However, these warriors will compete on a stage, and their war will only last about 40 minutes.

Temple High School’s one-act play “Valhalla” will hit the state competition today at the University of Texas in Austin at the 5A UIL contest.

The school won the contest in 2007 with “Ruthless” and before loading up the buses for the return trip, the cast and crew were treated to a send-off luncheon on the stage of the high school auditorium on Thursday.

“Remember to think about what you’re experiencing right now and who you’re experiencing it with,” said J.J. Villarreal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, during a toast to the cast and crew.

Villarreal was principal of Temple High during last year’s state run, and he ended his comments with a request.

“Let’s win the state championship. Why? Because we need it,” he said to a round of applause from the crowd.

This is the third time in six years the THS one-act play advanced to state and the fourth time in school history. Temple advanced to the state competition in 1969 and also in 2001.

“To me, once you get to state it’s already such an accomplishment. And then it’s the icing on the cake to actually win state.” said Nathasha Tolleson, THS theater arts director. “We’re excited about the opportunity to present something really fresh and new to the state audience.”

After three competitions, Ms. Tolleson believes the cast and crew is just finding their rhythm.

“The show is in good shape,” she said. “I tell the kids we want to peak around region and that’s what we’ve done. They’ve really taken their characters so far.”

Laura Rublee, the beaming mother of Matt Rublee who portrays two characters, Footman and Helmut, was experiencing the drive to state for the first time.

“It’s cool. It’s really fun,” Ms. Rublee said. “Every step is nerve racking. Kids who think they are cool and calm, they’re nervous. But they do a fabulous job. It’s nothing like what you think high school kids do.”

Sophomore Trenton Schneiders, who plays King Ludwig of Bavaria, wandered around the stage doling out hugs and smiles to anyone nearby.

“This is my first year in the one-act play,” he said. It is also Schneiders’ first year in Temple. He moved to Temple from Alaska, “where they didn’t really have a one-act program.”

Schneiders has performed in every production for the school this year and is still surprised at the opportunity to compete for the state championship.

“It’s kind of surreal,” he said. “Making it to state is a dream of mine, and I’m looking forward to next year and hopefully it’ll be just the same.”

Once the luncheon was finished, the students readied to head to Austin for the long days ahead of them.

“Saturday is going to be crazy,” Ms. Tolleson said. “We have to be at Hogg Auditorium at 5:30 a.m. to unload the set. After a meeting every school gets 50 minutes on stage to spike the set, get their light cues and sound cues. There are many, many rules we have to follow and they check it all.”

Temple will not perform until around 8:15 p.m. and Ms. Tolleson already has a few words planned for the students.

“I’ll tell them to be true to their show and tell their story,” she said. “To live in the moment and not to anticipate. And to have fun.”

When asked whether she thought the defending state champs had a chance at holding on to their crown, the director kept her response quick and easy.

“Yes.” she said. “Yes we do.”

--

Editor’s note: The results of Saturday’s competition are expected after the Temple Daily Telegram has gone to press. Watch for those in the Monday, April 28, edition.

Rogers High School will compete in the 2A state contest on May 2 in Austin.

--rrenfrow@temple-telegram.com