The theatre department is putting on Student Directed One Act Plays (SDOAPs) this week and next week, on April 18, 19, 25, and 26. The shows are directed by the seniors, located in the black box, and entry is free. 

“I like how it can help people from any grade level form a bond,” sophomore actor Marcella Hernandez said. “You can become friends and make connections with people you wouldn’t have otherwise.”

The teachers play minimal roles in the productions, as this project is carried out by the students. This year, the five plays are directed by seniors Elena Yepsen, Alyssa Serrano, Andy Wu, Ticiana Crespo, and Abigail Anderson. Their casts range from four to 27 people, including students in and out of the theatre department. Many students look at this as an opportunity to make new friends and get more social while also creating memorable experiences for their audience. 

“New actors are given opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise, and people get pushed out of their comfort zones,” senior director Elena Yepsen said. “It also gives the seniors a chance to showcase what they have learned in the past years and help underclassmen.”

Many freshmen have not had the chance to act in the other shows this year, and multiple plays at once allow them to improve with the help of their peers. For the seniors as well, they can leave their knowledge with their underclassmen and get closer to them. This is effective in getting people not in theatre involved in it as well, as many people are needed for both technical theatre and acting. 

“I learned that people don’t always learn things in the same way,” sophomore stage manager Jessica Lee said. “I learned how to help everyone achieve what needed to be done to make our show great.”

A part of the SDOAPs is learning with peers and figuring out how to do their shows without help from the teachers. The sets, costumes, and hair and makeup are done by the students. Even the posters and tickets are designed by them, as they have analyzed their shows for months. The seniors are required to make director’s notebooks about potential shows they may do, and a few are selected to be performed at the end of the year. The auditions are open to anyone, making it a very valuable experience, even for those not involved in theatre. 

“I like that it isn’t as stressful as regular shows,” freshman actor Patrick Mallory said. “We get to have a greater connection with the directors, too.”

The atmosphere of the plays appeals to the underclassmen, including many more that have been active in theatre this year. However, though the plays are done with fun and passion and there is no desire to make any money, the directors strive to make them enjoyable and spend long hours on making them good, along with the cast and crew. 

“SDOAP season has made the troupe closer,” freshman actor Seriah Thomas said. “Because of that, this year’s plays will be better than the others.”