A cautionary tale for the modern age as if it were from the minds of George Orwell, Ray Bradbury and Aldous Huxley, that is what the Alliance High School One-Act Team will be bringing to the stage when they perform Sweep Under Rug by Lindsay Price on Dec. 3 at the PAC at 6 p.m.
The performance, directed by Karena Soriano, features a society overrun by the Bobby Sue Program, an AI assistant that goes too far in its aid. Soriano explained that she was initially going to write a play for this season, but that when she found this play, she saw it as a perfect fit for the times.
“It’s like Siri or Alexa having too much power and taking control of society,” Soriano said. “I feel like it’s really good timing with all of the dependence on technology today, especially with students: the younger you are, I think the more interested you are in using technology. When I found this one and read it, I thought it was really intriguing, so I had a couple of students read it to see what they thought, and they were really excited about it.”
The team has already had two performances this season, and they will perform in Scottsbluff on Nov. 23, and in Sidney on Dec. 4, which will be their district competition. Soriano said she is hoping to take the performance to the state competition this year.
“It’s been really fun,” said Soriano. “With any production, there’s a lot of work. It requires an immense amount of dedication. We have several students who are extremely dedicated and who are here every time. So, that’s always exciting and encouraging. I’m trying really hard to build this program even bigger and stronger, and so it’s been really exciting to see the community support we’ve had with our fundraiser.”
The performance on Dec. 3 at the PAC will double as a fundraiser, and will feature a free-will donation, Soriano explained, encouraging the community to come show support for the One-Act Program.
“I think that the amount of dedication that it takes, I think it’s different when you are in a sport, there’s a lot of crowd participation and you get a lot of feedback, and people love to go watch sports,” Soriano said. “For theater, it’s a little bit different, we have a one and done situation, so I just really encourage the community to come out and see what these kids have been working so hard to accomplish this season, because it’s incredible the amount of work ethic they have. It’s inspiring.”
Karlena Heredia, who plays Ariel, explained that her character is initially a big supporter of the Bobby Sue Program but she comes to learn the truth about the program throughout the course of the play. Conrad, who is performed by Anden Weingart, is the leader of the resistance against the Bobby Sue Program, Weingart explained. Peytann Lunbery performs as an inhabitant, who takes part in the revolution, working to take down the Bobby Sue Program. Ryleigh Mashburn performs as Bobby Sue herself, a mass-manufactured robot that thinks for the people she serves, Mashburn explained. Counsellor Kelly, performed by Callie Robbins, oversees the Bobby Sue Program.
Robbins explained that the play serves as a caution for people to not let technology overrun their lives. She said that being part of One Act has given her the opportunity to learn new lessons.
“Don’t be constantly on your screen, don’t let your phone control your day,” said Robbins. “I really like being part of the play, because I feel like it teaches me a lot of real-life lessons. Like it teaches me I need to speak louder because I have a quiet voice. It teaches me patience a lot of times. I think just being more expressive in general.
Mashburn said the play also warns about the overreach of AI in everyday life.
“There’s this big problem with Gen. AI, and ChatGPT and stuff, taking a lot of jobs away from people, as well as, people not thinking for themselves, with students using ChatGPT to write whole essays for them, and people using ChatGPT to finish off their favorite book series, which is definitely a problem, which should not be happening. Support writers,” said Mashburn. “There is a line from one of the main characters, Miranda, she says, ‘There is no more place for poetry,’ and it’s kind of just all encompassing for creativity, and I think that also relates to AI and how it is replacing creative jobs like animation, and reporters and screenwriters and scriptwriters and authors and all these people.”
Lunbery said the play is a thought provoking one, serving as a way for people to think about the role of technology in their everyday lives. Lunberry explained that One Act has given her the opportunity to experience new things.
“I feel like it’s just a warning to let people think about how they’re using technology and not letting it influence them too much,” Lunbery said. “For me, One Act is really fun, being on the stage, getting to know how you’re going to play your character you get, because she (Soriano) decides what character you’re going to get, and you get to build it from the ground up. It’s really fun and I enjoy hanging out with all the people that do it.”
Weingart sees parallels between the play and the real world, in that technology still plays a role in everyday life, despite the negative issues associated with it. Weingart said that performing in One Act has provided many opportunities.
“I also feel like, as much as Bobby Sue in the play is a spy for the Counsellors, she also does help out, so it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a place,” said Weingart. “I’ve met a lot of very nice people through the production. The story also does teach us a lesson.”
Heredia referenced one of her lines in the play, noting that thinking for one’s self is important, which is why the reliance on AI needs to be examined.
“It’s basically explaining that we cannot let AI, with how much progression it’s had, overrule us,” Heredia said. “Like with these self-driving cars, and these freaky robots, it’s definitely getting in the way. It’s taking away jobs. It is taking away peoples’ talents, because, ‘Robots can do it.’ I think people definitely need the warning that it is going to override and the play definitely shows a good example of that. The play tells a very meaningful story that I agree with in perspective.”
Talan Johnson, helped design the set. He said it was a great experience, especially making the posters as props.
“It’s really cool,” said Johnson. “I made the posters. I’m excited.”
Robbins, Mashburn, Lunbery, Weingart and Heredia recognized the stage crew for all of their hard work in helping bring the play to life, as well as the Soriano and Assistant Director Noah Cagle. They also expressed their gratitude to the Red Nest family for helping them raise funds for a trailer to haul their props to the competitions.
