Graduating to the Director’s Chair

*This article was originally posted on the first DHS news site in May of 2022*

On Friday, May 13, the DHS Theater Department performed their four senior-directed productions, or SOAPS, to showcase the students’ collaborative effort and allow the seniors to reflect on, utilize, and develop their abilities.

The four productions being put on are “Marisol” directed by Joshua Rogers and Seraphim Wright, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” directed by Jasmati Evans, “Over the River and Through the Woods” directed by Ariel Blanco, and “Death Takes the Train” directed by Shelby Luker.

These plays were about more than just a fun night of experimentation, though. Theater director Abraham Ramirez said that the main purpose of this project is to implement all that they have learned in their years of high school theater while experiencing the directing process.

“It allows them to recall all their training as an actor and technician and build upon those skills,” said Ramirez, “which is what a director does.”

Senior Seraphim Wright’s experience as a director exemplifies the fulfillment of this purpose. Wright said that she has walked away from this project having learned some valuable lessons.

“Seeing the show progress throughout the rehearsal process has been my favorite part,” said Wright, “This project has taught me problem-solving skills and how to communicate in a more effective way.”

The unique situation presented its own set of struggles that allowed for the problem-solving skills that Wright mentioned to really develop. For instance, at first, there was tension between the student directors and the actors, who were not used to having peers running the show. However, the frustration faded as they all gained experience and settled into their roles.

In the end, “it was no different from working with a professional director,” said junior and actor Christian Christovich.

Seniors were not the only ones being given new opportunities, though. The plays also gave students outside of the theater program the chance to try out the stage. One of these students was freshman Jacinda Morales, who enjoyed watching her peers in their element.

“Since I’m not regularly in theater,” said Morales, “it’s really cool to see everyone working together on their own to assemble a production.”

Junior and actor Kylie Valenta echoed Morales’ sentiment. To her, the highlight of the process was seeing these high schoolers take charge.

“I think that it is really cool that the students work with each other and hold each other accountable without there having to be an adult there,” Valenta said.

Ramirez said that seeing his students excel has been the best part of this project for him.

Ramirez said, “The best part as a teacher and mentor is seeing them, each in their own way, utilizing their strength in the art form; be it showing actors how to physicalize a character, creating beautiful stage pictures, or teaching impeccable comedic timing.”

These successful performances marked the first SOAPs production at Davenport high school – ingraining yet another tradition into the stoneworks of this developing campus, and making an even bigger name for the DHS Pack Players.