Fresh off the conclusion of its production of the Broadway musical “Curtains,” Dos Pueblos Theatre Company (DPTC) is already shifting to rehearsals for its entirely student-directed vignette-style One Acts performance.
The performance features six DPHS student-directed scenes alongside two scenes that were directed by the DPTC director, Emily Libera.
“It’s a collection of scenes, either stand-alone or from larger works, and from a myriad of different writers and plays,” Libera said.
In previous years, DPTC staged a student-directed show at the end of every year that was produced alongside the spring musical. However, with only one student-directing position available, opportunities were limited.
“It was a little competitive in terms of who got to direct,” Libera said. “It also just ended up not working long term.”
Those student-directed shows were initiated and put on by the previous DPHS theatre director, until Libera decided to change that. The final performance of that show was “Elf The Musical,” which was performed last year.
“A lot of people were clamoring for a directing opportunity in the student-directed show,” said Andrew Cooper (11), a student director and actor for the One Acts performance. “So [Libera] created the One Acts program to open that up to anyone who wanted to try out directing a show.”
Additionally, the production offers opportunities to students looking to stay involved in theater, whether they want additional theater experience or did not land roles in the fall play or spring musical and are looking for another way to pursue theatre.
“It’s important for those students who have that passion to get an opportunity where they can foster that,” Libera said. “And they can do it in a way that’s very creative and safe and exciting for them and low stakes.”
The cast and directing team is composed entirely of DPHS students from Advanced Theatre, a course that was offered in the fall, which Libera said was important in preparing students for the One Acts performance.
She described it as a “musical theatre triple threat boot camp,” meaning students worked on achieving excellence in the three parts of musical theatre: singing, dancing, and acting.
Last fall, Libera said she brought up the initial idea for a collection of student-directed scenes, and since then, the students have gone through the process of selecting scenes, casting actors, and rehearsing for the performance.
“There’s a read-through at the beginning to just see how your actors can flow in a scene together,” said Chloe Minor (11), a student director and actor for the One Acts performance. “And then you can play to their strengths so you can work with them and make the scene as good as you possibly can.”
In preparation for the performance, rehearsals have been taking place during the seminar and lunch. Most student directors have been finishing up blocking their scenes and beginning work with stagecraft students on sets, props, and costumes. Then, on Monday, all of the student directors and actors came together for their first full run-through altogether.
According to both Cooper and Minor, the cast is feeling excited and well-prepared in anticipation of the upcoming performance, and they encourage anyone and everyone to attend and witness the theatre community.
“It’s very much about the community that we’re building,” Minor said.
Much like the fall play, “Community Garden,” the One Acts explore complex connections through a group of interconnected plot lines, according to Libera.
“If you’re looking for something fun at the end of the year, this is a great way to spend your Friday or Saturday night,” Libera said. “You’ll laugh, you’ll be spooked, you’ll feel
emotional, and you’ll get to see a lot of your friends onstage.”
The performance will take place on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23.
“I think you’ll really be able to see the skill of all of the different students within the DPTC, and also the strength of that community,” Cooper said. “People hopefully will be very impressed when they see the final result.”
