I acted in both Urinetown and Macbeth, and I worked with dramaturgy for Hadestown! I’ve designed all the posters since I’ve been a part of the program. I had multiple books of Greek myths I read when I was younger and one of my favorites was about Narcissus and Echo. I’m not sure why, but I was just so drawn to it; I’m think both characters are so interesting and tragic. I want to say more about them but I’m not sure how to express my thoughts. From the first read through I’ve been super excited. I was fascinated by mythology as kid and the concept of love (romantic or otherwise) is something I’m really curious about and this is a mix of both of those! Metamorphoses also has some of my favorite myths which was part of the appeal. I think this play is really beautiful and it was so interesting to explore the play and see pieces of my vision in the final product.

Here at Berkeley High, you may have seen me as a Fate in Hadestown, Fleance in Macbeth, or Little Sally in Urinetown. Aside from dramaturgy, this is my first time working behind the scenes in a BHS production! I think the story that means the most to me is definitely Eros and Psyche. For me, their story is such a beautiful display of love, and how we cannot let obstacles get in the way of it. The commentary of Q&A throughout this scene provides a really incredible contrast to what otherwise would be a very serious scene, and I think that this grey area between devastating and hopeful is perfectly captured in this vignette. Metamorphoses has been an incredible experience for many reasons, and it’s truly a sisyphean task to describe it in less than 100 words, but I will try. I’ve gotten to see this ensemble grow and change from the very first rehearsal, to the overnight retreat, to the very end of our rehearsal process. This talented, kind, and deeply hilarious group of people are absolutely perfect in telling this beautiful story, and it's been an honor getting to see them follow their instincts, and shape the show into what it is. Also, getting to try stagemanaging for the first time! I'd like to shout out my amazing friends and collaborators throughout this process, including but not limited to Josie, Ken, Flora, Kirby, Neva, Sitara, my incredible ASM Elliot, and everyone else who made Metamorphoses possible!!

I was in the drama class last year and auditioned for Macbeth and Metamorphosis. Alcyone and Ceyx really spoke to me since I first read it over for auditions. Ceyx calls her his “little bird” and that was a song from one of the best shows I’ve ever been in. In the show I was in it was a song written by a fellow cast member and hearing that phrase again brought back so many memories of that show. It’s my first time having an offstage role in a show, and it’s been really interesting seeing the like inner workings of productions like these. I’ve loved helping out behind the scenes, but in the spring I hope to be onstage again. This is also my second show I’ve been apart of that relates to Greek mythology, the first was in elementary school and it was one of the first shows I ever did in front of a decently big audience. Shoutout to Lilah my boss the head stage manager you’ve been amazing and so understanding when I can’t make it to rehearsal, and you’ve been part of BHS drama for so long and you welcoming me in has been amazing thank you so so much.

I started my BHS drama career as an ensemble member in Urinetown. I was then the student director and fight captain for our production of Macbeth, and then the head of dramaturgy for Hadestown. Baucis and Philemon is a really beautiful story to me. The story is so simple in a way the others aren't, and the ending is simultaneously sweet and sad. It has such a classic message: be kind and inviting to anyone you meet. The simple nostalgia that Baucis and Philemon invokes sets it apart from the other vignettes. Metamorphoses is a very human play. It uses simple, commonly-known stories to explore the humanity in love, loss, greed, and the repercussions of our actions. This is a play about humans and how they change, and that is deeply fascinating to me. This has been such a wonderful production to be a part of; I am truly grateful to everyone who has contributed to this process with me.

I first joined BHS Drama running Box Office & Front of House for Urinetown, a position I later returned to during Hadestown in collaboration with our adult volunteers. I had the absolute pleasure of dual stage managing & musicianship during Macbeth. Throughout this process, I’ve truly fallen in love with each of these little vignettes. Baucis & Philemon has always been such a beautiful myth to me, but our realization of this story of love, welcome, and devotion so powerful it merits eternity really brings together a play full of ideas that are so important in this time. Metamorphoses introduced me to Alycone & Ceyx (which from a musician perspective might be my favorite) and Phaeton & Apollo, which has so many interesting narrative points and fascinating parallels. I think that this play has that special quality of being a gorgeous composition on the surface, and a truly introspective piece of text once you look at it closer. It’s been so incredible to really see this composition come together into an absolutely amazing production by so many people. The two positions of musician and producer have led me to a really significant position with one foot in the acting space and one foot out. This unique place has allowed me to really get a sense for the momentus amount of work that goes into a production, from the first read-throughs and assemblies of email lists to the final runs with complicated scoring and heartfelt acting. It always adds on a truly extra layer of meaning at the end of a production, to know the emotion and hard work that everyone has poured into it. Metamorphoses means to me a new understanding of the human experience, and how we can find ourselves in someone else. I’d love to thank my parents, who have been endlessly supportive of my theater endeavors (with the condition that I do my homework.) Thanks for loving me so much. I absolutely couldn’t have done this without my co-producer Hannah, & my best friends Arvie & Kaelo.

