TROJAN THEATRE TRAVELS THROUGH TIME IN SEASON'S FIRST PRODUCTION

Gene Sessa, Theatre Program Director

Before the month of September was finished, TVS Upper Schoolers already had completed their first production of the 2024-2025 TVS Theatre season. The early performance dates were a departure from the usual mid-October musical that Trojan Theatre has produced the past few years. Instead, students worked on a play that they got ready in six weeks. Auditions for A Simpler Time were held right as classes began in August, and performances took place in the TVS Black Box Theater September 26 - 29.

The play was a combination of eight vignettes, each written by a different playwright. It told the story of three teenagers who climb aboard a homemade time machine in search of an era when things were not as complicated and crazy as they are today. Their first stop was medieval times, followed by a visit to America in the 1600s. Then they traveled to America in the 1770s, Europe in the 1820s, and America in various other years including 1918 and 1940. There were even a couple of forays into the future before they headed back to the present.

To help prepare students for acting in these different time periods, members of the TVS History Department shared their expertise with the cast. Mr. Luis Terrazas and Mr. James Scott each talked with the actors about the historical significance of the eras in which they were going to portray characters.

To facilitate the many quick changes of time and place, TVS Technical Theatre Director George Miller used a motorized revolving stage, which the School rented from Stage West Theatre. He and his crew divided it in half, and it worked beautifully! As one short play was being acted out on one side, student stage crew members were changing the set on the other for the scene that was to follow. The three teen time travelers were perched above the action in a glitzy, ornate apparatus complete with flashing lights, giant spinning wheel, and puffing smoke. The trio provided commentary and introductions between each playlet, finally concluding that, because human beings are involved, all eras are a little crazy!

The cast of 20 students was directed by Upper School Theatre Director Mr. Gene Sessa; sophomore Raven Russell served as stage manager. Fanciful and creative lighting was designed by senior Lily Ross, and sophomore Micah Price was responsible for the thoughtful and elaborate sound design. Senior Hailey Murrin designed the attractive and highly effective sets, and seniors Jessica Lucas and Gregory Cherry were responsible for props. Detailed, elegant costumes were designed by senior Sophie Sable and junior Dalya Chandler. Junior Ava Golden designed the program cover/poster design with the help of artificial intelligence and a little inspiration from Dali’s famous melting clocks. The show was produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.

Next up for Trojan Theatre are the Senior Directed One-Act Plays where seven seniors will each direct a 10-minute work of his/her choosing. They will be performed on December 12, 13, and 14 in the TVS Black Box Theater. In January, Upper School students will audition for the new musical Between the Lines which will be presented in mid-April in the Stephen Seleny Theater. It will be produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

We look forward to sharing these with the Trojan community. Please plan to attend one or more performances! Dates and ticket information will be available through the School’s website.