MacArthur Students Display Talents at Theatre Showcase

The MacArthur High School Theatre Honor Society's fall production is not your average school play. Performing original work written and directed by their peers, the students burst with pride as they sing, dance and act their hearts out on stage.

"I'm so proud of the work we've done," said MacArthur senior Lisa Stockman, who student directed the show along with seniors Jesse Frye and Stephanie Weiss. "It's great seeing your work come alive."

The 2010 Theatre Showcase consisted of 23 separate scenes, both written by students and pulled from professional productions. Production Coordinator Paige Hardison let the student directors take the reigns, even giving them the license to select pieces and choreograph dance numbers.

Fit for an audience with a short attention span, scenes are brief and range from serious monologues to colorful musical numbers. The stage crew, Nicholas Efthimiades, Katie Pallini and John Mazzarella overseen by Stage Manager Lianna Weissman, kept the flow going by efficiently adjusting the set between each scene.

"Everyone worked so hard," said Weiss. 

Students took on multiple roles throughout the night, transitioning smoothly into each character they played. Damon Evans had the audience laughing as goofy Patrick from popular cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants", but just six scenes later recited an emotional monologue from "Teenage Mouth" in which he played Ernie, a teenager who lost his father, and a piece of himself, to a car accident.

Laura Bopp wrote and performed in her own short but sweet monologue about baking life's problems away, and Gabi Ciuffetelli and John Mazzarella played a bickering engaged couple in another one of her original pieces.

Other students whose pieces were performed were Michelle Antonucci, Chelsea Weintraub, Kathryn Pallini, Helen Papayannakos, Jaclyn Sullivan, Lauren and Randi Saunders, and Ciuffetelli, who also showcased her strong vocal talents as Winifred from "Once Upon a Mattress". 

"A lot of people wrote original things that truly came from their hearts," said Stockman.

It was a different experience for the three student directors, who have each performed in multiple school productions, to be behind the scenes instead of in the spotlight.

"It's a new perspective," said Weiss. 

"It's cool to see it from the other side," added Stockman.

The eclectic show ended on a high note with a group performance of the "Hairspray" favorite "You Can't Stop the Beat".

"The show went great tonight," said a beaming Frye, who added the production is the result of a month of rehearsing.

A free performance was held for senior citizens Wednesday afternoon and energy was running high at round two Thursday evening. The last chance to see this year's showcase will be Friday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. in the MacArthur High School auditorium at 3369 Old Jerusalem Road. Tickets are $5 at the door.