Posted on

Cimarron High School at Drama Fest

The Cimarron High School  Drama Club participated in the 2020 Drama Fest at Eastern New Mexico University this weekend. The club comprised of eight students and their advisor performed the one-act play, “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors.” While at the event, the students also participated in workshops designed to help them develop their skills.

For their efforts the Drama Club was recognized with an award of excellence for casting. Probably the most impressive part of this accomplishment is the students were self-directed for a couple of weeks while their advisor (teacher) was unable to be at school due to a medical issue with her daughter.

“I’m not going to allow your stupid phone from letting me do what I have been entrusted to do.” Casting Director to the Assistant Casting Director during “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors at ENMU DramaFest.”
“It’s not a stupid phone it’s a SMART phone.”
Bringing your acting coach to an audition isn’t likely to be well received, particularly if he is giving you advice during the audition, and the advice isn’t that good to start with.
Just channel your inner Rocky Balboa doing Romeo and Juliette. I can’t see it either.
This free spirit promised to maybe memorize the lines as long as she was the main girl. Sort of.
Method actors will do what ever it takes to get the role and deliver the scene. Can’t say the assistant casting director was all that excited about his part in the audition.
“If I tell you I am doing a monologue and I do a modern dance piece, will you be angry with me?”
Posted on

Cimarron High School Drama Club

Eight students under the direction of Miss Fleming, who is actually the High School Science teacher but has a heart for the theater, are in Portales at Eastern New Mexico for the 65th annual ENMU Drama Festival. They will be performing a short, one-act play called, “Bad Auditions for Bad Actors” on Thursday, February 20th in the ENMU Theater.

Over the last few months the students have raised more than $2,000 to pay for the materials to produce their play and to cover the costs to travel to the festival.

Here are some images from their rehearsals and a public performance prior to arriving at ENMU.

Performing before a live audience in Cimarron as a final dress rehearsal.
Front row seats are hard to come by here in the cafeteria.
Method actor at work here
The audience enjoyed the performance.
“What have you done to my Juliette?”
“That was either the best or the worse audition ever.”
“Just let me warm up and I will be ready for my audition.”
“If I say monologue and do a modern dance number, will you be mad?

I’ll post some samples from their performance next time.

Posted on

Cimarron High School Basketball

As many of you may know I teach a broadcast production class at Cimarron High School. We spend our time in class learning how to broadcast volleyball, basketball and select special events. This winter the broadcasting students have broadcast more than 20 games via our school’s Facebook page via Facebook Live.

Generally the productions go off without any major problems but one night we had a complete hardware meltdown and our Tricaster 425 Plus died. We were very lucky in that the Marketing Manager at Philmont Scout Ranch was willing to loan us his Sling production equipment so we could get on the air. Now it wouldn’t seem like being on the air is all that big a deal until you consider we have more than 50 people that regularly view our broadcasts and they can be found all over the United States, Europe and as far away as New Zealand.

I’m very proud of the production kids and all of the hard work they put in to getting us on the air for each Varsity game.

 

Here is an interview with our coach following a big District win.

Posted on

43rd Annual Shovel Races – Angel Fire New Mexico

Imagine sitting on an aluminum snow shovel and sliding down a mountain at 60 – 70 miles per hour. Well for 43 years people have been doing just that on the slopes of the Angel Fire Ski Resort. Unfortunately, my first visit to the World Famous Shovel Races looks like it will be the last time the event is being held. Organizers have said that lack of interest from participants, spectators and sponsors have forced them to make the difficult decision to cancel the event after this year. A decision that isn’t setting well with everyone.

  Customized shovels and signs supporting the return of the Shovel Races in 2021
Riders customize the look of their shovel to reflect their tastes and personality,
With the announcement of the final shovel races, participants and spectators showed up to demonstrate their support.

I spoke with a few racers about why they liked to shovel race and here’s what they said.

Shovel racing certainly isn’t for everyone, and some start younger than others but none the less, it can be a family affair and for me, an opportunity I won’t likely get a chance to try anytime soon.

With Speeds up to 65 MPH it takes a special person to ride a shovel down a ski hill
Getting started early probably helps in the long term development of a snow shovel rider.
The Angel Fire Trail Maintenance crew worked hard all day to keep the course in safe condition.
Some people stick with the basic shovel design.
It’s too bad organizers have decided to pull the plug on this unique and local event. Maybe someone will come along and be the catalyst to bring it back in 2021.

Link to Shovel Race Story on YouTube