Jessica Ballard, left, and Lara Spence perform a scene from “I Remember Mama,” which the Forsan High School Drama Department will stage at the University Interscholastic League Class 1A Area One-Act Play Contest Saturday at Santa Anna High School.(Courtesy photo/Bob Fishback) 

For the first time in seven years, the FHS thespians will take their one-act play past the district level of competition when they stage “I Remember Mama” at the University Interscholastic League Class 1A Area Contest Saturday at Santa Anna High School.

John Van Druten’s “I Remember Mama” is a family comedy set in 1910 and it seems to fit the Forsan Drama Department strengths perfectly, Director Jim Rhodes said.

Forsan has survived two rounds of competition to reach this point, advancing past recent zone and district contests, Rhodes said.

Three Forsan students — seniors Alex Newsom and Claudia Jones and sophomore Kaleb Willey — were named to the district’s all-star cast, while junior Tessa Kendrick and sophomore Claudia Jones were honorable mention selections.

Sophomore Aaron Johnson was named the district’s outstanding crew technician.

This is the furthest a FHS play has advanced since 2001, which was the last time Forsan qualified for state-level competition.

While Rhodes is in no hurry to predict a repeat accomplishment this year, he thinks his current group of actors is a particularly strong ensemble.

“Basically, we picked a good script and we had a strong cast in the correct parts,” he said. “That is what I think is behind our success this year ... Sometimes, you get good chemistry and everything just gels. We’ve got one of those groups this year.”

And the judges to date have agreed with Rhodes’ assessment.

“Number one, they thought we had a very strong ensemble,” Rhodes said. “No one has won best actor or actress ... but everybody has contributed to the play’s success.”

With a step up in competition comes a corresponding rise in pressure and expectations, but Rhodes thinks his charges are up to the task.

“As you advance a couple of rounds, the confidence begins to build,” he said. “I think this group is more excited than scared, really ... Moving out of our comfort zone onto a new stage creates anxiety, sure, but that’s the challenge of it and the kids are ready to head out on the road.”

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it