Five ‘Hillsborough Shorts’ hit stage tomorrow night
By Kelly Velocci, Packet Media AGroup
Hillsborough High School students will make their directorial debuts tomorrow night, Friday, during the school theater program called “Hillsborough Shorts.”
Students write, direct and produce their own productions, with minimal money and light supervision from the theater program.
The five one-act productions will center on the yearlong theme, “From the Page to the Stage.”
In addition to giving creative control, Hillsborough Shorts teach students valuable life lessons, said theater artistic director, BJ Solomon. He said the experience teaches lessons in responsibility and management that transcend high school.
”They learn how to become a good boss, how to be a good leader and manage their peers,” Mr. Solomon said. Many former Hillsborough Shorts’ graduates have become resident assistants at universities and hold leadership positions, he said.
Hillsborough High School senior Nihal Honward said gaining respect from peers is a challenge. Nihal is directing “Baggage Unattended.” The 10-minute play is about a couple that grows fearful after finding unattended luggage in the airport. Nihal said it speaks to “the underlying tone of today’s world.”
Mr. Solomon received more than 20 “Shorts” applications, starting in October. The work included both original productions and well-known pieces. Students submitted essays describing their interest in producing and a list of their production staff.
”I want them to be passionate about the script and not just interested in directing,” he said. Students who wrote original work also included their inspiration for writing the piece.
Amanda McHugh, a junior, wrote and directed her original play, “Perfectly Imperfect.” Amanda said her prior experience as a stage manager helped her gain the trust of her peers. Amanda said her “Short” was inspired by a poem she wrote in 2011, centering around five high school girls. She said her biggest accomplishment was completing her original production.
Students receive a $400 budget to fund their play, but Mr. Solomon said many students don’t spend the entire amount. To encourage creativity and growth, he said the students make all production decisions. He offers suggestions, but students are not obligated to make changes.
”I feel so lucky to go to a school that enables you to get this experience,” said Nihal.
Mr. Solomon said the most important lesson students take away is the hard work it takes to produce a production. After the “Shorts,” many students have a newfound appreciation for him and their teachers, he said.
The lineup for this year’s Hillsborough Shorts:
• ”Game Night: The Musical,” written and directed by Kate Anne Mochnacz;
• ”Therapy,” written and directed by Matthew Sisti;
• ”Baggage Unattended,” written by Eric Coble and directed by Nihal Honward;
• ”Blind Date,” directed by Lauren Wohlmacher, and
• ”Perfectly Imperfect,” written and directed by Amanda McHugh.