By the time senior year rolls around, theatre students have spent years memorizing scripts, waiting in the wings, learning cues, however now they are the ones directing the show.
Senior Directs are an opportunity of senior students to direct one last show before they graduate high school. The productions are typically one-act plays rehearsed from the end of March through the first week of May with performances continuing Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the black box theater.
“It’s taught me to have a lot of respect for directors and that constant communication, even when uncomfortable, is necessary to prevent other problems,” senior Amanda Oh said. “Leadership wise, I’ve found it to be an honor to help pass down some of my long held views on theatre. Even when it was not my original intention, the contributions and quirks of the actors make the show feel more alive.”
The Odd Couple, a fast-paced comedy that explores friendship and the challenges of living with someone completely different was the choice of senior Kylie Gore.
“The reason for choosing this show is that I’ve always loved comedy more than drama in most of what I watch, from plays to shows to movies,” Gore said. “Another reason is that it’s about a girl moving in with her friend when they are complete opposites. I feel like that is ironic, especially with most seniors about to live with a roommate who may also be a total opposite.”
The experience of students directing is something different for freshman Maria Wang.
“This has been such an amazing experience, and it opened my eyes to a whole other part of theatre,” Wang said. “I would do this again a million times over.”
Furthermore, theatre director Kristopher Allen, views senior directs as an opportunity for growth and gaining production experience.
“I am less concerned about learning and more about the experience,” Allen said. “The seniors get an opportunity to show off everything they’ve learned over the last four years, and underclassmen get opportunities to be on stage. Many times, it is a student’s first time on stage and in a situation where the stakes aren’t as high as a mainstage show.”
