The UIL one-act play cast and crew will perform “These Shining Lives” at the district contest Friday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Amarillo College Concert Hall theater after advancing from zone Thursday, March 1.

The team received multiple awards at the zone contest including Best Actor for senior Jaren Tankersley, All-Star Cast for senior Emily Tull and junior Kendall Carnahan, and Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for senior Jonathan Castro and junior Natalie Davis. Theater teacher Kylie Howell directs the play with assistance from Canyon Junior High theater teacher Julie Solomon.

“I am excited to polish everything,” Howell said. “I am just really proud of everyone because they worked hard, and it showed.”

The cast and crew will resume normal rehearsals this week for competition Friday.

“After every show, the judges critique the show and tell you what was good and what wasn’t,” Tankersley said. “We want to focus on making sure the right things stick and work on fixing the things that are wrong.”

Tull, the female lead of the show, is in the third one-act play of her high school career.

“My sophomore year, the cast were some of the best people I have ever met, and we were close,” Tull said. “We are still close, so the relationship with the people is what has kept in me in theater and my love for performing.”

“These Shining Lives” tells the story of the women who worked at the Radium Dial Company and how they changed labor laws in Illinois.

“This show is very important and relates to what is going on in the real world,” Tull said. “It is such a powerful piece for women, because the women in this piece have such strong parts. Even though they are sick and dying, they still fight for what is right. It is such a powerful piece. I think everyone needs to watch.”

Tull said theater helped her boost her confidence by being on stage, and her favorite part is the people.

“Creating relationships with fellow actors and techs is something you can not trade for anything.” Tull said. “The experience you gain in creating a story with people you love is completely special.”