The San Lorenzo Valley High School drama department has had to reinvent itself a few times in the last 18 months. From canceling its on-stage production of “Chicago” after opening weekend due to the arrival of Covid-19, to pressing forward with live, online productions of shows. Students and staff have demonstrated remarkable adaptability in the ever-changing protocols and politics of live theater.
Thankfully, the drama department is back on track, and bringing “The End of the World (With Prom to Follow)” to the stage. Written by Sean Abley, the play is directed by seniors Jacqueline Lopez and Shimona Miller and is slated to run Oct. 15-24 at the SLV Performing Arts Center. The play is set in Great Falls, Montana, and “explores mortality, friendship, and the survival of ethics when survival itself is at stake.”
Andy Matessa, a junior at Coast Redwood High School, plays an anarchist in the production, and he finds that he himself is a polar opposite of his character, Tom.
“He’s a massive hypocrite. He thinks he knows what he’s doing, but he contradicts himself throughout the show,” Matessa said. “I love getting to ham it up as the antagonist of the production. People actually boo me. I think it’s a lot of fun.”
Senior Chloe Stoops found the experience to be a little chaotic.
“I haven’t been on stage since I was a freshman, so it’s odd to see the dynamic. I really enjoy it,” she said.
Junior Jamie McClean (Terrell) said, “Coming back to live theater after Covid is a shock, but it’s such a relief to be back with my friends, and have the full theater experience again.”
Daria Troxell, theater booster president and student-directed volunteer mentor, shared her team’s gratitude to the drama parents.
“As a mentor, I’m so proud of watching this group get back into the swing of performing live. We couldn’t be doing this production without the support of parents,” she said. “We had a lot of families who had been previously associated with the boosters graduate last year, so it’s exciting to have new people involved in the process. We’re also grateful to the administration for allowing us to return to live productions. Thanks to everyone who supports our drama program.”
Performance Dates
- 7pm on Oct. 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23
- 2pm on Oct. 17 and 24
Ticket prices
- General Admission – $12
- Student/Senior/SLV Staff – $10
- Community Night (10/21) – $10
A limited number of tickets will be available to purchase at the door one hour prior to showtime; tickets are available online at the SLV Theatre Boosters webpage. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.
