Plains Drama Club stages 'The Apiary'
TRACY SCOTT Valley Press | Valley Press-Mineral Independent | UPDATED 5 days, 12 hours AGO
Plains High School students Cecilia Harris Claire Lakkko portray lab scientists during the school play "The Apiary." (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Ashley Ferlan portrays Gwen the lab director in the play "The Apiary." (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Plains sophomore Emma Dimond plays her part as a victim in a science experiment gone wrong. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Shay Nelson plays Charles, the first victim of a lab experiment gone wrong. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
The play must go on — and last Friday evening, it certainly did.
Despite the first major storm of the season, Plains School District opened its student production of "The Apiary" to an audience of more than 40 people who braved the weather to support the Plains Drama Club.
The play, written by Kate Douglas, was directed by local resident Terry Henry with assistance from Cathy Emmett. Henry reviewed three different scripts before ultimately choosing "The Apiary."
Set in a future where honeybees are nearly extinct, the story centers on a research lab responsible for protecting the few remaining hives and rebuilding the population. Zora, played by Cecilia Harris, is an overqualified researcher pressured by her new boss, Gwen (Ashley Ferlan), to find a solution to the declining bee population.
Zora and her lab assistant, Pilar (Claire Lakko), discover a breakthrough linked to the death of cancer patient Charles, played by Shay Nelson. As more cancer victims emerge, Zora and Pilar are forced to confront just how far they are willing to go to continue their success.
The cast included Shay Nelson as Charles and Karl; Cecilia Harris as Zora; Claire Lakko as Pilar; Ashley Ferlan as Gwen; and Emma Dimond as Anna and Bryn. Lighting was managed by Stanley Decker.
“I think this group of kids have put their heart and soul into bringing these characters to life,” Henry said. “I am extremely proud of what they have done.”
Audience member Judy Foster added, “I thought they did a wonderful job. It was well worth coming even though it was snowing.”
Special thanks were given to teacher Ken Nelson for his support and to Carol Smith for providing the bee props.
Ashley Ferlan portrays Gwen the lab director in the play "The Apiary." (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Plains sophomore Emma Dimond plays her part as a victim in a science experiment gone wrong. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Shay Nelson plays Charles, the first victim of a lab experiment gone wrong. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)