Kai Pitcher’s ‘The Final Chapter’ brings home silver
Skyla Carrier (Death) and Kai Pitcher (Old Man). CANDI JONETH/Boothbay Register
Candi Joneth, News Contributor
For the second year in a row, Boothbay Region High School Drama was awarded runner-up in Class B competition at the One Act Regional Festival at Freeport High School March 8 and 9, bringing home another trophy and two individual student honors.
Kai Pitcher received a student writer award and playwright recognition for “The Final Chapter,” an original play written by Pitcher and performed by the BRHS Drama Club. The performance of the play won the club first runner-up in overall competition and the silver trophy for Class B schools (ones with fewer than 450 students). Suzie Edwards, for her role as Charlotte (Lottie), was honored with an All Festival Cast acting award.
The play tells the emotional story of Old Man (Pitcher), reflecting on his life as its ending. Old Man is visited by Death (Skyla Carrier) and tours events of his life, wrestling with themes of past regrets, early childhood pressures to be the “man of the house” after his father died, and taking care of a mother (Hannah Hills) with Alzheimer’s disease. Old Man comes to terms with losing the love of his life, Michael (Matthew Little) who was not content keeping their love secret. Young Boy (Titan Lewis) foreshadows the story’s final positivity – that we have hopeful and inspirational impact on one another, often unnoticed, but always there.
The story is braided with scenes linked by Old Man’s childhood teddy bear, best friend Lottie, and carefully crafted freeze frames that allow narration to shift between dialogue and monologue. The set had furnishings, a hospital bed and a series of doors.
“I wanted something real and uncensored. (The play) is dedicated to my father (Shawn Pitcher) who died three years ago. I wondered if he had regrets. I wanted to write about someone who’s about to die, (asking) if they could have lived differently, realizing that they wouldn’t. I interviewed many people in similar circumstances and learned, the closer you are to death, the happier you become – that there’s no need to hold on to regrets,” said Pitcher.
Pitcher thanked BRHS English teacher Mike Cherry for encouraging and supporting their writing. “I’m so proud of Kai. I can’t take much credit – they’ve always been extremely talented – but it’s been an honor and a pleasure to be their English teacher these last three years,” wrote Cherry.
Production staff included Mary Miller, director, set designer; Susie Taylor, technical director; Justine Marshall, stage manager; Chau Nguyen, Finn Gaffney and Ivory Cody, stagehands; Chip Schwehm, set construction oversight; Colby Allen and Charlee Fuchswanz, lighting; Sarah Harris and Eleanor Marshall, sound; Sawyer Blake and Lee Pangburn, costumes; Pitcher, makeup and T-shirt design; with Miki Saito’s “Jesu Bambino” music.
Belfast Area High School won Class B and will advance to the finals with “Of Winners, Losers & Games,” based on the book by O.B. Rozell. Lincoln Academy won Class A and will advance to the state final with “The Legend of Jim Cullen” by Griff Braley. Find a complete list of awards and accolades at https://www.facebook.com/medramafest/
The competition is sponsored by Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Drama Council. The annual event draws about 80 schools, more than 2,000 high school students, to encourage high school theater and giving dedicated young performers the chance to see the best work of others who have the same passion for the stage.
Judges for the regional competition were Philip Hackett, Joshua Veilleux and Linda Rice. Mara Dale, festival host; Ben Potvin, festival technical director; Enoch Boudreau and Henry Haverkamp, festival tech assistants; Heather Mitchell, Maine Drama Council; and Tom Heath, Maine Principals’ Association.
