Avon’s drama department is getting ready for a serious production for one-act competition for Regions on January 25. The cast picked the play The Empty Chair by Tim Kelly.

The Empty Chair is about a counseling center for teenagers recovering from substance abuse. Robert, one of their peers, has just died of an overdose. The rest of the cast struggles with the means, accident or suicide? The atmosphere is tense and uneasy. Finally, each character speaks about his or her memory of Robert. The individual speakers tell us a great deal about each person as well as the terrors of his or her drug addiction. Although Robert remains something of a mystery, his influence on the others is unmistakable, and the audience can’t help but be moved.

Returning actors to the stage are Haden Cahoy, Rachael De-Jong, Kiara Driesen, Caleb Wallinga, and Erica Cahoy. The Drama department also gained five new members: Jaydon Driesen, Cody Sassaman, Kaeli Wallinga, Ashley Tolsma, and Gunnar Voigt.

Cast seniors are hoping for a return trip to the State One-Act Play Festival which will be in Rapid City, February 3-5.