The cast and crew of the UIL one-act play will present a free, public performance of their show, “Anne of a Thousand Days,” Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Canyon High School auditorium.

Directed by Kylie Howell, the UIL One-Act Play cast and crew were named alternate to bi-district at the March 10 district contest. Senior Maverick Evans and sophomore Kendall Carnahan earned all-star cast honors. Carnahan played the female lead, Anne Boleyn while Evans played the male lead, King Henry VIII.

“Henry has an affair with Mary Boleyn and notices her sister, Anne Boleyn. Although Anne is engaged, the king is determined to make her queen,” Carnahan said. “Henry then sends her fiance away. Anne hates him for it, so he promised to make her queen even though he is married to Catherine of Aragon.”

The play is a historical representation of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s marriage from 1503-1536. The play was originally a three-hour show, but was cut to a 40-minute interpretation for UIL.

“He learns of a law that can help him divorce Catherine to make it possible for Anne to become queen,” Carnahan said. “Anne then begins falling in love with Henry but she does not give him the male heir he wants. This leads to the downfall of Queen Anne.”

Carnahan said she relates to her character because she is not afraid to say what she is thinking.

“Anne is very headstrong,” Carnahan said. “She even stands up to Henry—what she wants, she wants and no one will get in her way.”

Evans has been involved in 14 plays and said he participates in the one-act play every year because it challenges him.

“My acting experience so far has been fun for the most part,” Evans said. “Every cast I have worked with has been enjoyable and through the characters I have portrayed, I have found out more about myself. Acting, as a form of expression, gives me satisfaction and purpose.”

Carnahan said theater has been her passion since she began acting as a child.

“I heard that one-act was an amazing experience and you get to meet so many new people,” Carnahan said. “One of the biggest parts in my life is my friends. Getting the chance to meet new people and have new friends was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Howell began teaching theater at the high school in October and assisted with the Canyon High School’s one-act play in spring of 2015 while she was student teaching with Dave Yirak. In her first year as a director, the district added two more schools to the district competition, resulting in eight schools competing for the top three advancing spots.

“Everyone on the team did a beautiful job,” Howell said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the show we put together.”