- November 15, 2024
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“All the students have worked incredibly hard on this production; we have a wonderful performance on our hands.” –Director for “A Night of One-Acts” and Matanzas Drama teacher Micah Laird
Fourteen of Matanzas High School’s Drama Club students performed two short plays in front of a live audience Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Pirates Theater. The first act, called “A Game,” was written by Dennis Noble. The production takes the opportunity to examine human nature and simplifies the psychology behind the cause of many wars throughout history. Three people were given equal shares of a divided room, yet each tries to possess more than what was originally given. Eventually the individuals resent one another and the scene turns ugly. Doctor Henning, played by Collin Sloan, realizes his experiment went haywire too late to stop the violent consequences.
The second act was written by Peter Tarsi called “Tracks.” The scene opens with a group of strangers together on a subway platform. They all believe they are in different cities, until socializing. After attempting to make a few calls, they realize all electronics have stopped working. There is no way out of the station. Now they must wait together and ponder the reason for their predicament. It eventually dawns on them: they have all died and the station represents limbo. Each are faced with a terrifying realization, once aboard the train, does it lead to heaven or hell?
"I love being involved in the drama club, these students treat each other like family."-"Tracks" Stage Manager Michael Palumbo
“Helping put on this production was a great experience, I always meet new people and create so many good memories,” Lighting Director and student at MHS Alexandra Wells said. “It is wonderful how the stagecraft crew and actors work together to make this night happen, it is so rewarding to see the end performance.”
The drama club puts on two main productions every year along with two Coffee House productions, which are meant to showcase a variety of talents. “The Coffee House productions are meant to involve students outside of the drama club, and to get them interested in acting,” Drama teacher Micah Laird said.
As a new teacher at MHS, the “Night of One-Acts” was the first production Laird had the privilege to direct. Laird was previously the Production Manager at Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine.
The students look forward to competing in the Florida State Thespian, District 3, One-Act Festival Friday, Nov. 20, at Lyman High School in Longwood. “A Game” will be used as the main act. The students will also be performing almost twenty individual productions in an attempt to be chosen for the state completion in Tampa which will be held in early spring of 2016.