‘The Dining Room’ is bound to serve a theatrical feast

By Ava Klein
Staff Writer

The Mira Costa Drama Department’s fall show is sure to be a topic of conversation at dinner tables across the South Bay.

The fall play, “The Dining Room,” which is directed by Costa drama teacher Carol Matthews and director Luke Yankee, will open on Nov. 5.

Yankee and Matthews held auditions during the week of Sept. 20. In order to audition, students prepared a one-minute dramatic or comedic monologue to perform in front of Yankee and Matthews. The next day the directors held call-backs in which they invited a select number of students to perform a second time. At call-backs, students were given scenes from the play to perform so the directors could see more of their acting abilities.

“I was absolutely thrilled when I made the cast of the fall play,” sophomore Sawyer Fuller said. “It was a really hard show to get into because of the competitive auditioning process, and I am just thrilled that I will get to be a part of this production.”

Despite the loss of many talented performers in last year’s graduating class, Drama Thespian Club president and senior Kristin O’Brien is optimistic about Costa’s future plays and budding talent.

“We miss performing with the people who graduated last year,” O’Brien said. “It’s definitely the people that make the experience. The Drama Department continues to be full of talented people dedicated to making each production successful.”

The Dining Room was first performed in New York, written and directed by A.R. Gurney in January 1981. The play is set entirely in the dining room of a wealthy, elitist New England family, with some satirical, funny and touching scenes.

The dining table represents a touchstone for all families. One of the most memorable scenes occurs when a young college student interviews his aunt about how people would eat in such a dining room.

The Mira Costa Drama Department is very excited to begin the rehearsals for the first play of the school year. Although it will require many long hours of rehearsal, they are ready to put in the work.

“I’m really excited to see where our department will go in the future. We have really enthusiastic underclassmen, which is extremely exciting,” O’Brien said. “I hope the fall and future plays bring new opportunities for students to showcase their talent and creativity whether it be onstage or behind the scenes.”