The Theater Department’s next production, All Night Diner, is just around the corner!
In this innovative model of theatrical storytelling, students take the lead in the creation, collaborative production, and performance of entirely original one-act plays. The series of one-acts is written by sophomores in NMSA’s playwriting class, directed by the seniors from the Directing Class, and acted by the entire theater company. All of the plays are set in a diner, and a total of 65 students will be working to create and present this world premier!
Students agree that creating something entirely of one’s own brings unique challenges and rewards. “The play is like your baby,” says sophomore Tallulah Nepstad, who wrote Double Nonsense Play. “It’s so close to your heart but fun and expressive at the same time.”
Junior Jimmy Toomey loves the various roles students get to play participating in All Night Diner through the years – “It’s always exciting to get a new part whether it’s a lead, directing, writing. It’s fun to write or get a fresh new play and delve deep into the characters. We get to create something exciting and fun.”
Tallulah and Jimmy (pictured above) are performing in a one-act together, which will be directed by senior Gable Rak. “I think it’s a really nice concept,” says Gable. “It’s completely student-produced, and really shows the prowess of NMSA and the theater department. I’m really enjoying working with peers and students.” Gable, who plans to attend the New York Conservatory for the Arts to study film, benefited from NMSA’s Senior Directing Class as a run-up to directing his own one-act. “[The class] really taught me what it means to have a vision for your piece and have its shape in mind.”
Senior and Junior directors have been given their scripts, the last of the rewrites are being done, and actors are beginning to develop their characters and memorize lines. There are 18 total original plays being produced, divided into two separate evenings of theater: the “Chicken Menu” and the “Fish Menu”. The Chicken Menu will be Thursday, 3/17 at 7pm and Saturday, 3/19 at 2pm. The Fish Menu will be on Friday, 3/18 at 7pm and Saturday, 3/19 at 4pm. All shows will take place in the Large Rehearsal Hall at NMSA. Tickets can be purchased at nmschoolforthearts.org/tickets.
CHICKEN MENU
Mixer Mixup
Playwright: Elena Backus y Herrera, Director: Jasper Keen
Wine and Dine
Playwright: Marisa Mier, Director: Coleman Piburn
End of the World
Playwright: Leathia Williams, Director: Tai Momaday-Gray
Is it You?
Playwright: Myriah Duda, Direcotr: Molly Malone
Home is Where the Heart Is
Playwright: Domenica Nieto, Director: Kit Willey
Closed Til Further Notice
Playwright: Sally Tennant, Director: Domenica Nieto
Aren’t We Alone
Playwright: Chloe Hanna, Director: Gable Rak
Ten Years Later
Playwright: Alana Williams, Director: Gabe Kessler
Who the F*** is Alex
Playwright: Amy Borton, Director: Ana Rael
FISH MENU
Two Cops to Drop
Playwright: Thandiwe Seagraves, Director: Zacciah Hanson
One Cheeseburger With Lettuce and Extra Onions
Playwright: Ashley Gonzales, Director: Reina Nelson
Lucky
Playwright: Ethan Shillaker, Director: Brianna Ritter
Brother’s Café
Playwright: Tyra Barela, Director: Cassidy
Stuck in Disbelief
Playwright: Bianca Masters, Director: Kelly Sandoval
Black Coffee
Playwright: Marika Sayers, Director: Alyssa Mutz
Nighthawks
Playwright: Acacia Burnham, Director: Tilcara Webb
Blue Plate
Playwright: Vincent Versace, Director: Lila Faust
Double Nonsense Play
Playwright: Tallulah Nepstad, Director: Daniel Vigil