Every year, the ACHS theater department shows One Acts, a series of short plays with different casts directed by students. One Acts is a competition with each high school moving one short story on to districts. The department had less than six weeks to host auditions, cast, and rehearse, but managed to put on five amazing shows.
Whistle Stop
In the first play of the evening, a 1930s style small town American diner prepares for a visit from the presidential candidate, however, the exciting event causes conflicts and divides between the community members rather than bringing them together. The play follows Sheila, played by junior Scarlett Adcock, an overworked waitress who practically owns the diner with how well she manages it. She becomes increasingly stressed trying to accommodate for the candidate’s visit. By the end of the play, the characters realize that the closeness of their community is what matters most, and that the candidate’s visit should not have gotten in the way of their most important friendships.
While this show features a very large cast, each character had a moment to shine and they all contributed to the overall story. Junior Alan Van der Sluis added a wonderful dose of humor to the performance by portraying a retired old man named Frank who can’t decide what he wants to order. Arianna Lee played a local police officer with nothing to do besides enforcing parking laws, and managed to incorporate unique and interesting silent improv with other actors as a conversation was going on across the set. The actors handled any issues with props well and with humor. Overall, this was a heartwarming story that somehow felt nostalgic despite being set in modern times and set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Jimmy the Antichrist
For the second play of the evening, Titans performed a satire that parodies coming out as gay to your family. The main character Jimmy returns home from college to visit his conservative family and reveals something that he’s been keeping to himself: he is the antichrist. Jimmy explains that he has felt drawn to the occult since his childhood, and that his parents should have seen the signs. The shock of his confessions weighs heavy during the family dinner with his grunge little sister being very accepting while his religious aunt voices her displeasure.
This play is both a humorous mockery and criticism of people who view being gay as equivalent to being the antichrist. The small cast managed to create a short, but very funny and memorable show. Jimmy, played by Senior Augustine Russo, stood out among the cast. He delivered his outlandish lines with such seriousness that you could immerse yourself into the story. Dialogue leading up to Jimmy’s confession made the audience believe that he was actually going to come out as gay, which made the switch even more funny. Overall, the message of the play was impactful and the humor added just enough absurdity but kept the point clear.
Why We Like Love Stories
This was a simple comedy about what teenagers learn from their relationships and who they love. The show follows a group of 4 teens and their hectic love lives throughout the years. The structure of the play allows for the audience to observe how people interact with each other when they are falling in and out of love, especially during the tumultuous years of high school. The play concludes with the lesson that, while love may not look exactly like the dramatic stories we see in the movies, it is still just as beautiful in real life.
While enjoyable, this show was the weakest of the evening plot wise with some moments being dull or confusing. However, the actors are what shined, perfectly tying the show together and bringing it to life. Titan Joel Sokiy somehow managed to deliver his lines comically while breaking up with his girlfriend, and senior Kit Vons incorporated charm into her temperamental and emotional character.
You’re Invited
Written by senior titan Ariana Espiritu, this play follows the lives of a first generation Chinese immigrant family and their conflicts. Two teenage daughters have to navigate challenges surrounding familial pressure while trying to find a way to distance themselves from their mother. The oldest daughter wants to go to college while her mother prepares to host their extended family for a Lunar New Years party. The play starts with a light tone but quickly establishes itself as an interesting commentary on familial pressure and living up to expectations. In the end, the family decides that loving each other is more important than living up to the expectations of people who can’t show that respect back to you.
What stood out most from the show was its ability to feature an impactful individual story while still being applicable to the diverse group of students at ACHS. Although the story is specifically centered around Chinese culture, it is still relatable to many first generation immigrant families of different cultures. The cast had amazing chemistry, especially in serious and emotional scenes during the climax of the play. This was definitely one of the more intense shows of the evening with an ending that was both satisfying and impactful.
How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery
The final play of the evening, this was a satirical take on the stereotypical plot of a murder mystery. It depicts how to get away with a murder as well as how to solve one. The play featured two narrators that guide the audience through the story and the different archetypes of the typical characters you would see in a murder mystery. These included the moody teenager, the elegant aristocrat, the self centered ungentleman, and the murder victim, named Vic Tim. The play is made up of multiple scenarios in different locations, focusing on each possible plot line of a classic murder mystery.
This play was incredibly enjoyable and entertaining. All the actors delivered humorous performances in each outrageous scenario despite the fast paced plot and quick scene changes. The dialogue never allows for a dull moment, and the narrator’s quick witted comments made the audience laugh out loud. This play definitely ended the whole evening on a positive note.
