Student-Led Productions @SHS
In addition to the yearly play and musical, both of which are professionally directed and produced, the Saratoga High School Drama program also offers students opportunities to write, direct, design, perform and produce a piece of drama, usually presented to a live audience.
24-25 Drama 4 Honors Student Productions
Written & directed by SHS Senior, Ryan Backhus, A Stop In Time follows a run-down subway station and the interactions of characters as they pass through the station in their everyday lives. These characters grapple with complex themes like aging, love, loss, and death as they wrestle with man's mortality and its relationship with time.
As the play unfolds, we follow a young couple, a child struggling with the loss of her mother, a cranky politician, and many others. These various New York characters seek to answer the question:
Does time control man or does man truly have control over his destiny?
Directed by SHS Senior, Kat Aldrete, Morning Sun is an intimate and compelling study of family dynamics.
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A woman, Charley, her mother, and her daughter narrate and discuss Charley's life from beginning to end. As they recount her life story, they grapple with their interpersonal struggles and reconcile with the things they wanted to say, but never did.
As Kat tells us
"This play says a lot about womanhood and generational struggles, as well as trying to break cycles of family trauma."
Directed by SHS Senior, Rylee Stanton, The 146 Point Flame tells the story of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where 146 workers died.
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It follows the stories of four young immigrant women working in harsh conditions and fighting for better rights, showing their hopes, struggles, and friendships.
As Rylee tells us
"This play is really unique because the women never interact with one another, even though they're on the stage the whole time. They all just recount their life stories as the fire consumes them."
Directed by SHS Senior, Chloe Mantle, Sylvia is a comedic play that explores the complex relationship between a middle-aged man, Greg, and a stray dog named Sylvia. Greg, who is experiencing a midlife crisis, becomes increasingly attached to Sylvia, much to the dismay of his wife, Kate.
The play humorously delves into themes of identity, relationships, and the boundaries between human and animal connections, ultimately raising questions about loyalty and love. Blending humour with emotional depth, it examines the ways in which people navigate life's challenges.
Written by SHS Junior, Ryan Backhus, Kids Come Home had just one public performance on January 19, 2024 in the TDC before submission to the International Thespian Society Northern California Play Festival on January 20 where it competed and won at the state level.
Photo credit: Neel Reddy
23-24 Drama 4 Honors Student Productions
Suite Surrender
Senior Drama Student Ryan Cagliostro directs this very funny play about two Hollywood Starlets who cannot stand to be in the same room together. When this hotel staff accidentally puts them in the same Hotel Suite, the management will do anything to keep them apart.
Cast includes: Ariana Tootoonchi, Arushi Maheshwar, Araceli Lublinerman, Margaret Laver, Apollo Burgess, Mia Ouchida, Nila Venkataratnam, Kat Aldrete and Misha Khairom. Stage Mgr: Chloe Mantle.
Now & Then
Senior Drama Students Arushi Maheshwar and Ariana Tootoonchi direct this time-travel centered play about the effect of the choices individuals in society make and how that is affected by their own insecurities and expectations of themselves and others.
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Cast includes Ryan Backhus, Ryan Cagliostro, Chloe Mantle, and Nila Venkataratnam. Student Design team includes Diya Kapoor, Neha Sharan, Natalie Poon, Adit Sharma, Lavanya Bose, Claire Zheng, and Ivy Tian.
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22-23 Drama 4 Honors Student Productions
Book by James McLure
by Eric Peter Schwartz
Directed by Dragon Neal
