Searching for a new identity, dealing with undesired situations, and dealing with a crazy family are but a few of the themes that make up this year’s winter plays: Identity Crisis and Actor’s Nightmare, which took place Jan. 27 and 28. Family drama and soul searching are relevant to the actors’ lives, but the winter plays also provided many new experiences.
In addition to viewers being exposed to new elements of performing, putting the plays together was enlightening for the actors and actresses as well. One example is freshman Gabrielle Soto, who felt nervous auditioning with experienced upperclassman who were already familiar with the Drama Department.
“I had a lot of anxiety, but I was familiar with the monologues,” Soto said. “After auditions, I was hoping that I got the part. I knew that I tried my best so my discomfort lessened a bit.”
After getting a role in the play and overcoming her insecurities of being green in South’s Drama Department, Soto felt glad she got to act with her friends and make new ones.
A week before the winter plays, Director John Knight announced that they would begin rehearsing their stage kisses, and Soto would have to practice her character’s stage kiss with her husband, played by freshman George Wood.
“The first time we had to do a stage kiss was actually really funny because we were both very uncomfortable,” Wood said. “[Mr. Knight] had us recite the lines and stage kiss quickly, but we went too quickly and went the wrong way. We both ended up hitting our faces together which was funny.”
Unlike Soto, junior Michael Sarov has starred in multiple GBS productions. He was able to adapt to the styles of acting, as well as the cast. Though he was able to adapt well, this year’s plays were different than he was used to.
“Since the play is fixed in two different one acts, the cast of a show, normally wouldn’t even get to see the other cast,” Sarov said. “We got to spend time with each other once we got closer to the date of the show because we started to finally rehearse together.”
Although some newcomers were nervous to begin the play process, everything came into place as the cast rehearsed, according to Sarov.
Sophomore Sofie Schwartz is very involved in drama at GBS, but had never participated in the winter play until this year. Schwartz had previously viewed and participated in manyplays before, but she hasn’t seen one quite like these.
Sophomore Anna Bundy felt that she improved her acting through the winter plays. The plays’ unique plots encouraged Bundy to put as much effort as she could into these productions.
Sophomore Anna Bundy felt that she improved her acting through the winter plays. The plays’ unique plots encouraged Bundy to put as much effort as she could into these productions.
