Triston Pullen works on his lines in the upcoming SSMS production of "The Imaginary Invalid."

 

SS Middle School One Act Play
Rehearsing For District Competition

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Summer White works on her part, in "The Imaginary Invalid," while Katelyn Holt, in the background, is ready
to begin her part.

 

Sulphur Springs Middle School Theater Arts students are busy working four days per week, after school, as they rehearse lines, master accents, and prepare the staging for the upcoming production of "An Imaginary Invalid," by French playwright, Moliere. The production will be the SSMS's entry in the UIL One Act Play competition, later in the month.

"An Imaginary Invalid" is about a miser, Argan, who imagines himself sick, when he is not, and he sticks to any instructions given him by his doctor. His doctors milk his hypochondria for all it is worth, which leads eventually to their demise. Argan wants his daughter, Angelique to marry a doctor, so he can get free medical care, even though she is already in love with Cleante. Together with Argan's maid, Toinette, his brother, Beralde, attempts to cure Argan of his fixation on doctors. Together, they convince him to play dead, in order to find out who is really loyal to him. As it turns out, Argan's second wife is only after his money, whereas his daughter truly loved him. After he revives, of the supposed death, Angelique is free to marry whomever she chooses.

"It is the most difficult play on the list of those approved for middle school students," advised drama teacher, Amanda Brandenburg. "The students must master dialect and have some very difficult parts to learn! It has been a challenge and students are learning that it takes hours of practice and demands much dedication to appear on stage!

 

 

Summer White pauses as she tries to remember part of her lines.

 

There are 18 SSMS students who make up the cast and crew, and they continue to work toward a presentation for parents and the public, here in Sulphur Springs, on February 20th, at 6:00 p.m., in the Middle School Cafetorium. Then they will be advancing to District Competition, in Hallsville, Texas, on February 27th, to see how they have done, compared to other schools in the district.

"We've still got lots of work and practice, but things are coming together," explained Brandenburg. "We'll be ready and hopefully place well, with the difficulty of the challenge that we have undertaken."

"The stage crew is also working very hard, as in UIL Competition, the props and everything have to be exact, and is timed to make certain that you don't go over even a second," continued Brandenburg. "The students are really learning what it takes to produce a UIL quality production!"

 

 

"An Imaginary Invalid" will be presented to the public, in Sulphur Springs, on February 20th.

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