Breakups are bad, but they get even worse in The 9 Worst Breakups of All Time, a drama class performance, we publish on May 24 so this will have already happened, Drama Teacher Mandi Corrao said. 

This year, the show’s  cast consists of drama students from all levels, and the performance acts as the class semester final, Corrao said. The 9 Worst Breakups of All Time is a contemporary comedy that takes the audience on a journey of the worst breakups in the history of mankind, from the Cro-Magnon era to the Civil War, freshman Sophia Shevitz said. 

  “[Doing this play] helps [the class] learn more about the acting process,” Shevitz said. “Especially through auditions, waiting for the cast list to come out, and collaborating with [your] peers. [Doing a show as the final] is more helpful than doing a presentation on a dead play writer.”

Since the show involves more characters than students, performers also learn how to act as multiple personalities throughout the run of the show, Shevitz said.

“It is difficult [to perform] because there is a variety [of characters to play],” Shevitz said. [Luckily, the characters I play] all have some similarity where they are all really over the top and melodramatic.”

Sophomore Anna Wojcik, who is taking the highest level of drama, Directed Drama Projects 461, is taking on the role of student director. 

“[Being a director] is more hands-on [than acting],” Wojcik said. “I have to pay more attention to detail. I have to be on my feet more. But it’s also given me a new perspective on how things work [in the show], how things are running, and the real responsibilities of a director.”

When directing a comedy, it can be difficult to make sure the audience finds the show entertaining and genuine, Wojcik said.

“[Sometimes actors] try to play into the comedy aspect too much,” Wojcik said. “The comedy will come as you’re [performing]. [It is important that the actors] try to be more natural instead.”

Typically, drama classes are not combined and Drama 161 students do not participate in the show, Corrao said. However, due to the combined class this semester, Introduction to Drama students were given the option to take part in the play, she explained. The combination of experience levels in the show allows the performers to form close connections and mentor bonds, Shevitz said.

“Everybody else who’s taken [the class] before helps [the newer students] with projects they’ve already done before,” Shevitz said. “ [Taking the class] also helps you meet a lot of new people you’ll see auditioning for out of school [theater].”