Pictured: Annabelle Rankin, Elise Johnson, Kaitlynn Conzoner, Nova Cook, Irene Beer and Naya Basilan during tech week rehearsals.
On March 2nd, 3rd and 4th there was a performance in the black box theater at South Salem High School. It was a play called A Simpler Time, about a trio of teens going back in time in order to find out if life was ever easier. Something that was different about this play though, was that the director was not Mrs. Gibbons. Since A Simpler Time was divided into smaller one-acts, some students signed up for the role of being a student director.
Annabelle Rankin, ‘26, was acting in two of the one acts, so she had two directors.
“They were really appreciative of our ideas and listened to our input,” Rankin said when being asked about her experience with her directors.
Being in a production can be stressful, and directing can be even more so. “My directors never stressed me out, actually both of my directors seemed very calm most of the time. I don’t think I ever saw either of them stressed.” said Rankin.
The student directors got to do all the usual things, like choose when to have black-outs, what costumes would be worn, what props to use and, naturally, directed the rehearsals. There were 7 student directors for the production. Different one-acts had rehearsals at different times, so that the directors could use all the space they needed.
“Oh yeah. Especially if you’re an actor and you’ve done several years of acting, I recommend directing. You get to learn the other side, and you get to learn more about yourself, and how maybe you could act better too. While directing you can learn a lot from other people. And then, yes you’re molding this scene, show, whatever to your own vision, but you still can learn so much, even when it’s in your own image.” Owen John, ‘23, said when asked if he would recommend directing to anyone else,
Overall, the production was successful. They haven’t stopped there though, with 24 hour theater having just happened (March 18th), and another play coming up. The production will be called Puffs, with the cast list being posted today.
