The Okarche production of “And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson” by Jim Leonard, Jr., will compete in the Leedey regional of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association one-act play contest for the opportunity to advance to the state finals.
The play tells the story of Elizabeth Willow, a young girl growing up in a small town in Indiana. Confined to a wheelchair but having the same hopes and dreams of others, she eventually is forced to realize prejudice of the town and its people.
Twenty-two OHS students are involved in the play, including seniors Kenzie Beard, Geneva (Marley) Hill, Emily Neuenschwander, Kaylea Steelman, and McKenzie Stewart. Members of the junior class in the cast are Kylie Bailey, Riley Black, Michael Dunkin, Wyatt Lovins, Brody Sadler, Madison Schaefer, and Emma Stover.
The play also features the following sophomores: Rylie Bomhoff, Chloe Goble, Reagan Marler, Jace Rother, Ethan Schroder, Anna Shirey, Afton Shirey, and Suzann Smith. Zoe Palmer and Harper White, freshmen, appear in the production.
A top-three finish in the October 7 competition would advance Okarche to the state contest on Saturday, October 30.