Skye Curren, Editor
@esccourant
During most of the year, drama students are performing plays that have already been written: Anything Goes, The Addams Family and Letters to Sala are a few examples from this year. Drama Fest, which has been part of the Theatre Program for almost 30 years, gives students a chance to write and direct their own plays. This January 25th and 26th at 7:00, the six winners of the script competition get a chance to present their plays–along with costumes, props, and sets they’ve made–to the school.
Theatre director Dee Alexander has been doing Drama Fest ever since she started working at the high school. “My favorite part is working with the kids,” Ms. Alexander said. “I love to see a student who’s very quiet all of a sudden have a different strength, like writing. That’s always wonderful to see.”
Ms. Alexander also notes the positive effect Drama Fest has on the students who perform in it. “Taking on a show from beginning to end develops their leadership skills and their follow-through skills,” she said. “Working with their peers also forces them to be responsible.”
Drama Fest is usually in March but, this year, theatre director Dee Alexander moved it to January. “We changed the time so the kids would have more time to rehearse and execute, versus the end of the school year where it’s way too crazy,” Ms. Alexander said. “This year we also added a workshop with Hartford Stage.” Hartford Stage also judged the various short plays this year.
This year, junior Fiona Stevens’ short play ‘Iridescence’ won first place. Ms. Alexander thinks this is because of the imaginative nature of it. “It’s very creative; it’s not until it’s over that you really understand it.”
Fiona has been doing Drama Fest for three years and this year is her second time directing a skit. “A lot of work goes into these plays,” she said. “I had to do a lot of research into what it’s like to be color
Directors also have to make props, write scripts and design costumes. Fiona thinks these skills are important for a future in theatre. “I would definitely consider a future in the production side of things–costuming, props–I love doing all of that stuff,” she said. “Especially screenwriting. I think it would be really interesting to transition from theatre to film.”
Sophomore Ivan Tamayo, who is in his second year of Drama Fest and is acting in three of the sketches, also thinks he will use the skills he is learning at Drama Fest in the future. “Down the line, I’ll definitely pursue a career in acting or just performing in general,” Ivan said. “The skills that I’m developing in high school are definitely going to contribute to that.”
Iva notes the difference between acting in Drama Fest and in the shows that take place during the rest of the year. “Rehearsals are a lot more serious for the plays or musicals. Drama Fest is a lot more fun,” he said.
Fiona agrees with him. “Drama Fest allows for students–both actors and directors–to express themselves in a way they usually can’t,” she said. “It’s just a lot of fun.”
