OSMOND — The Osmond High School one-act cast and crew play for 2025 is "Fertile Ground," writ ten by William Ryan and directed by Robin Wagner and Patricia Marks.
In the play, Mendenhall Manor, a psychiatric hospital for young girls, is home to Dr. Joseph Mendenhall, played by Jack Berg; his wife, Madeline Mendenhall, played by Meagan Wagner; and his daughter, Susanne, played by Erin Aschoff.
Mendenhall Manor seems to be quiet and peaceful until someone goes missing.
As the play opens, the audience is introduced to the eerie ambiance of the Manor, where patients/spirits, Carrianna Kumm, Riley Williams, Charley Aschoff, Delilah Koehler, Deanna Kumm, Addison Miller, Ava Severson, Ashlyn Spangler, Addison von Rentzell, Korrine Moes, Kenley Friedrich, Sunny Geneski, Adalyn Koehler, Evynn Kumm, Nevaeh Newton, and Clara Steinkraus seem to watch their every move.
The stage is set with dim lighting, evoking a sense of impending doom.
Dr. Mendenhall is determined to maintain his reputation and financial stability after his patient, a troubled young woman named Irene, played by Piper Hoffman, goes missing.
Unbeknownst to the sheriff, Ka- leb Gardner and his deputies, Easton Steinkraus and Drake Kingham, the story of the missing patient twists into a narrative that positions the doctor to claim a large insurance policy.
However, the doctor is not alone in his dark ambition. His daughter Susanne and his brother Robert, played by Donovan Heiman, along with the well-trained maid of the Manor, Kaleigh Miller, assist him in weaving a web of deceit and lies.
Tension rises when the family lawyer, played by Alexa Aschoff, discovers the truth behind the wealth of the Manor. In the climax, the fates of Mendenhall Manor culminate in a choice of greed and integrity.
"Fertile Ground" ultimately exposes the sinister underbelly of a quest for power. This powerful cast and technical crew, consisting of John Broekemeier, Caleb Vinson, Adyson Poellot, Dawson Gansebom, Katarina Miller, Tren ton Wiseley, and Erica Northcutt, performed at the Creighton Festival on Nov. 7 and the Lutheran High Festival on Nov. 15, placing third out of eight schools.
Conference Play Production was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Wausa. The public performance will be on Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m., with a free will donation.
Districts will take place on Tues- day, Dec. 2, at O'Neill St. Mary's, with a performance time set for 3:15 p.m.
Members of the cast include, back row: Drake Kingham (left), Ashlyn Spangler, Ava Severson, Addison von Rentzell, Charley Aschoff, Delilah Koehler, Nevaeh Newton, Sunny Geneski, Kenley Friedrich; middle row: Katarina Miller, John Broekemeier, Adyson Poellot, Caleb Visnon, Easton Steinkrause, Kaleb Gardner, Alexa Aschoff, Erin Aschoff, Jack Berg, Meagan Wagner, Carriana Kumm, Addison Miller, Korrine Moes, Dawson Gansebom, Trenton Wiseley; front row: Clara Steinkraus, Deanna Kumm, Riley Williams, Piper Hoffman, Kaleigh Miller, Donovan Heiman, Adalyn Koehler, Evynn Kumm
