Between AP classes and college applications, high school is hard enough for seniors. Add directing a play into the mix, and you have the perfect storm.
Seniors Sophia Brawner and Haley Uselman have been involved with high school plays since sophomore year, so they’ve had a first-hand account of the behind-the-scenes workings of a stage production. This year, they got to be in the driver’s seat as student directors of “The Day the Internet Died.”
First, how does one even get the job of student directing?
Haley, a senior here at BPHS, said, ”I’ve always had an interest in student directing, and I’ve always been involved in fall play, so when Mr. Plummer asked for someone to take up this role, it was easy to join.”
Mr. Plummer is the AV Technical Supervisor, Theater Technical Director, and Director of the Fall Play.
Brawner, also a senior, had a largely similar experience.
“I wanted to be a student director because I’ve been in fall play for three years now, and I figured it would help me keep busy during the process,” she said.
Okay, perfect! Now that the job is filled, one might wonder what the gig involves. Well, Brawner and Uselman have to direct the actors during the rehearsal.
When asked about what a typical rehearsal looks like, Uselman said: “Everyone comes in, and we all say our hellos. Then we start practicing and some great ideas and performances come from the actors. There is a lot of laughing, but we always try to stay focused. Overall, it’s really fun and a rewarding experience.”
The fall play crew spends many weeks preparing for the show. This can be quite a commitment. Naturally, it’s important to balance your directing life with your school life.
Uselman suggests: “You just have to get really good at time management. I’ve learned to do my school work every second I can, but when I’m at fall play, my focus is on fall play.”
Once you wrap rehearsal up, it’s showtime! But how do you get people to come and see the show you put so much time and effort into?
When asked how she plans to promote the show, Brawner said: “I’ve been trying to promote it in multiple ways such as on TikTok and Instagram. I think it is important to spread the word because we are really proud of what we created, and we want people to come and see it”
Student directing seems like a lot of work. What exactly is the draw to directing?
“It’s all worth it because I am able to get really close to all of the cast and support them as actors during their scenes. Getting to be part of this awesome process makes it all worth it,” said Brawner.
All the hard work that Uselman and Brawner have put into student-directing “The Day the Internet Died” will be showcased on stage Nov. 7-9! A behind-the-scenes look can be seen on their Instagram account.
