Seasoned and award-winning performers, Newark High School seniors Ian Murphy and Jadon Kowaleski learned much from their recent experience of writing the One-Act comedy play script “Pride and Peasantry” and directing that was performed in the NHS auditorium June 1st after only a month of rehearsals.
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Murphy and Kowaleski’s own words explain invaluable insights they gleaned:
“The opportunity to write and direct our own play was not one we took for granted and it has quickly become a treasured memory. We were both writers already, but writing this play together was a whole new level of rewarding. We spent the better part of spring break hammering it out—constantly laughing at whatever new joke our partner had just come up with. Then came the directing portion. This was far more demanding, but proportionally rewarding. It was here we learned the most, not only specifics regarding the directing of a play but also big, real world communication skills. While directing, quality communication is a necessity in order to get what you want out of the actors on stage. This meant we had to be sure our methods of communication were tailored towards the actors—those receiving said communication. Our big takeaway was that it’s not about how we want to say it, it’s about how they need to hear it.
“We’ve been met with very positive reactions to the show, not only in the lobby immediately following the performance but even days later we’ve been hearing good things around the school. It reminds us of the positive impact that theatre can have, and that we can have, on the surrounding community.”
NHS Drama Club Advisor and English 11 teacher Emily Howard instituted the One-Act play tradition in 2015.
“I suggested having the club produce a short play as a final sendoff for the year. The purpose of the One-Act is to provide an opportunity for students to take on leadership and design elements in a low stakes environment. It is completely student-produced, directed, designed, and performed. In years past, it has also served as a recruitment tool to bring in new members,” she said.
This year Drama Club created a One-Act Committee,” Howard continued. “That group of six students took on the role of "producer" and met in March and April to choose a script, decide dates, "hire" artistic staff, and handle other logistics such as building use forms, script approval, and budget. Jadon and Ian proposed the idea of writing an original script to the committee. Together they wrote ‘Pride and Peasantry’ and presented it for approval. The group decided to produce their work and began the process of hiring artistic staff including Director (or in this case, Directors), Set Designer, Costume Designer, Props Master, Sound Designer, Graphic Designer, and Stage Manager. I created a shared folder and provided resource documents for each of the roles. The Artistic Team met regularly at Production Meetings where progress was discussed and shared with designers. The Stage Manager sent out reports so that everyone received the information.
“In a typical production, I take on a majority of these design elements,” she continued. “Therefore, my cast and crew does not get to experience what a more typical production process would look like. The One-Act gives them a chance to practice not only theatre design skills, but also real-world communication techniques. As directors, Jadon and Ian held auditions and rehearsals throughout the month of May. I was available at all rehearsals and meetings to provide support. I love seeing the students take ownership of the production. They get to see the challenges I face when mounting a larger production. The process of producing a show is a tremendous undertaking. I am very impressed with all the students who chose to participate _ the artistic team, the cast, and the crew. I am proud of each student for taking on this challenge.”
Here’s who participated:
Playwrights: Jadon Kowaleski and Ian Murphy Directors: Jadon Kowaleski and Ian Murphy Producers: Taya Hilfiker, Bella Humphrey, Jadon Kowaleski, Ian Murphy, Shyanne Pilozzi, Camryn Tolleson Sound Designer: Gio Modafarri Set Designer: Courtney Jadus Costume Designer: Isabella Cary Props Master: Leeann Titus Graphic Designer/Program: Shyanne Pilozzi The Cast: Luis Alonso Barbosa Cast Guard 1 Addison Burgess Cast The Queen Anna Eckert Cast Commoner 1 Ave Ellis Cast Commoner 4 Brooklyn Hand Cast Commoner 2 Bailey Harris Cast Ensemble Taya Hilfiker Cast Ensemble Bella Humphrey Cast Cousin Kenny Ethan Klock Cast Guard 2 Mikalya Miller Cast Commoner 5 Matiece Miller Cast Ensemble Kalyn Norton Cast Commoner 3 Shyanne Pilozzi Cast Ensemble Kloie Sergeant Cast Delivery Person Cole Talbot Cast Crook Camryn Tolleson Cast Outsider Ethan Tonkinson Cast Coroner Crew: Stage Manager: Ryan Hinks Assistant Stage Manager: Chloe Semmler Lightboard Operator: Kiera Blevins Sound FX Operator: Emma Titus Deck Crew: Olivia Demer, Raina George, Caspian Wunder