BREAK A LEG - Drama participants at NRHEG School competed in section competition Saturday, Jan. 24, placing fifth. They also offered a public performance for NRHEG area residents the evening of Friday, Jan. 30.
One Act play brings big laughs
Thu, 02/05/2026 - 12:45am
The NRHEG high school drama program delivered quick wit and sharp timing in its Friday, Jan. 30, performance of The Rules of Comedy by Peter Bloedel. The one-act play tells a fast-paced story that explores what happens when humor is taken far too seriously.
The play centers on a group of performers who attempt to follow strict “rules” about what makes something funny, only to discover that comedy refuses to be neatly contained.
Through exaggerated situations, physical humor, and clever dialogue, the cast highlighted how laughter often comes from mistakes, surprises, and unmet expectations.
A cast and crew of sixteen students showcased strong comedic skills, particularly in their use of cabbage, real-time translation, and rubber chicken sword fights while performing an abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in 35 minutes. Co-directors Holly Pederson and Solveig Sundblad said the NRHEG performers placed fifth out of the seven schools in their class when performing at the regional contest last weekend.
The performance was well received, with frequent laughter throughout. More than just a comedy, the production reminded viewers that humor is unpredictable, personal, and sometimes funniest when it bends the rules.