Mason High School students participating in an acting and creative writing collaboration culminated in powerful performances in the school's Black Box Theater on April 26.
Students in theater teacher Allen Young’s Acting I class partnered with English teacher Amanda Bross’ Creative Writing students for the special performances. The collaboration between the acting and writing classes were brought to life by Young’s actors through four 10-minute plays.
"The 10-minute play project is always a favorite of Creative Writing students," said Bross. "To first be selected by their peers to have their plays performed, and then to see their work interpreted by actors and come to life, is a rewarding experience."
The 10-12 grade writing students wrote the plays in March. The whole process took about a month - a week to introduce the project, examine samples and brainstorm; two weeks to actually write and edit the play; and a week for all student group to perform them in class. Each class then voted for their favorite 1-2 plays, which got sent to the acting class.
The acting students only worked on the plays for about two weeks before the live performances.
“I'm really proud of the students and their ability to prepare the one act plays in such a short time,” said Young. “It is really authentic to work on plays their peers have written, and they also have the added pressure of performing the play in front of those authors, without any communication about their intent.”
The performances included:
“The Big Leagues” by Joel Thatcher
Director: Nathalie Dupre
Actors: Elizabeth Carras, Natalie Dupre, Anna Kosiarek, Drew Stidham, and Kayla Williams
“Burning Silence” by Emma Statt
Director: Michelle Guiot
Actors: Gaby Medina, Seth Rapp, and Dina Secic
“Reunited” by Zach Jedding
Director: Aya Kraimer
Actors: Arainna McDonald, Sarah Rubsam
“For Him” by Danielle Morey and Gabe Carr
Director: Spencer Walsh
Actors: Katie Kenniston, and Bradley Simpson?