Powell High School students in the NWC Acting II class will perform the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” at the Nelson Performing Arts auditorium at Northwest College at 7:00 pm on Friday, April 1. Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for students at the door.

The play follows the lives of people in a small town in Maine with a collection of scenes that tell an overarching story through multiple stories about a place. The students have been rehearsing for 6 weeks and are preparing for the big day.

“Performance days are always chaotic,” junior Hannah Sears said. “There’s always a lot of excitement and anxiety about finally performing for a live audience, but that all disappears after you spend a few minutes on stage.” 

Preparation has looked different due to the new performance location. This is the smallest cast most of the actors have worked with, and they aren’t using microphones. However, it’s a new experience for these students, and many are excited to see how it plays out. 

“I expect performance day to go pretty well,” Theatre and English teacher Mr. Robert Hunt said. “This is the first time [this class] has done a play at the college, so I’m hoping to get a big turnout. I think it should go well.”

Out of the 12 actors who will be performing this weekend, one shares the importance of theatre to her. Sears, who has been doing theater productions since her freshman year, recognizes theater as a huge part of her life. 

“I’ve always been interested in theatre, but since being in Hunt’s classes and performing in all these shows it’s become a key part of my life,” Sears said. “Acting has made me so much more confident in myself and comfortable around people, so it’s hard to imagine my life without theatre.” 

Other actors agree that their love for theatre is strong, and that it holds much importance to them. Sophomore Joe Bucher, who plays 3 different roles, also has experience with theatre and loves performing.

“I love acting and it’s a huge part of my life,” Bucher said. “I have made tons of memories and friends through theatre, and I am super excited for this show.”