Bishop England to host 'Revolutionary' Drama Festival on April 28
Revolution is swiftly approaching at Bishop England High School. On Friday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m., the Advanced Drama class will present their end of year festival, “Breaking the Mold: An Evening of Revolutionary Tales.” This festival will include four student-directed, ten-minute plays. Each play presents the compelling story of characters, which are breaking the bonds of stereotypes, prejudice and social norms. Since January of this year, the advanced drama students have been working tirelessly both onstage and behind the scenes to make this performance a night to remember.
Advanced Drama is an honors level course, taught by Ashlan Stephenson. This course allows students to gain first-hand experience working on all aspects of theater. The students in the class have the opportunity to direct their own plays and to act in others. They also work on sets, props, costumes, make-up, lighting and publicity. This year there are four students in the class. Corey Clancy, a senior, is directing “Call of the Revolution,” a play by Leonid Andreyev and adapted for the stage by Walter Wykes. The play explores gender roles in war-time. In the fall, Clancy will attend the University of Central Florida to study marketing and theater. Elizabeth Ludlam, a senior, will direct “The Beggar and the King,” a play by Winthrop Parkhurst. The play is a parody that criticizes the ignorance with which the upper class often treats the lower class. Ludlam will attend the Catholic University of America to pursue a Bachelor of Music in musical theater. Matthew Goeldi, a junior, will direct “The Housekeeper” by Robert Frost. The Housekeeper scrutinizes social expectations of love and marriage. Next year, Goeldi will use all he has learned from the Advanced Drama course in Bishop England’s fall play and spring musical. At the conclusion of the festival, Nolan Stone, a senior, will direct “Three Turkeys Waiting for Corncobs” by Don Nigro. The play is a comedy about following your dreams despite social expectations. In the fall, Stone will be attending Trident Technical College to study nursing.
The Advanced Drama class of Bishop England High School is excited to present “Breaking the Mold: An Evening of Revolutionary Tales” on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bishop Thompson Performing Arts Center on the Bishop England campus. Admission is free, and donations are accepted to benefit the drama program. The nearest parking is on the stadium side of the school, near the Gym/ Performing Arts Center entrance. For more information contact Ashlan Stephenson, drama teacher, at astephenson@behs.com.