The props were ready, house lights dimming, all the characters in place, and the game was afoot. At 4:00 p.m. on April 2, a cast of ten began their three night stretch performing “Clue” in Founders Hall.
Unexpectedly, during the first few weeks of the semester, theater teacher Michael Nevarez stepped into the teaching role for the upper school play production. For the show, Nevarez decided on “Clue,” which he had been wanting to do for quite a while. Even with many years of experience directing plays, this was Nevarez’s first upper school production at UPrep, but it was not easy. He was directing two other shows this semester and the class had limited rehearsal time.
“It was really cool to see them really rise to the occasion in such a short amount of time,” Nevarez said. “It was a reminder that you know, you really should never underestimate students.”
“Clue” was a first for others at the school too. Junior Zoe Mirchandani tried out acting in a play for the first time this year, after performing in musicals since seventh grade.
“I didn’t think I was going to do theater, but I decided to switch into the play last minute,” Mirchandani said. “I’m glad I did because I think it was cool to really work on my acting skills.”
Mirchandani has found a strong theater community at UPrep that she believes is uplifting and cooperative.
“I think it’s a very supportive community to be a part of,” Mirchandani said. “I think everybody just wants others to succeed.”
Ninth grader Lidia Pauk appreciates the size of UPrep’s theater program compared to other schools because it allows her to act in bigger roles than she would be given elsewhere.
“One thing I like about our smaller theater program, it’s like, ‘Oh, I did that.’ That’s fun,” Pauk said.
Nevarez is excited for the future of the program. He started the Thespies program at UPrep, which allows students in the thespian troupe to compete and perform at festivals. He sees more excitement surrounding the productions and more engagement from the casts.
“I’m really loving seeing more and more students coming in, wanting to be involved, you know, during community times and during lunch times,” Nevarez said. “Not just around the shows, but around the drama club and the Thespians activity that we’re doing, there just seems to be more of a buzz now and more camaraderie.”
Pauk encourages people to try theater out, even if they feel unsure.
“If you’re thinking about doing theater or trying something new, especially the plays, I really recommend it,” Pauk said. “I feel like it’s a super great community.”
