Ryleigh Corbin, an Eastern View High School senior, will be staging her original play, One More Step, as EV’s entry for the VHSL One Act competition, along with Culpeper County High School’s production of The Inexplicable Chaos Factor of Mia Gregory.
This summer, Corbin had the chance to attend Virginia Commonwealth University as one of six winning young playwrights selected in the statewide SPARC New Voices for the Theatre playwriting competition. During the two-week program, writers had the opportunity to work with a professional playwright who helped guide them through any edits or ideas that they had about their projects. Then, the writers met directors and actors, who helped bring the shows to life on stage. During Corbin’s experience, she was able to workshop One More Step, make edits and adjustments as needed, work with the team, and build professional relationships with fellow playwrights. The program ended with all six plays being showcased in the stage-reading at the 35th annual New Voices Festival in Richmond.
Now, Corbin is bringing One More Step home. The show focuses on Liam, a man who is grieving the recent loss of his wife, Katelyn, after her long battle with cancer, who struggles to rebuild his life without his one and only love. Isolated by grief, Liam pushes away family, friends, and his life as he once knew it. Throughout the play, we see Liam getting caught between the past and fearing for what may come next. As time goes on, unexpected connections begin to bring Liam to find peace with himself. “This play itself is fairly different from what I usually write. This is my 3rd one-act that I've written, but the first that I have submitted anywhere,” Corbin explains. “Most of my previous work has been featured in our very own sketch comedy shows, but One More Step dives into much deeper themes, which made the process extremely meaningful for me.”
Audiences will be able to enjoy the Eastern View Theatre Department’s production on October 28th at 6 PM at the One Act Preview Night in the Eastern View auditorium, along with CCHS’s show. When asked about the upcoming play, Corbin commented, “I am so grateful for this opportunity and excited to see the story come to life on stage with our very own cast and crew.” Come watch one of Culpeper's best and brightest playwrights make her debut this Tuesday.
