What happens behind the curtains

Have you ever wanted to write your own play? Many students have acted in plays, but now they have been given the opportunity to write them. 

Nine seniors and juniors wrote and directed one acts for the freshman and sophomores to perform. A one act is a short play performed in a singular act, unlike other plays or musicals that normally have two or three acts in total.

Writing a play is not as easy as it seems. It requires an immense amount of time, thought and energy. 

“We kind of just threw out a bunch of concepts and then whichever one we liked the most, we formed a storyline around that. Then, we created characters to drive that story line, and that’s how we got our first draft,” said Gabrielle Staidl, ‘23. Although Staidl used this technique, not everyone did.

Megan Hefel, ‘23, took a different approach. “We just wanted a funny story with a dark humor twist to it.”

William Grommet, ‘24, had a unique way to come up with ideas. “We saw a skeleton mug and just took that idea to an extreme.”

There is much more to a one act than you might think.  Casting is a big part of the process because these are the people that bring the story to life. 

The junior and senior directors all worked together to carefully decide who should be in what cast. 

 “We discussed who we wanted in our cast, and then we kind of  traded them all like Pokemon cards,” said Jocelyn Staidl, ‘24.

“We just chose whoever gave off that energy or the vibe of the character,” said Joise Wolbers, ‘24.

The director and actors have been rehearsing during the entire month of November to perform their shows. The performances will take place on December 1-3. 

 

Have you ever wanted to write your own play? Many students have acted in plays, but now they have been given the opportunity to write them. 

Nine seniors and juniors wrote and directed one acts for the freshman and sophomores to perform. A one act is a short play performed in a singular act, unlike other plays or musicals that normally have two or three acts in total. 

Writing a play is not as easy as it seems. It requires an immense amount of time, thought and energy. 

“We kind of just threw out a bunch of concepts and then whichever one we liked the most, we formed a storyline around that. Then, we created characters to drive that story line, and that’s how we got our first draft,” said Gabrielle Staidl, ‘23. Although Staidl used this technique, not everyone did.

Megan Hefel, ‘23, took a different approach. “We just wanted a funny story with a dark humor twist to it.”

William Grommet, ‘24, had a unique way to come up with ideas. “We saw a skeleton mug and just took that idea to an extreme.”

There is much more to a one act than you might think.  Casting is a big part of the process because these are the people that bring the story to life. 

The junior and senior directors all worked together to carefully decide who should be in what cast. 

 “We discussed who we wanted in our cast, and then we kind of  traded them all like Pokemon cards,” said Jocelyn Staidl, ‘24.

“We just chose whoever gave off that energy or the vibe of the character,” said Joise Wolbers, ‘24.

The director and actors have been rehearsing during the entire month of November to perform their shows. The performances will take place on December 1-3. 

Addison Schultz, ’25, Evie Smith and Elena Barton, ’26 practice for the amazing show.

 

Gabrielle Staidl and Nicholas Hill

Development Operations

What makes a person human? Essentially about a humanoid robot, who works for a tech company that is being hacked.

 

Leah Park and Joshua Chapman

First date, Last day

A dating show during the apocalypse.

 

 

 

 

Josie Wolbers and Joshua Chapman

Later night show

A parody on late night talk shows.

 

Aylssa Kirby and Megan Hefel

Can’t everyone just get along

A friend group who argues and the main character’s unique solution to resolve it.

 

Jocelyn Staidl and William Grommet 

Under my skin

A skeleton who is trying to get human skin.

 

Gabrielle Staidl and Nicholas Hill

Development Operations

What makes a person human? Essentially about a humanoid robot, who works for a tech company that is being hacked.

 

Leah Park and Joshua Chapman

First date, Last day

A dating show during the apocalypse.

 

Josie Wolbers and Joshua Chapman

Later night show

A parody on late night talk shows.

 

Alyssa Kirby and Megan Hefel

Can’t everyone just get along

A friend group who argues and the main character’s unique solution to resolve it.

 

Jocelyn Staidl and William Grommet 

Under my skin

A skeleton who is trying to get human skin.