By Cara Martinez
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa Drama Department is currently rehearsing for two plays, “Check Please” and “Picnic,” that will showcase this October and November, respectively.
This is the first time that two plays have been performed in one season, according to Drama teacher Carol Mathews. Mathews hopes that the dual plays will allow for a greater amount of students to participate in a drama production.
“I decided to do two plays this year because there are only eleven people in the cast for “Picnic”, “we needed to provide more opportunities because we have so much cast, Drama Teacher Carol Matthews said.”
“Check Please,” written by Jonathan Rand, is a play set in contemporary times about a boy and girl who break up and encounter a series of blind dates. “Picnic” written by William Inge is a classic old fashion drama about relationships that takes place during the 1950’s.
“Students have to do two one minute monologues contrasting, one dramatic, and one comedic. The students need to include a comedic monologue that’s generic in the packet, if they are called back they will audition this for “Check Please” and we will read sides from the play for “Picnic” Mrs. Matthews said.”
The drama rehearsals for “Check Please” and “Picnic” are held on September 9, and 10 from 3:00-6:00 pm after school. It takes one month to prepare for “Check Please” and it takes two months to prepare for “Picnic” according to Beech.
“My favorite part about the drama plays is the process leading up to the show, Beech said. “The cast and crew create such a tight bond that it becomes something to look forward to everyday.
If the Drama Department has two plays next year it will only depend on the size of the show they choose. The Drama Department does not want to make this an annual event according to Matthews.
“I am very encouraged by the upcoming talent this year as we had eighty students audition for twenty-five parts for both fall shows”, Matthews said.
Preparation for the two fall plays begins right after the spring musical ends and the Drama Department continues to the preparation process throughout the summer. Students have to prepare for their auditions, and memorize monologues, and in addition the students have to do their homework by reading the plays according to Matthews.
“Check Please” will be opened on October 16 and 17, and “Picnic” will be opened on November 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14.
“Having two fall plays is great because it is providing more opportunities for people in the drama and tech departments,” Beech said.
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