I've been in Urinetown as Hope, and I was the rehearsal stage manager for Hadestown, both at BHS. In this play the story of Baucis and Philemon resonates with me the most, because it makes me think of the people in our world with more money than they need, but who refuse to give it to good causes. It's something that disgusts me when I see all the suffering that exists. Being a student producer for Metamorphoses has been super fun, I've loved getting to fill a different role in a production than what I'm used to. I'd like to thank my parents for being so amazing and supportive of me, and of course for funding my theater obsession.

I played a witch in last year's production of Macbeth. Phaeton and Apollo speaks to me the most, as I love Phaeton's character and how dramatic he can be, plus the relationship dynamic between him and the therapist reminds me of one of my friendships, which is very fun. I have really enjoyed getting to work more on production, as it is my first time, and I love learning all the aspects of what goes into making a show happen outside of acting on stage! Thank you to Maddy Owens for being there to answer all of my questions and for passing down your knowledge to me! Also thank you for all your hard work in general.

I took Drama 1 and Drama 2, I played a dancing officer in Urinetown, and last year I was Head of Publicity for Macbeth and Hadestown. To me, Alcyone and Ceyx's vignette is most powerful. I think that it shows how love can be so powerful that it endurs though even tragety and greif. I am touched by the idea that their bond was so strong the gods allowed them to be together forever, even if it meant changing form. It reminds me of the power and importance that love holds, and the transformations it can make in your life. Working on this project has been meaningful to me because being Head of Box Office has been a fun way to stay involved in the theater program, even if I don't have time to be in the shows. Watching the production come together has been super cool and I am exited to see the final product put on stage! I want to thank all of the actors, production, and Ms. Louchard for working so hard to make this wonderful show come to life!

During 9th grade I participated in Stagecraft and helped backstage with costumes during Urinetown. Last year I was a co-stage manager during Macbeth, with both Sadie and Inyo. For Hadestown I had a similar role to this one, working on making costumes. It's hard to pick just one, but I might say the Orpheus and Eurydice. I think the way it's staged, the repetition and the looping send an important message about the power of love in the face of the inevitable. How hope is so important when everything seems lost. I've loved being able to work in such a collaborative process. To be able to have so many hands on different aspects of this show. It's the brain child of so many people and it's been the best fun. I have 3 shout outs to give! First of all to Gitty for organizing and supplying all the costumers through every production. Second to Josie for working so hard on the design of this show, making their vision so clear and making sure it happened. And third to Arvie, for helping me print the merch shirts, his help was so so appreciated.

I have been in two previous BHS musicals as an actor but this is my first year as a more behind the scenes person. I feel inspired. Honestly, I don’t think I can choose just one or give a meaningful answer to this question. Each vignette stands on its own, and picking a favorite doesn’t quite feel right to me when I’m not as connected to the vignettes. I feel connected to this project because it’s taking place in somewhere I grew up. The space we are using for the production has many memories for me and I’m glad to add another unique experience to my time in the UU church. It makes me see the church in a whole new light and I can’t wait for others to experience an amazing play in such a beautiful place. This will also be my first kind of background role. Previously I was in the actor side of productions like Urinetown and Hadestown. But now I’m able to see all the moving parts of a play in a different lease. It has really made me appreciate every creator and all the hard work that gets put into the making of a project like this. I’m happy to be a part of the theater for my senior year and I hope to do lots more to stay connected to the theater in the future. Shoutout to Ms Louchard for keeping the play and the theater department afloat while going through many challenges this year.

In my freshman year, I took Drama 1 and was in the workers ensemble in BHS's Hadestown. This is my first time working production for a show! The story that speaks to me most in this show is probably Orpheus and Eurydice. It's been a favorite of mine since I was a young, greek mythos-obsessed child, the love for which was only strengthened by being in a production of Hadestown last year. It's a story of unwavering determination and how even when faced with failure, that is a virtue, not a flaw. It's a beautiful story, and the fact that it has been adapted again and again is certainly a testament to that. It's about hope and love and how maybe there are not-so-happy endings, but we love anyways. It's been great to work on the other side of a production and learn all the inner workings. It can only be pulled off with a good helping of teamwork, which has been a fabulous experience. I want to shoutout Kaelo for for being an absolute gem of a teammate and helping me with everything. So much love and appreciation to all the people who worked so hard on this project!