Acting in a Different Role JOSHUA HEZEL Staff Writer
To watch fellow students create and perform art is inspiring in itself, and every spring Lindbergh High School allows a handful of students in the theater program to show off their directing prowess to the student body via the Senior Directed One Acts. Lindbergh presents the One Acts not only to show off what the students can do, but also because these students in the theater program want to do it. Students in the thespian society at Lindbergh wait diligently for their chance to maybe direct a One Act their senior year. One student director, Meghan Bilderback (12), shared that being a director her senior year is something that she has yearned for ever since her freshman year. One important aspect directors consider during the process of putting on these One Acts is choosing the production they want to use to fully express their artistic ideas. This year, directors have chosen a mid-century noir styled mystery, a fourth-wall-breaking comedy, and an extremely serious look into the implications and effects of mental health on youth in the 21st century. One student did not choose their story for the style, but rather the artistic merit they found in it. “By displaying this play [Dr. Faustus], I hope to peak interest in not only his form of theatre, but an entire gateway into a new form of emotional and psychological thought.” said Gabe Mead (12). With every theatrical production, the cast and crew face difficulties. These students are not professional directors and for many of them, this is their first time in this role. One production, “Vega” by Jerzy Gwiazdowsk, deals with themes of suicide, mental illness, and toxic relationships, so it presents
very unique challenges. “A prominent difficulty we have had with the show is trying to accurately portray those affected by suicide. It is such a touchy issue and so impactful on the lives of many that we want to do it justice.” said Lauren Petersen (12). How the audience reacts to a show is not the only difficulty a director can face. In some plays, the cast struggles purely with the way they must speak in the show, like the mid-Atlantic accent needed for the production, “Murder by Midnight” by Jeff Goode, or the Elizabethan language used in “Dr. Faustus” by Chistopher Marlowe. One of the One Acts really struggled with how to fully present the aesthetic of the production to the audience. “One difficulty is the use of the “Mid-Atlantic” accent in our one act. We are currently working with our actors to perfect the accent and make sure they sound presentable. Other difficulties include the colorscheme as everything is in black and white or grayscale. Andrew and I want the feel of a 1940’s Noir film, so we are using face paint, grey, black and white clothing, and a greyscale set to give off the illusion that everything looks like an old black and white film,” said Bilderback. The One Acts allow for students to realize themselves in a new role and in turn gives the students the experience they will need if they want to continue in the world of theater. Whether the students want to become professional actors, set designers, directors, or any other occupational role in theater, Lindbergh’s theater program can help them find that. One student director put it best. “I want to go into theatre and film, so this experience is invaluable” said Brian Perniciaro (12).
The One Acts that will be on display: “Boise, Idaho” A couple meets at a cafe. All is normal until they realize they are being narrated. “Vega” A group of three friends who meet up to perform a breakup ritual for their friend Rena, who has just gone through a tough breakup and is in a very fragile mental state. The three characters, Rena, Amber and Carter, have been friends for years, but since their shared clown business failed, their relationship seems to have taken a large shift. Rena, trying to put her life back together after attempting to commit suicide, has decided to bring together her friends to participate in a “love burial” ritual after her breakup. However, the typical ceremony takes a turn as the friends are confronted with the toxicity of their relationship and its impact on Rena. “Murder By Midnight” The one act is about wanna-be-tough-guy Dick Piston, a hotel detective. It’s 10 minutes until he’s off the clock when a distressed woman comes into his office asking for him to solve the case of her husband’s murder. He has 10 minutes to crack the case before he has to refer her to the day shift. “The Tragical History of John Faustus” The story of a mid-1500s genius, that has learned everything there is to know about the world, and decides that he has nothing better to do in life than to sell his soul to Lucifer. In exchange, he is given a demon named Mephisopholis, who grants him absolute power for 24 years. Time passes, and he becomes apathetic to humanity. So as the 24th year comes around, he cries and screams as he is dragged into hell by his closest News friends: Satan and his 3.23.20 demons.
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