Behind the scenes: What happens in Stage Tech May 9, 2024 — by Grace Lin One of the smallest classes on campus — just three students — takes place in the Thermond Drama Center after 6th period on every Blue Day. The three students in Stage Tech — sophomore Ben Davies, freshman Ashmik Ray and freshman Neel Jayavant — review their agenda with drama teacher Ben Brotzman at the start […] read more » Drama invited to attend Festival Fringe in Scotland for first time in almost two decades May 5, 2024 — by Kathy Wang The bustling streets explode with laughter as a variety of street performers ranging from dancers, acrobationists and mimes — fill the sidewalks. This is a typical scene at the annual Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, which occurs every summer. This year, 13 drama students will be among those crowds attending and performing at the Festival […] read more » Under the stage: Pit orchestra elevates drama performance May 4, 2024 — by Florence Wei Eyes locked on one another, members of the pit orchestra opened with a fast-moving scale. Each musician paid attention to what went on above them, ready to adjust to any changes on stage. With the spring musical “Something Rotten” running from April 26 to May 4, the drama program has relied heavily on collaborating with […] read more » Spring musical actors work to embody the bizarre characters in ‘Something Rotten’ April 19, 2024 — by Christina Labban The cast for the spring musical, “Something Rotten,” was announced in February. Of the leading roles, junior Ryan Backhus will play William Shakespeare, junior Apollo Burgess will play Nick Bottom and senior Arushi Maheshwar will be Nigel Bottom. There will be four shows held over two weekends: April 26 to 28 and May 3 to […] read more » Drama prepares for upcoming spring musical ‘Something Rotten’ April 3, 2024 — by Emma Fung During performances that run from April 26 to May 4, a cast of 24 actors will step out onto the McAfee Center stage to perform the well-liked musical “Something Rotten.” The musical, written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick in 2015, tells the comedic tale of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, both aspiring playwrights […] read more » Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Drama invited to attend Festival Fringe in Scotland for first time in almost two decades May 5, 2024 — by Kathy Wang The bustling streets explode with laughter as a variety of street performers ranging from dancers, acrobationists and mimes — fill the sidewalks. This is a typical scene at the annual Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, which occurs every summer. This year, 13 drama students will be among those crowds attending and performing at the Festival […] read more » Under the stage: Pit orchestra elevates drama performance May 4, 2024 — by Florence Wei Eyes locked on one another, members of the pit orchestra opened with a fast-moving scale. Each musician paid attention to what went on above them, ready to adjust to any changes on stage. With the spring musical “Something Rotten” running from April 26 to May 4, the drama program has relied heavily on collaborating with […] read more » Spring musical actors work to embody the bizarre characters in ‘Something Rotten’ April 19, 2024 — by Christina Labban The cast for the spring musical, “Something Rotten,” was announced in February. Of the leading roles, junior Ryan Backhus will play William Shakespeare, junior Apollo Burgess will play Nick Bottom and senior Arushi Maheshwar will be Nigel Bottom. There will be four shows held over two weekends: April 26 to 28 and May 3 to […] read more » Drama prepares for upcoming spring musical ‘Something Rotten’ April 3, 2024 — by Emma Fung During performances that run from April 26 to May 4, a cast of 24 actors will step out onto the McAfee Center stage to perform the well-liked musical “Something Rotten.” The musical, written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick in 2015, tells the comedic tale of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, both aspiring playwrights […] read more » Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Under the stage: Pit orchestra elevates drama performance May 4, 2024 — by Florence Wei Eyes locked on one another, members of the pit orchestra opened with a fast-moving scale. Each musician paid attention to what went on above them, ready to adjust to any changes on stage. With the spring musical “Something Rotten” running from April 26 to May 4, the drama program has relied heavily on collaborating with […] read more » Spring musical actors work to embody the bizarre characters in ‘Something Rotten’ April 19, 2024 — by Christina Labban The cast for the spring musical, “Something Rotten,” was announced in February. Of the