Between the often comedic and always entertaining performances, audiences of Lick-Wilmerding High School’s One Acts Festival only get to see a small snippet of the expansive behind-the-scenes process of creating the performances. From directing to designing to writing to acting, the One Acts Festival contains so much more than meets the eye.
The show’s behind-the-scenes process begins in the LWHS Theater Director’s, Miguel Zavala, Directing Class. Only offered every other school year in the fall semester, students who hope to take the highly coveted class must not only express their interest through their course requests, but must complete a separate additional application.
Through this process, Zavala aims to create a team of possible One Acts Festival directors who are passionate and great leaders. “Having that additional component [the application] is really important in expressing to the entire community that just by applying and taking the course, doesn’t guarantee you a spot as a director in the show. You’ve got to work hard in the class and show me you’re ready,” he said.
Those who demonstrate growth and confidence as directors in the course are chosen to work individually or in pairs. Seniors direct full one acts, and Juniors work on 3-5 minute interludes. As directors, students brainstorm and coordinate the piece’s creative elements, guiding actors and crew members to bring their vision of the script to life.
While the directing students are busy gaining experience and ideating for the festival, student writers simultaneously begin crafting their ideas.
“Canceled Island” writers, Shaya Gilden ’25 and Hannah Polsky ’25, began their writing process by simply trying to make each other laugh. They jokingly reminisced about their early brainstormingand drafting phases in which they locked themselves in the conference room until they came out with a finished script. “We wanted to write something that made us laugh and that would make others laugh,” Gilden said. After completing the first couple scenes, the pair chose to submit their One Act just days before the November 6 deadline.
Once selected, the duo got straight back to work continuing their script and refining it with the help of LWHS-hired writing coach and professional playwright, Christian Wilburn. With Wilburn’s guidance, and the collaboration with their director, Clark Wilmerding ’24, Gilden and Polsky successfully crafted a One Act they were proud of. “It’s super important to have confidence in your work and your voice. It’s really easy to second guess yourself, especially with constantly receiving people’s feedback,” Polsky said.
As soon as scripts are submitted and directors have chosen their acts, the search begins for the perfect faces to bring these stories to life. This year, auditions were held from November 14-17, and consisted primarily of different improvisation workshops and small group auditions aimed to enable students to showcase their expressive abilities and shed light on potential roles.
“I really love seeing students who don’t audition for the spring musical or fall play come out for the One Acts and become a part of a beautiful and inclusive family that is all student driven,” Zavala said.
To encourage the participation of student athletes and those less experienced in the performing arts, rehearsal times are often scheduled during tutorial or lunch blocks — rather than after school or during weekends.
Consequently, with the cast lists rolling out right before Thanksgiving Break, most pieces began preliminary rehearsals before Winter Break, with the bulk of rehearsal time taking place after, and until the festival’s tech week from January 29-February 1.
Because of its fully student-driven nature, the One Acts Festival offers students from all areas of the production the opportunity to collaborate in illuminating their creative visions and crafting an entertaining show. “The Barbeque (Interlude)” director Augie Nice ’25 especially loved being able to work closely with his co-director, Ollie Garfinkel ’25, and group of actors. “We only had four actors so even though I always came to rehearsal with lots of ideas, every cast member really had the ability to speak up and contribute their unique ideas. I have gained so much from them, and I definitely feel like this piece is a collaboration of all of our thoughts and opinions,” Nice said.
In addition to the collaboration between directors, writers and actors, students who participate in Stagecraft lead by LWHS technical director, Kate Boyd, as well as volunteers in wardrobe and further illuminate each piece’s creative vision.
LWHS wardrobe volunteer, Nari Simmons ’27, first joined the One Acts Festival after seeing an announcement for recruitment in the school’s weekly newsletter, the eTiger. Towards the beginning of the process, Simmons and her fellow students were given racks of clothing to riffle through and create character looks from. “There was certainly a lot of trial and error,” she said. As Simmons began thoroughly reading each piece’s script, she gained a deeper understanding of each character, and how to further bring them to life. “Costumes can completely transform a character,” she said, “so making sure that the actors and directors feel really excited and confident with their character’s costume is important.”
As the One Acts Festival’s opening night neared, an unfortunate upsurge of illnesses including COVID-19 spread throughout the cast, crew and greater LWHS community. The outbreak regrettably brought this year’s festival to a close prematurely, however it remained a smashing success regardless and continues to highlight LWHS’ creative and talented community.
For Zavala, the One Acts Festival will always be a highlight of his year. “Seeing the diversity of our student body being able to share their voices and express themselves on our stage in a celebratory and creative way is magical. Watching your peers and friends on stage, getting into a character and fully committing… I just love that. It brings me so much joy to see and feel how these students are having so much fun,” he shared.
