High school drama club tackles one-act plays

The spring drama opens Friday

By: Donna Lukiw
   Ten actors, three student directors, one student stage manager and two student set painters are ready to present the Hillsborough High School spring play Friday and Saturday.
   Instead of acting out one play, the drama and English teachers wanted to do something different. They chose three different one-act shows, "Series of Shorts," including a drama, a comedy and a drama/comedy.
   Sophomores Brittney Zeller and Kelsey Burke will be performing the first act, "Autumn Leaves," by Julianne Bernstein, a story about two sisters who are trying to cope with the death of their brother who died in the Vietnam War. The story takes place at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
   Sophomore Rich Venezia is the student director for this act.
   "I think all of them (the acts) are good," Rich said. "It starts with a drama, then lightens up with a comedy and then ends with a comedy/drama."
   "Open Road," by Brad Blaight, the comedy of the night, performed by freshman Tanner Horst, sophomore Jordan Mazza and junior Ashley Layton, tells about a 17-year old boy who thinks he’s Walt Whitman.
   "It’s comedic and based upon his parent’s reactions to things," Rich said.
   Junior Jessica Thompson is the student director for this play.
   Sophomores Camille Susarchik, Lauren Brown, Ray Kelly, junior Will Fleming and senior Matt Douglas will be performing in the last act called "Way Deep," student directed by senior Wayne Staats.
   "Way Deep," by Katherine Burger, a comedy and drama with some mature language and subject matter, tells a story about a boy from Brooklyn who meets a girl from Iowa. They fall in love, run away together and elope.
   "The best part of the show will be opening night," Ashley said. "They’re fun plays. The characters get you involved in their lives and your lives."
   English teacher Briana Dixon, English and drama teacher Melissa Blevins and English and creative writing teacher Judy Winchock directed all three plays.
   Senior Vanessa Lanceloti, stage manager, seniors Sean Niel and Fraylie Nord, set painters and Hillsborough Middle School teacher Daynon Blevins, set builder, have all been involved in the behind the scenes aspects of the spring play.
   The play opens at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) and a second performance will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday.
   Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 with student ID and $8 for general admission.
   "The money will help with sets and further help with future drama productions," Rich said.