After a successful competition season, the UIL One-Act Play cast will be performing their show, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest one last time. They will perform tonight at 7 p.m. in the performing arts center.

The UIL One-Act Play cast advanced from district to the bi-district competition after a thrilling performance in which they were ranked third by a panel of judges.

For many cast members, it was their first time being in an advancing show. Even for whom it wasn’t, it was still an exciting experience.

“I was ecstatic.” sophomore James Pate said. “It was my first time advancing in high school. Everybody in the cast was super excited. I really enjoyed performing in this show. I was happy we were able to do it again.”

Many students received awards at both competitions. The whole cast was surprised when junior Elissa Turner, a cast member with no lines, received honorable mention for all-star cast.

“It was very odd,” Turner said. “It still hasn’t registered with me, but it’s probably one of my biggest achievements. I really couldn’t have done it without the rest of their and their encouragement. Their advice and constructive criticism helped me get to where I am.”

There were so many award winners that many of them had no idea how to feel.

“I’ve been in crew before, but this is my first time being a stage manager,” junior Kolby Sebastian said. “I have loved this whole process. It felt like all of my hard work had finally paid off. It was very rewarding.”

With their last show coming up, some cast members were feeling sentimental.

“I feel like this is going to be real closure for the show,” junior Brody McNew said. “It’s been a really fun show. I feel like I really connected with the cast this year. I’m kind of sad that it’s our last performance, but I know it’ll be good, and we’ll give it our all. I’m really going to miss a lot of these people.”

With the seniors in the cast passing the torch to the next group of young student actors, some had final words to send them on their way.

“When I first got here, I was really nervous,” senior Joshua Brookshire said. “I was in a cast of all seniors. Since then I’ve watched a lot of really good actors graduate. I feel like I’m leaving this department in a better place than where it started. Most of the kids here are really talented, and I’m happy to see what they can come up with.”