Photo Essay: One Acts: A Student Run Production
Junior Natalie Marmelstein fixes junior Johnell McConnell’s hair before she goes on stage to play her role as Lady Fingers in the play “SPLAT”. “My character came from royalty in Australia, and came to watch her husband play in his favorite show. But after her husband disappears, she is pulled from the audience to take his place. She later finds out her husband was killed by another contestant, the monkey,” McConnell said.
The booth is where students are able to control the lighting and sound, and has a very lax environment. “Working in the booth is fun and it’s honestly a glorified hang out spot, so we chill out here and eat snacks and watch the performance,” sophomore Cal Murphy said.
With less than 15 minutes to go until rehearsal, junior Ginger Speer touches up junior Liliana Katz-Hollander’s makeup as quick as they can. Theatre is incredibly versatile, and allows the members to experience new things through the roles they choose. “I’m in makeup because I love doing colorful looks on myself and I wanted to experience tech week, which isn’t part of publicity, my main crew. It’s been so much fun and I’ve learned a lot from everyone. I definitely recommend joining if you’re creative and like spending time with people!” Speer said.
Members of The Black Maskers’ running crew rehearse a dance while the actors are getting their makeup done. The running crew is the backbone of the entire show, moving sets around, opening and closing the curtains, reminding the actors to get in places, etc. Although they mostly work behind the scenes, they get stage time too! “During intermission, the running crew does a dance on stage,” junior Erin Caplan said.
Senior Divya Chaudry does senior Victoria Dziasek’s makeup for her role in “SPLAT”. There is not one correct way to do each person’s makeup. Since each makeup artist isn’t assigned actors, they have to figure it out along the way by asking the actors for advice on what their character should look like. “All of the makeup we use is either donated or purchased from cheaper locations so that we don’t have to use a huge part of our budget for it. Most actors bring their own concealer so that we don’t have to buy everyone’s exact shade, and it all works out,” Chaudry said.
Freshman Brianna Martinez-Olivares has her mic put in by junior Erica Saulsbury. Saulsbury works on sound, setting up and sorting the mic packages and then helping the actors put them on. The sound department also utilizes various ways to cover the mics up with makeup and tape.
Junior Paavani Lal Das helps junior Fadekemi Laniyonu attach her mic set. Laniyonu plays the character of ‘Clancy’ in the play “SAY WHAT?”, and she loves it. “Clancy is such a chaotic, anxiety ridden character, that it’s honestly so entertaining to be able to put her on every night, and I have such a blast doing it,” Laniyonu said. Many members of the show claim that it gives them a sense of belonging, and Lal Das agrees. “I really feel like since I started One Acts, I feel connected to my community and honestly you just find a connection with tons of people that you couldn’t in another setting,” Lal Das said.
Junior Erin Caplan, one of the assistant producers for One Acts, lines up the actors of “SPLAT” on stage to rehearse their bows.
Although former technical Director of the Black Maskers Eric Rodney retired earlier this year, he came back to visit the crew one last time before the day of the show. Mr. Rodney has been a huge part of the theatre department for over 25 years, and has been greatly missed by many of the members, such as Natalie Morrison (far left). “Mr. Rodney has always been just such a welcoming, kind and funny presence in drama and in all aspects will be missed so much. I wish him all the best though in this new chapter and I hope he comes back to visit!” Morrison said.
