Since the beginning of this semester the Advanced Theater Production (ATP) class has been working on their annual showcase. This year the class performed four vignettes, all dealing with different perspectives on mental illness.

“Originally, I had the idea to do something about adolescence,” said Mrs. Angela Smithhisler, drama teacher, “but the students decided to tackle something heavier and less talked about.”

Students were split into groups to write scenes about various mental illnesses and then voted on the final four scenes to eventually produce. The four scenes included: living with a sibling who has autism, written by Lincoln Robisch; having a parent with alcoholism, written by Garrett Wiehler; eating disorders, written by Emma Wynkoop and Brenna Lindsay; and obsessive compulsive disorder, written by Sarah Maerten.

The writers of each scene were also in charge of casting and directing each scene with the assistance of Mrs. Smithhisler. The students in the Technical Theater class were then paired with the writers to develop the lighting and sound cues, as well as gather props for the scenes.

“We were trying to get a minimalist vibe while still successfully conveying the environment of each scene,” said Sarah Jamison, a junior in the technical theater class.

The show’s one-time performance took place in the theater classroom, which achieved a more intimate feeling.

“I think this is an intense production, and it is important to bring the audience in close for that,” said Macy Armagost, a sophomore who starred in the eating disorder scene.

You can catch another advanced performing arts production on May 22 with the Advanced Dance Production Showcase.