The cast and crew of Westfield High School’s 2021 UIL One-Act Play Contest production, “Eclipsed.”

Last spring, in the weeks before COVID-19 shut down school buildings and school-related activities across Texas, the Mustang Players at Westfield High School were on a roll, with their entry in the UIL One-Act Play Contest advancing steadily through the competition and looking likely to be a state contender. The pandemic brought the 2020 UIL One-Act Play Contest to a halt, but the Westfield students have rallied, and are now headed to the Regional Finals with their 2021 production of “Eclipsed,” written by Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright Danai Gurira.

Their Regional Finals performance will take place on Friday, April 16 at University High School in Waco, but friends, family and community members have a chance to cheer the troupe on at special in-person, socially distanced performances this week, including at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 9, at the Westfield High School Performing Arts Center, 16713 Ella Blvd. Tickets are still available for Friday’s performance, and can be purchased ahead of time for $7 apiece online at http://our.show/eclipsed. Note that the play is suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over.

“Eclipsed” tells the story of five Liberian women and their tale of survival near the end of the Second Liberian Civil War, With its contemporary setting – the war ended in 2003 – and its intense subject matter, the play offered a perfect chance for the Westfield group to stretch themselves and to shine while exploring difficult themes, according to Westfield High School Director of Theatre Monet Salone.

“It’s about their struggle, so there’s laughter, there’s a little bit of everything, but it really gets serious. It’s really a play for mature audiences,” said Salone, adding that the students have received positive comments from UIL judges about their sensitive, mature portrayal of the play’s complicated themes and sometimes-disturbing subject matter. “I like to pick things that challenge them, and these kids are handling this material really, really well.”

Westfield senior Paulina Castaneda, who is the light technician and assistant stage manager for the show, said she had enjoyed watching the performance evolve from her vantage point in the lighting booth, adding that the play – which earned five Tony Award nominations and one win during its original Broadway run – offered a powerful message.

“Honestly, I just think it’s such an amazing story that needed to be told,” Castaneda said. “That’s what I love about the productions that Ms. Salone chooses. There’s always a deep meaning behind the story.”

Like other students involved in the production, Castaneda was also glad for the chance to get together with classmates and friends to work on the project.

“It feels so amazing. I missed doing this so much,” she said. “It was just so great being able to come every day, get out of the house, and also do something that I love so much. It really struck up some passion that I hadn’t felt in a while.”

Senior Genievre Thomas-Alexis, who plays the role of Bessie, was also glad to be able to perform together with her classmates before graduation.

“It’s definitely been an amazing experience to be able to come back,” Thomas-Alexis said. “We do have to wear masks and we do have to keep safe and keep a safe distance from each other, but it made me realize how much theater has changed my life.”

As a remote learner, Thomas-Alexis echoed others who said they had jumped at the chance to join the production earlier this semester.

“When I had the opportunity to be able to do this UIL show again, I ran with it,” she said. “I was so excited to be able to come up here and be with my family again, and it’s just been amazing.”

Salone said the troupe has high hopes for the Regional Finals on April 16, but added that the journey has already been a rewarding one.

“I’m just excited for my kids, who have worked so hard to get to this point,” Salone said. “At the end of the day, it’s always about the kids, and making sure they have everything that they need and everybody has a good time doing it. So, I’m just proud of my students, and I’m just happy to be representing Spring ISD again in the regional competition.” 

The production has already garnered a number of acting and technical awards at the Zone B, District and Bi-District levels, listed below.

Zone B 14-6A UIL One-Act Play Contest awards:

• 1st place out of 6 schools
• Best Performer – Brooke Branch for the role of #2 Maima
• All-Star Cast – Morgan Williams for the role of #1 Helena
• All-Star Cast – Su’fi Springer for the role of The Girl
• Honorable Mention All-Star Cast – Genievre Thomas-Alexis for the role of #3 Bessie
• Best Technical Student – Paulina Castaneda

District 14-6A UIL One-Act Play Contest Awards:

• All-Star Cast – Brooke Branch for the role of #2 Maima
• All-Star Cast – Morgan Williams for the role of #1 Helena
• Honorable Mention All-Star Cast – Su’fi Springer for the role of The Girl
• Honorable Mention All-Star Cast – Genievre Thomas-Alexis for the role of #3 Bessie
• Best Technical Student – Kayuana Scott

Bi-District 13 & 14-6A UIL One-Act Play Contest awards:

• 2 Schools of 6 advanced to Regionals (Westfield and GW Carver)
• Best Performer – Morgan Williams for the role of #1 Helena
• All-Star Cast – Brooke Branch for the role of #2 Maima
• All-Star Cast – Genievre Thomas-Alexis for the role of #3 Bessie
• Honorable Mention All-Star Cast – Su’fi Springer for the role of The Girl
• Best Technical Student – Fabian Potts