Trinity Young (The Uprising)
When school started back in September, I had little hope for a normal school year. The world seemed to be falling apart around me and my spirits were down. So when I found out I would be student director, I knew I needed to do something light-hearted. ‘The Uprising’ was just that.
Although I’ve never experienced bullying myself, I can empathize with the concept of having that one person you would do anything to stand up to. Of course, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who doesn’t like you. What matters is your friends and the things that you love. As long as you have that, you have something to keep you going through the dark times.
I’d like to thank Ms. Marks for all of the guidance that she gave to me throughout the process and this amazing learning experience. I would be absolutely lost without her. I would also like to thank Becky and Caroline for their hard work on my show and the others. This show would be a mess without them. And of course, thank you to my wonderful actors and the amazing crew for making this show happen.
“May the force be with you, may the odds be ever in your favor, and may the wind be softly at your back.”
Laya Fridman (I Was There)
Marching down the streets of Washington DC at the March For Our Lives protest, there was a moment I will never forget. Standing amongst the crowd, listening to Ben Platt and Lin Manuel Miranda sing "Found Tonight", the power of their art brought my emotions to a new place. I found myself enraged at the injustice but also regretful at my lack of previous involvement in the issue. It was at that moment that I knew, at some point, I must initiate change myself.
When the time came to pick a show for this year's Fall play, I researched heavily and stumbled across the show "I Was There". After reading the script I was deeply moved by the power of Sam Guzman's words, and it reminded me of my experience at March For Our Lives. I knew that this was my time to initiate change.
Throughout this experience, I have bonded deeply with the actors and our stage manager due to the vulnerability that this show requires. I am so incredibly proud of the group of actors who have put themselves out there and done the difficult work to justly portray this array of characters.
I would like to thank Ms. Marks for helping me through my first experience in directing as it was something I would have struggled greatly with had it not been for her guidance. Additionally, I want to acknowledge and thank our production manager, Becky, for dedicating every ounce of energy she has into bettering all three shows; she is remarkable.
I hope that this show gives you a new perspective on the effects of both bullying and gun violence, and inspires you to initiate change, whatever that means for you, just as the art of Ben Platt and Lin Manuel Miranda did for me.
