by Dennis Dalman
A one-act play performed by Sartell-St. Stephen High School students achieved the virtual equivalent of a grand slam when it won the top honor for Class 8AA in the state’s one-act play festival.
It is the first ever “Starred Performance” award in Sartell High School’s history.
The name of the play is “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” which is based upon a classic children’s novel by Kate DiCamillo. It’s the story of a self-centered toy rabbit named Edward Tulane who begins an awakening journey, meeting many people along the way from which he learns about love, its loss and finding the courage to love again.
About a week earlier, the play’s production won at the sectionals, sending it on its way to state competition in Class AA. It was only the second time a Sartell High School one-act play made it to the state festival. The last time was in 2010.
“Performing at the O’Shaughnessy and watching all of the other performances was such a memorable experience,” the play’s director, Kelli Killmer told the Newsleader. “Receiving the Spotlight on the Arts Award for Excellence is truly an incredible honor. Everyone involved in this production worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. To have all of our efforts culminate in the highest honor a one-act play can receive, there really are no words to express our gratitude and joy.”
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” was performed Feb. 9 at the state festival held in O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University, St. Paul. It was one of eight plays performed that day in the Class AA division. Four of those plays were honored as “Starred Performances,” Sartell’s for Class 8AA and three other high schools: Irondale (Class 4AA), Prior Lake (2AA) and Park High School in Cottage Grove (3AA).
The previous day there were also eight one-act plays performed in the Class A division with two of them rated as “Starred Performances.”
After its triumphant honor at state, “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” was again performed for the public the evening of Feb. 14 at Sartell High School.
Killmer is a 1999 graduate of Sartell High School. She eventually returned to Sartell and served as musical director for the high school’s spring play of 2010. She has been directing plays at Sartell High School since 2015. Killmer earned a bachelor’s degree in theater and English literature from Concordia College, Moorhead. She also works as an evaluator for the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Education program.
In a Feb. 2 Newsleaders story written by reporter Conner Sura, Director Killmer described the play as “family-friendly, lighthearted and heartwarming.”
The cast included 20 students, as well as stage crew members. Most of the actors are seniors and freshmen with a few sophomores.
Sura asked Killmer about the play’s chances of advancing to sectionals and the state festival.
“I tend to not get my hopes up about it because I don’t like to be disappointed,” Killmer said. “But the thing we all look forward to at competition is seeing all of the other schools’ performances, meeting them and creating community with that.”
The cast members of “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” are (in alphabetical order) Ellena Ashby, Lucy Conda, Sereen Dodin, Kate Fergen, Elliott Hammer, Emmerson Hewett, Jack Hill, Greta Keirgaard, Alix Knudson, Lindsey Nelson, Kenna Ohlenkamp, Kelse Orjansen, Wyatt Oxton, Elliot Piel, Kaia Rieder, Hannah Rivard, Mallory Thueringer, Renee Wilson, Amariyah Wright and Aryka VanVickle.
Elliott Hammer and Kate Fergen, both Sartell High School seniors, perform a scene from “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” the school’s one-act ply that won with one another play at the sectionals competition recently, allowing for the play’s performance at the state level. Hammer also composed music for the play.
Kelli Killmer
