The advanced theater arts class at Wakefield High School is putting on a production of "Soul Endeavors," an original musical one-act by teacher and director Chris Gillespie. The piece starts with the character Jamie, who goes between his childhood and present; reliving moments of distress and rationalizing with his sickly father, Herb. Jamie lets his mind fly as he interacts with the totems, Native American animals, who whisk him into a "Personal Wonderland." He encounters Steve, a friend of his older sister Diane, who instills some of his fears of being in tight spaces. His mother Joy and the Spirit of his Aunt Grace act as his guardians, realizing the stress Jamie is put under from being tortured by his father and foes. The show includes several dance numbers and feature songs. The final touches are being put on the closing song's lyrics by student Eunice Parker-Mann.
The debut of this production will be at the Virginia Theater Association conference, held at the Richmond Marriott on the weekend of Nov. 1. It will be entered into the annual Virginia Theatre Association one-act play festival that brings together 42 different high schools throughout the state of Virginia. Last year Wakefield presented "A Lady in Question" by Charles Busch which won Best Actor and Actress as well as other honors. The students get to take part in several workshops held by professionals, as well as watch productions from different theater groups. A dance and an awards banquet are planned for the weekend. Wakefield will perform 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, in Theater A.
The cast members of "Soul Endeavors" are Marion Te, Nabanjan Maitra, Kami Fox, Rebecca Garrison, Matthew Flemming, Gretel Truong, Charles Perry, Oscar Mendieta, Adam Lester, Kappy Anklam, Samiyyah Roberts, Dina Rodriguez, Eric Schiffer, Fabiola Chevarria, Marie Claflin, Christina Coakley, Reiko Ishikawa, Christopher Mueller, Nora O'Reilly, and Victor Wallace. Crew members are Eunice Parker-Mann, Victoria Smith and Peter Agostino.