- February 19, 2025
The student directors: DeErra Jones, Rebecca Lodato, Lorelei Killmer and Marley Beams. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Hailee Bedard and Caleb Flinn, as Hawkeye, perform in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Alik Evensen, as Superman, and Makena Lukasik perform in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Curtis Seppala plays the part of Batman in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Annabelle McDermott, DeErra Jones, and Raegan Goff perform in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Samantha Meckert, as Aquaman, and Madelyn Shader perform in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Alik Evensen, as Superman, and Lola Bell perform in "Superheroes." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The cast of "Historically Accurate," a show written and directed by Marley Beams and Lorelei Killmer (front row). Courtesy photo
Students perform in "Historically Accurate." Courtesy photo
For the first time, Flagler Palm Coast High School Thespian's "A Night of One Acts" featured two student directed shows — one of which was written by two students.
FPC juniors Lorelei Killmer and Marley Beams began writing their show, "Historically Accurate," in August of their sophomore year. It was initially written for a district festival, in which it received high superior ratings. However, Killmer and Beams were unable to enter their show in states due to a rule change.
Then during an officer's meeting last fall, it was suggested by FPC theater president DeErra Jones that the show be part of "A Night of One Acts." And, that its authors direct it as well.
"We immediately started rewriting some stuff, because we had ideas that we wanted to add in, we had things we wanted to fix," said Beams, publicist of the FPC theater troupe. "So it's been a project of over a year of perfecting the script."
"Historically Accurate" is about two middle school students and their history presentation gone wrong.
"It's been compared to an SNL skit over and over again, with how high energy it is, and it's very inaccurate despite the name, but it's a lot of fun," Killmer said.
The joy of creating something is what Killmer, troupe secretary, said draws her to the art of theater.
"When I was younger, I saw a lot of shows at FPC and I was just amazed at how believable the characters were," she said. "I wanted to be a part of that."
Beam didn't get a lot of opportunities to explore theater until he started attending FPC. But it's been a lifelong passion, he said.
"It's always been so amazing to me to be able to step into these different characters and become them, and get to hear people laugh in the audience ... and get to see their amazing reactions," Beams said.
"A Night of One Acts," which ran from Feb. 13-15 at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, also featured "Superheroes," a play by Ian McWethy. FPC Thespians President DeErra Jones and Vice President Rebecca Lodato, who are both seniors, directed the show.
"Superheroes" is a comedy about the daily lives of superheroes and mundane interactions.
Jones traces her love of theater to when she was 5 years old and watching the first episode of Disney Channel's "Jessie." She connected with the character of Zuri, played by Skai Jackson, because it was the first time she remembers seeing a girl that looked like her onscreen.
"There wasn't a lot of people who looked like me who were big leads of a show," Jones said. "... I didn't realize that was something that I could do."
She remembers talking to her mom about it, and her mom agreed to put her in acting classes.
For Lodato, it's thanks to her older brother that she got into acting. Their mom placed him in classes to help him come out of his shell, and extended the same opportunity to Lodato, who not only excelled, but went on to attend a performing arts middle school in New York. She moved to Palm Coast for her freshman year and has been part of theater here ever since.
"It's just always been my emotional outlet," Lodato said. " ... It's just a really big way for me to destress and just have fun — not think about anything else that's going on.
FPC drama teacher Kelly Rivera said she was very hands off as the students took over the "A Night of One Acts" show. From selecting costumes and envisioning the sets, to printing the programs, the four student directors took charge.
There's nothing more rewarding than hearing the students describe their love and passion for theater, Rivera said. She looks forward to the end of the school day when she gets to see the students she calls her "hardcores."
"It's soul feeding," Rivera said. "I can get through that day knowing I'm just going to see them and get to watch them grow — and not only grow, but literally take charge of a project."
Being able to direct a show has given Beams a new perspective on being an actor.
"I can work with these people and see them do it next to me, but getting to see them do it on the stage while I'm in the audience has been such a great experience for inspiring me in different ways," Beams said.
It's also made him realize he wants to pursue directing and one day, write a musical.
Lodato used to want to become an acting teacher. Now that she's gotten a chance to experience directing, she realized she prefers to be on stage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she missed performing a lot. Art is beautiful, and it's needed, she said.
"I think most people who like love movies or like stuff like that, forget that most of their favorite actors started as theater kids, because that's where most people find their love for acting."
Art is everywhere, Jones said. The music we listen to, TV shows, how someone chooses to decorate their room. Sometimes people look at programs like choir and theater and don't see their value," she said.
"When it comes to programs, it gets so overlooked and pushed aside because they don't care, they don't think people will do it, but I just don't think that's the case," Jones said. "I think people are just scared to and ... it's important to get the word out there and make people feel welcome because when you get to express yourself like that, it's just so important."
Killmer initially thought all she wanted to with theater was to perform. Now, she's considering directing, teaching or writing. Having seen the other side of the craft, it's inspired her to make new choices in her acting and to take new leaps she said.
FPC is lucky to have a variety of extracurriculars, she added. They provide students with an outlet and opportunities to get outside of their comfort zones.
"Our school would not be as amazing as it is without every single aspect, and that definitely includes theater," Killmer said.
FPC Theater's next production will be "Wizard of Oz," to run May 15-17. There will be a 7 p.m. show on all dates, and a 2 p.m. matinee on May 17.
