Before you read: On March 14, the North drama club debuted its production of the award-winning one-act “All in the Timing.” This collection of one-act plays is known for its witty explorations of language, relationships and time.
WORKING TOGETHER | A big difference in "All In The Timing" from other productions relied on both crew and cast working together to move set pieces. For junior Silas Wooten, this was a big learning moment. “I think some skills I gained were coordination with my fellow actors, because not only do we have to perform the play but we have to do all these transitions and move all these set pieces," Wooten said. “A lot of the time these set pieces are either already on stage or moved by stage crew but we move a lot of these set pieces in these transitions that we had to figure out and coordinate with everybody.”
Description: In a universe where people are trapped in different cities with different experiences, junior Silas Wooten poses in a restaurant setting with senior Wes Ramsey.
Photo Credit: Yana Bottigliero
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS | While North's past productions had a consistent way of working together for scenes, “All In The Timing" included more small groups distributed amongst the plays for blocking and character discussions. This atmosphere was enjoyed by junior A Schroeder. "Compared to previous productions the process of working on this show was more individual, working in the small one-act groupings to discuss characters and potential blocking choices," Schroeder said. "I enjoyed the different atmosphere and break in the style of directing that the shows at North typically take."
Description: Junior A Schroeder plays the part of a monkey being studied by scientists to test how long it takes for the three chimps to write Hamlet.
Photo Credit: Molly Lau
COLLABORATING MINDS | Large productions require the labor of many minds working together. According to sophomore Ronan Smith, working as a team helps spark creativity. “My favorite parts of the show were working with others to produce, as well as coming up with transitions in between,” Smith said.
Description: Sophomore Ronan Smith plays the part of soviet politician Leon Trotsky in “Variations on the Death of Trotsky”.
Photo Credit: Yana Bottigliero
NEW EXPERIENCES | When working on a large-scale production, according to junior Olivia Sexton, getting a chance to work with a variety of people is crucial. Sexton believes building new connections is equally as important. “It was different because there were different little plays in one so I got to work with different people that I usually wouldn't work with,” Sexton said. “It was really cool actually.”
Description: This one-act titled “Philip Glass Buys a loaf of Bread” is a rhythmically presented story about composer Philip Glass buying a loaf of bread.
Photo Credit: Yana Bottigliero
SURE THING | No matter how many times a play might be rehearsed, it is still a little intimidating to act for an audience, according to junior Wes Ramsey. "Honestly, my favorite part of this production was opening night," Ramsey said. "Getting to see how the audience was truly going to react to all the work we had put in was scary but extremely rewarding."
Description: Senior Wes Ramsey gazes into the eyes of his character's love interest in a one-act where two people meet with the scene continually resetting until they romantically connect.
Photo Credit: Molly Lau
BUILDING SKILL | In the past, freshman Henry Sommers had to work hard to grow into his roles. That is why playing his role as the reincarnation of Marie Antoinette was the most memorable experience of the production. "My favorite part was that this is the first role that I've gotten that I've actually auditioned for, and that I really wanted," Sommers said. "So that whole process was very fun from the start."
Description: Freshman Henry Sommers sits on a building beam with two other student actors in “Mere Mortal,” where three construction workers are all reincarnations of famous historical figures.
Photo Credit: Yana Bottigliero
METHOD ACTING | The actions of Don, the con artist in “The Universal Language,” play solidifies his good character according to freshman Michael Hardy. He found small ways to connect with his rather eccentric character. “I strongly relate to Don's hyper and passionate nature," Hardy said. "I share that same level of excitement for numerous aspects of my life. I also admire his choice to refuse Dawn's money. Despite any initial bad intentions, he ultimately can't bring himself to act on them, which speaks volumes about his character."
Description: Portraying the teacher of a made-up language, freshman Michael Hardy poses with his co-star, playing a student attempting to learn the language his character advertises.
Photo Credit: Molly Lau