Dos Pueblos High School Theater Company students are putting on their annual show, “Holiday Package,” with Directors Chloe Minor (11), Andrew Cooper (11), and Malachi Cottrell (11) selecting, organizing, and directing each submitted scene to put together the final production. “Holiday Package” will be taking place on Dec. 4 and 5, 2025, at the Elings Performing Arts Center.
“Our job was very hard because we had a lot of good scripts and a lot of scripts that we really wanted to find a way to include in there,” Cooper said. “Another thing that we really wanted to bring forth with this specific ‘Holiday Package’ was a musical element, and we actually had a lot of great scripts submitted to us without really telling people that already.”
Scripts for “Holiday Package” were submitted by DPHS students and reviewed by the directors to form their final lineup. According to the directors, the goal of the production is to include scenes that relate to DPHS while also incorporating elements such as Christmas, comedy, and pop culture.
“There are also a bunch of DP-related scripts, like we have a script about DPNews and also a script about Mr. Perry and Mr. Woodard,” Minor said. “We chose a bunch of scenes that fit well together, but also contrast, so there’s a bit of comedy and stuff that relates to the students.”
Back in October, DPHS Theater Company held auditions and cast around 35 students. The directors finalized the cast based on availability and how well students fit into specific scenes.
“Auditions are less like ‘Oh, will I get in or will I not?’” Cottrell said. “It’s more like, ‘What are you good at?’”
All three directors had acted in previous showings of “Holiday Package,” and their love for the production inspired them to take on this year’s directing role.
“I’ve always been interested in directing,” Minor said. “I’ve been in the ‘Holiday Package’ for the past two years, and it’s been super fun. I really like the community around theater, and I really like being in a leadership position too. It’s been fun to be able to create something and also be a part of it.”
The directors said they had to collaborate closely to organize the production of “Holiday Package,” and having three directors helped with carrying out duties.
“This year there are three of us, and I am a fan of that, really,” Cooper said. “I think that in this case, three heads are better than one. For instance, we can split up and diverge. It’s collaborative, and it’s all of our baby.”
While collaborating can bring challenges, the directors have been able to work well together and compromise, bringing all their different ideas and perspectives to work together.
“It’s challenging because we all have different ideas and different perspectives, but I’m so glad they are there,” Cottrell said. “We hold each other accountable, so even though we have different perspectives, it’s exceptionally helpful because we’re able to work together on different things.”
The directors believe that “Holiday Package” is an entertaining production meant to make viewers laugh while encouraging both the audience and the actors to have fun.
“You’re there to have fun and see your friends do crazy things they normally wouldn’t do, and laugh with them,” Cooper said. “It’s a collaboration of all these students and their creative visions and their ideas.”
