Upper School Theatre Arts presented this year’s Theatre Honors Capstone Performances in Dominican Hall this week. Theatre Honors is a UC-approved, college-level course, during which students refine their acting skills in a variety of complex scripts from different genres and engage in deep analysis of the texts. The culminating requirement of the course is for each student to be the artistic lead in a production with their peers.
This year, we have five very different plays, representing the three options students are presented with: published script, original script, and adaptation of a longer work. “All of these students started out the year as accomplished actors,” remarked Theatre Honors Teacher Jen Grimes, “and they have continued to grow and develop as actors and as theatre artists. I am incredibly proud of all of them, and can’t wait for our larger community to see their fine work as directors and writers.”
Malia L. ’23, writer/director
Sweeter Than Revenge
“I was strolling along downtown Tiburon when I came across a small candy store that had two bickering coworkers who were some of the funniest people I had ever heard. I had only a third of a script for my original play. Some things just work themselves out like this. Sweeter Than Revenge is a play that just incites pure chaos and childish humor, coming straight from the mush of thoughts that makes up my brain.
I always knew that my Capstone would be my last project of my high school theater career, but I didn’t understand that it was preparing me to be a professional actor by placing me in the director’s seat. This project was a big responsibility to me but one I was more than happy to take on. For once, I got to see how directors view me through a more critical lens, and I had a great deal of management and authority over each aspect of creating my own show and to not act, but put together everything behind the scenes. I didn’t have a director doing the lights, or checking my costumes to see if everything was functional and fit well - I had to do it myself as my own director. It made me a much more responsible person, and entering both college and an acting career, taking initiative is absolutely imperative. To send me off on my way to the professional world of theatre, I could not ask for any better preparation than this Capstone experience.”
Sinead M. ’23, writer/director
The Boy and the Typewriter
“At the beginning, I struggled to find an idea for my capstone, finding it hard to get inspired. That’s when I got the idea to write a play about the struggles of writing. The Boy and the Typewriter is a classic murder mystery with a twist that connects the imagination with reality. A missing footman, a murdered husband, and a suspicious butler all controlled by the keys of a typewriter. But what happens when a young spirit changes the course of the keys and makes the once serious plot hilarious and exciting?
The Theaters capstone meant a lot to me. I have been looking towards this project since freshman year, ever since I knew I wanted to be in theater honors. This project allowed me to share my stories with a larger audience and to express my creativity in ways teachers don’t always see from me in the classroom. The Boy and the Typewriter allowed me to share my writing experience, my humor, and my stories that meant so much to me. I’m so happy I took theater at San Domenico, and I’m ready for the experiences it prepares me for in the future.”
Fiona M. ’23, writer/director
The Cake Caper
“The Cake Caper is a culmination of my favorite parts of comedy in theatre, inspired by the hilarious slapstick styles I adored growing up. As honoring individuality and absolute weirdness is the theme of the show/motto for my life, there is wackiness in every part; whether it be the lines, blocking, sets, costumes, and more!
My favorite part about working on my Capstone was having the ability to make the show my own! I had total control over the designs for lighting, sets, blocking, props, and music in order to bring my script to life. The process took a lot of hard work and dedication, but I had so much fun the entire time, and am truly grateful for the experience!”
Lily B. ’23, director
Sure Thing, by David Ives
“When looking for published pieces for my Capstone, I wanted something candid and quick-witted. Sure Thing fit this perfectly. This short one-act encapsulates the endless opportunities that come with conversation, dealing with themes of gender, inner life, and the role of chance in relationships.
Through my Theatre Honors Capstone, I further learned about the impact of theatre and the importance of social commentary in art. With theatre arts, we are able to discuss our world in a creative way through unconventional perspectives. It can both critique and understand society in a way that news and status updates cannot.”
Bell S. ’23, adapter/director
Uncommon Women and Others, by Wendy Wasserstein
Uncommon Women and Others is a play that explores the lives of a group of women graduates of Mount Holyoke College and their experiences in the decade after graduation. The play interested me because of how I as a woman feel related to the characters in the play. As a feminist who is eager to prove what I can do, the internal and external struggles the characters are facing speaks strongly to me.
My favorite part of doing the Capstone is that I have the full control of what I want to do with the play. The Capstone gave me an opportunity to express myself and my ideas through an artistic way. It was a very valuable experience for me to direct a play that is related to feminism, the societal issue that I care the most about.”