leading roles, junior Ryan Backhus will play William Shakespeare, junior Apollo Burgess will play Nick Bottom and senior Arushi Maheshwar will be Nigel Bottom. There will be four shows held over two weekends: April 26 to 28 and May 3 to […] read more » Drama prepares for upcoming spring musical ‘Something Rotten’ April 3, 2024 — by Emma Fung During performances that run from April 26 to May 4, a cast of 24 actors will step out onto the McAfee Center stage to perform the well-liked musical “Something Rotten.” The musical, written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick in 2015, tells the comedic tale of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, both aspiring playwrights […] read more » Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Spring musical actors work to embody the bizarre characters in ‘Something Rotten’ April 19, 2024 — by Christina Labban The cast for the spring musical, “Something Rotten,” was announced in February. Of the leading roles, junior Ryan Backhus will play William Shakespeare, junior Apollo Burgess will play Nick Bottom and senior Arushi Maheshwar will be Nigel Bottom. There will be four shows held over two weekends: April 26 to 28 and May 3 to […] read more » Drama prepares for upcoming spring musical ‘Something Rotten’ April 3, 2024 — by Emma Fung During performances that run from April 26 to May 4, a cast of 24 actors will step out onto the McAfee Center stage to perform the well-liked musical “Something Rotten.” The musical, written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick in 2015, tells the comedic tale of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, both aspiring playwrights […] read more » Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Drama prepares for upcoming spring musical ‘Something Rotten’ April 3, 2024 — by Emma Fung During performances that run from April 26 to May 4, a cast of 24 actors will step out onto the McAfee Center stage to perform the well-liked musical “Something Rotten.” The musical, written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick in 2015, tells the comedic tale of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, both aspiring playwrights […] read more » Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ March 24, 2024 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si During a recent performance of “Now and Then,” playgoers were treated to an unusual sight: junior Chloe Mantle and sophomore Nila Venkataratnam hollering in sync, “I’m talking to myself!” at senior Ryan Cagliostro and junior Ryan Backhus. Mantle and Venkataratnam were in fact playing young Abby and future Abby, two versions of the same character […] read more » Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Drama takes on spring musical ‘Something Rotten,’ annual festival and a trip to Southern California January 31, 2024 — by Christina Labban This semester, the drama program is busy preparing for a variety of productions and festivals. On tap is the spring musical: “Something Rotten.” Students will also attend the California Thespian Festival, which celebrates competition pieces and provides workshops for different areas in drama, in Southern California from April 5-7. In addition, nine plays will be […] read more » Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Vignette-focused fall play offers varied perspectives on love November 16, 2023 — by Alan Cai and Divya Vadlakonda The lights of the McAfee Center dimmed as junior Apollo Burgess, playing the role of the energetic Jimmy, ran into his aloof ex-girlfriend Sandrine, played by junior Annaliese Shab, at a bar. The catch: Sandrine was engaged with another man and was celebrating her bachelorette party at that moment. It took a moment for Jimmy […] read more » Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Falcon Focus: Ariana Tootoonchi shines on stage in 14 productions in her high school career November 15, 2023 — by Christina Labban Senior Ariana Tootoonchi gained widespread praise last fall for her heart-rending portrayal of Mary Warren in “The Crucible,” one of over 14 drama productions she has starred in over her high school career. “She played Mary Warren with so much passion and accuracy, and there was so much intensity in her voice she almost brought […] read more » Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next
Drama program to hold student-directed plays October 21, 2023 — by Richard Fan and Jeremy Si The drama program is hosting two student-directed productions this semester: “Suite Surrender,” a play directed by senior Ryan Cagliostro and “Title of Show,” a musical directed by senior Ashly Henry. The cast members of the drama program are preparing for the shows by rehearsing parts of the 90-minute play for an hour during tutorials and […] read more » 12next