Actors take their places on stage and wait for their cue.

“Action!”

Something must be wrong. The props are missing. The stage is empty. Then the cast walks onstage dressed in the set pieces. 

Senior Mickey Villedas made costumes by hand for this year’s UIL One-Act Play. The cast and crew is relying on his costuming to illustrate Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which they will perform at the district competition at the Ballinger High School auditorium on Thursday, March 10. If the cast advances, they will compete in the bi-district event on March 24 at Clyde High School. 

“I always like to be helpful, and whatever was needed, I made as we went along,” Villedas said. “The idea of what to make them look like came from Pinterest, and I also got some creative ideas from the cast themselves.”

According to One-Act sponsor Cody Watts, the adapted 40-minute Shakespeare comedy presented a suitable workspace for Villedas.

“He definitely brings a level of creativity to the show, and it’s actually the reason why I chose this show because I knew he could add a lot of artistry through his work,” Watts said. “I knew the show would ask for creative costuming, lighting, and props, so obviously, he’s going to contribute greatly to their performance and the overall look of the show.”

Villedas’ creative work is not isolated to UIL theatre events. The senior also plans to pursue his artistic hobbies in the future. 

“I like creative projects,” Villedas said. “Outside of One-Act, I have little photoshoots for myself, and I post them on social media. I also want to pursue a career in something to help with productions, whether that be makeup or props or something like that.”

Watts said that the costuming has made it so not many set pieces are necessary. Instead, the actors wear the scenery on stage, making the show unique compared to prior years.

“In years past, we’ve done more of a realistic setting or historical type of show,” Watts said. “This one is a lot more fantasy based and creative. It’s been different this year, but in a good way.”

The One-Act team hopes Villedas’ costumes will add an “ethereal” element that other schools will not have — an element that could sweep the district. 

“It’s gonna heighten everything to the nth degree,” senior cast member Bray Bowers said. “[Mickey’s] work makes it that much more spectacular. I think it helps us just see what the actual vision is because there’s something to look at that looks real or fantastical.”