The Searcy high school drama department has recently returned with a victory from a tournament, and is now preparing the play “The Balkan Women,” for the Thespian Festival.

The Festival is four day study in all things acting.

“To prepare we’re doing some really long rehearsals,” explains drama student Sarah Swain. “We’ll go from right after school at 3:30 until 5-5:30 depending on schedules and stuff.”

This play focuses mainly on the odd characters, and this lets the drama students enjoy their eccentric costumes and makeup.

“I get to play a guy,” says Ann Marie Temple. “I get to wear the awesome makeup, I get the deep voice; nobody’s really expecting a girl to play a man.”

Although the students are having a fun time during rehearsal, they have to work hard to meet the stringent time constraints and hope they do not go over their allotted time.

“We’re going to perform,” states Swain. “It has got to be under forty-five minutes and they shut the lights off. So, if we go over we are kind of done.”

Since the students will be staying four days and studying about anything acting related, there are certain classes they can take if they are particularly interested in that aspect of drama.

“I am mostly excited about doing this play,” beams Cruz Bright. “But, I am  also excited about taking different classes like stage fighting and different stuff like that.”

Swain, dressed as a ghost, relishes “What I am most focused on in the makeup classes; I am the makeup artist.”

This particular show is filled with several interesting and unexpected turns.

These twists are bound to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

“I am most excited to perform,” conveys Temple, who is quite anxious and giddy about the audiences reaction to the play. “I think our play is really intense and will really catch the viewer’s eye. I think they’re going to like it a lot.”

Be sure to attend the drama departments next play “Alice and Wonderland” coming to you this April.