To wrap up another year of drama, the class will perform a collection of short one-act plays for audiences in Ground Zero, May 14 and 15.
The production, themed “Act Your Age,” consists of five parodies on adulthood, giving students a chance to make fun of their mentors in a controlled setting.
“The thread that ties each one-act together is the fact that they each involve adults, the supposedly ‘mature’ members of our society acting like children or in other absurd fashions,” drama instructor Brianne Vogt said. “There is no deep underlying meaning to any of the one-acts; it is meant to be an evening of humor.”
Setting the theme of adulthood parodies, Vogt selected “When Mothers Meet” and “Follow Simple Directions” by Tom Taggart, “The Still Alarm” by George S. Kaufman, “DMV Tyrant” by Christopher Durang and “Mere Mortals” by David Ives. Drama students took on these plays as their final project of the year.
Rather than performing one big show to conclude the year, Vogt took the opportunity to present her students with a variety of shows and test their responsibility. The concept of a more simplistic production also eases the process of composing the details into a cohesive show, she said.
“I chose to do short one-act shows for a handful of reasons,” Vogt said. “First of all, it’s different from what we did with ‘The Babbling Brooks’, and variety is good. Second of all, it’s beneficial for the class as it offers them a chance to take a little more initiative when it comes to rehearsing their respective one-acts (as I cannot rehearse them all at once).
“Third of all, it offers me the chance to see which students are willing and ready to take charge of their acting and doesn’t present the same kind of production cost and time commitment as a full-length show does.”
In contrast to the hectic preparation of previous shows, establishment for “Act Your Age!” allowed Vogt a more relaxed experience. The students’ responsibility and the plays’ simplistic necessities were more feasible for her to handle, she said.
“Preparing a collection of one-acts allows me to hand the reins over to students a bit as far as rehearsal time and process goes,” Vogt said. “Preparing a full-length show presents a director with the challenge of breaking up the rehearsals into manageable parts; when a director is working with short one-acts, this work is already done.”
Like Vogt, junior Bridget Teixeira finds this show to provide a lighthearted experience among the hectic end-of-year tension.
“I believe this production is a great way to end the year,” Teixeira said. “It gives us something to focus on besides stressful finals coming up.”
For seniors like Nacoya Villegas, “Act Your Age!” is the last play of their high school career.
“It’s kind of sad to almost be done,” Villegas said. “I love to act and I will always love this, but I am also excited because I’m ready to move on to the next step. Drama has been quite the adventure.”
The Act Your Age performances will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and teachers.
For more information, e-mail Vogt or read the March 8 article, Drama to present ‘The Babbling Brooks’.
