Neuqua Valley High School’s Freshmen One-Acts, a series of fast-paced, humorous shows, let first-year students take center stage under the guidance of upperclassmen directors.
Performances take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school’s Black Box Theatre, 2360 95th St. in Naperville.
“It’s a great opportunity for the underclassmen to come in work and with kids who have been involved in the theater program all along,” said English teacher Paula Rossi, who is overseeing the production.
“These are small casts with student directors who remember clearly what it feels like to be on the other end of this; they are teaching each other, which is a really beautiful thing to see.”
And while each play is different, the vignettes — two of which are written by the student directors — share a common theme.
“I chose a general theme of ‘Back to the Future,’ which just meant that time had to have some sort of impact on the script,” Rossi said. “I told the directors to come to me with a script they believe in and tell me what their vision is (for the production). I really left it pretty open and they came to me in a really thorough and impressive way.”
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Trying out for a theater production in a school of 4,000 students could be intimidating, but not this one, student co-director Lauren Fisher said.
“Freshmen One-Acts are really about introducing freshmen to the world of theater at Neuqua,” said Fisher, who co-wrote and is directing “The Penny” with junior Sami Ackerman and senior Ryan Adams. “I hope this (opportunity) encourages them to continue to do it throughout their high school career.”
Ackerman shared the sentiment.
“I hope they are meeting a lot of new people and that they make a lot of really good friends through this,” Ackerman said. “I hope they can learn what theater can do for them — not just the acting stuff — but the other benefits for life that come through theater.”
Rossi made an effort to find a role for every student who auditioned, and scripts were modified to ensure that occurred. Freshman Collin Searls was cast in two parts in his first-ever high school production.
“I enjoy how it is different from a big-name production,” Searls, 15, said. “The plays are short and funny and they are easy to memorize. You can put your own spin on them because the directors really give you freedom to do what you want to do.”
With more than 50 students involved as actors and directors, Rossi said she is excited by what she sees on both sides of the production.
“Many of these kids are raw — they are brand new to acting — and the directors have helped them through these scenes,” Rossi said. “I have watched them go from just reading the lines to these hilarious creative characters on stage. These guys have been so impressive.”
Neuqua Valley Freshmen One-Acts will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Neuqua Valley High School Black Box Theatre, 2360 95th St., Naperville. Tickets: $7 at the door or online at www.nvhstheatre.com.