January 16, 2025 — Mound Westonka High School Theatre is set to captivate audiences this month with their production of Aunt Leaf by Barbara Wiechmann. This haunting and lyrical one-act play will be showcased as part of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) One-Act Play Contest, marking another milestone in the school's return to competitive theatre after more than 20 years.

Set against the backdrop of a snowbound house near a dark forest, Aunt Leaf draws audiences into a world of isolation, imagination and quiet suspense. The story centers on a lonely girl whose fascination with the woods and the mysterious Aunt Leaf blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

MWHS Theatre is building on its impressive performance last year, where they earned second place at the subsections and third place at sections with their show, Kodachrome. With Aunt Leaf, the cast and crew have embraced the challenge of bringing this eerie and poetic tale to life, incorporating creative staging, atmospheric sound design, and powerful performances.

The community is invited to attend two free performances of the play, giving the public an opportunity to experience this unique production before it travels to the MSHSL One-Act Play Contest:

• Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m.
  Westonka Performing Arts Center, 5905 Sunnyfield Road E, Minnetrista
  (Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for seating)
  The performance will last approximately 35 minutes, followed by a brief Q&A with the cast and crew.

• Saturday, January 25 at 9:30 a.m.
  Subsection Contest Performance at Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska
  (Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. for parking and seating. The audience should enter through the activities entrance. Note that doors will close once the performance begins.)

The cast and crew of Aunt Leaf include 13 dedicated student performers, along with additional students who have contributed to the production through set, costume, and prop design. The show is co-directed by Jamie Harms and Joe Lawrence.

"We're thrilled to share this powerful and thought-provoking piece with the community," said Harms. "It’s an exciting opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and hard work while participating in a larger, state-wide theatre tradition."

Cast