Sandy High School (SHS) sophomore Carl Nelson may be in his first year of
theater, but he’s not shy about finding ways to be involved. As part of the
school’s upcoming One Act Competition Showcase, Nelson is directing one,
acting in another and running the lights for the four other plays.

“I really enjoy it because not only do I get the perspective of acting ... it’s a lot
of fun to do the directing,” said Nelson, who is also the school’s auditorium
manager. “I get to piece the story together with movement and voice and
tone.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Nelson noted the most difficult part of his efforts is
the scheduling and figuring out where he needs to be and what times he
needs to be there. Nelson is directing “April Showers,” a play set in a
silverware basket where a new utensil is introduced, while acting in
“Loyalties,” a play set in Nazi Germany where his character’s views on war
and politics conflict with others.

Drama teacher Tomi Griffin noted the showcase is a preview of the pieces that
will compete for a spot at the Oregon State Thespian Festival, held March 31
through April 2 at the Salem Convention Center.

In past years, there were no performances for the local supporters, but Griffin
wanted to pull back the curtain and share the pieces the students have
worked on.

“I love for the community to see what kinds of things get taken to competition
and what it’s like to go to competition,” Griffin said, noting 36 students are
performing and just one of the plays will get to go to the state competition.
Griffin added that she tries to let the students do all the work on the shows,
including directing, but will jump in if there are major problems.

“I have to let them have their directorial space,” she said. “They’re in charge
of their own bit.”

Trinity Rodrigues, a 16-year-old junior, is directing “The Square,” a play set
on a playground where a group of sixth grade students encounter a strange
square, causing a conflict among friends.

“The square is one unit and they’re all talking in monotone, (so) anything that
one person does everyone else does,” Rodrigues said. “That’s the challenge, is
getting them to coordinate together.”

“I’m very excited about it,” she added. “It’s going to be very good.”

SHS Drama presents the One Act Competition Showcase at 7 p.m. March 4, 5,
10, 11 and 12, at 37400 SE Bell Street in Sandy. Tickets are $5 for adults and
$4 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call 503-668-8011,
ext. 7313.

Classic murder mystery in Boring
Agatha Christie’s “Mousetrap” is known to have the longest initial run of any
play in history, with more than 25,000 performances since it opened on
London’s West End in 1952. The play, about a group of strangers - including
an unknown murderer - stranded in a snowstorm, is also known for its
surprise ending and for the request that theatergoers not share that surprise
to ruin the play for others.

Boring’s Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company (NNB) will offer a production of the
classic this month, with the actors keeping true to the tradition of not spilling
the beans about the end. Kim Berger, playing Mrs. Boyle, noted that was
made clear as early as auditions for the production, which meant she had to
play coy with her husband at times.

“I’m looking forward to opening night because I’m waiting for that moment
when the big reveal happens,” she said.

Berger, a regular with NNB who has performed in more than 25 shows there,
added that Christie has a knack for creating fun characters.

“What’s great fun about the Agatha Christie plays is everybody is quirky and
everybody has secrets,” Berger said. “You start to tell through people’s
behaviors that everybody is hiding something.”

Berger, who has also performed in other area theaters including Sandy Actors
Theatre and the Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego, sees NNB as a
hidden treasure in Boring.

“I just cannot tell you what an honor it is for me to be a part of Nutz-n-Boltz,”
she said. “I have such high regard for this theater and I’m always thrilled
when a new person discovers us.”

NNB presents “The Mousetrap,” by Agatha Christie, from March 4-20 at the
Boring Grange, 27861 Grange Street in Boring. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15. For more
information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit
nnbtheater.com.