A whole lot of drama unfolded in Bismarck-Mandan Monday with thespians from 20 Class B high schools acting their hearts out for a chance at a state title.

Eight drama teams advanced from Monday's preliminary round and will compete today in the state final One-act Play competition.

The finals will start at 8:30 a.m. today at Century High School. Each play is approximately a half-hour in length, and the awards will be announced shortly after the final play of the day at 2:45 p.m.

Bob Hetler, who heads up the fine arts for the North Dakota High School Activities Association, said the caliber of Monday's preliminary performances was "top notch,"among the best he's seen.

The atmosphere was tense as teams waited to hear whether judges were giving them the chance to advance. Hetler jokingly told the audience the competition was so close two judges were crying and another was promised therapy, witticism that appealed to the theatrical audience.

Following is a list of the eight teams that will compete and their scheduled performance time:

Park River - 8:30 a.m.; Hazen -9:15 a.m.; Hettinger -10 a.m.; Bowbells -10:45 a.m.; Enderlin -12:30 p.m.; Kindred -1:15 p.m.; Kulm -2 p.m.; and Glenburn - 2:45 p.m. Awards will be announced at approximately 3:45 p.m.

Glenburn is the defending champion, having won the State B One-act Play title for the past two years.

Teams that did not advance, but participated in the preliminaries were Lisbon, Flasher, Mohall, Wolford, Trinity, New Rockford, Larimore, Edgeley, Rugby, Mott-Regent, Griggs County and North Sargent.