A world full of “insecurity guards,” crazy therapists, and a defense attorney that switched sides halfway through the case greeted the audience in the annual Student Directed Showcase (SDS).

Seniors Shenel Ekici, Ian Richardson, and Namrata Vakkalagadda each directed a short play performed on Jan. 10 and 11.

After a semester class and many hours of rehearsal the directors plays “The Wonderful World of Dissocia,” “Beyond Therapy,” and “The Case of Alex Hansen” were ready for audience viewing.

“I wanted to direct a play, because after participating as an actor in multiple plays and musicals, I thought it would be extremely interesting to learn about everything else that occurs,” Namrata said. “There is so much work that a director does that their actors don’t even know about.”

Her play, “The Case of Alex Hansen” written by Alan Haehnel tells the story of a girl in a coma fighting for her life, while the main story line is inside her head as she fights a war with the voices that fill her mind. Namrata chose this play because of the message she believes it conveys.

“I believe that the most important message of my play is that everyone is loved,” she said. “Everyone has a support system they can rely on, whether they know it or not. It is made up of their family, friends, classmates, teachers, mentors, and even the person they just met. Everyone in this world has a reason for living, they just need to learn to love themselves.”

Shenel chose the play “The Wonderful World of Dissocia” by Anthony Nielsen a modern take on the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland. The protagonist Lisa must travel to the world of Dissocia to find her missing hour after its absence from her life causes problems. While introducing her play, she explained that she chose this play because it portrays mental illnesses in a different light.

“I think [the play] was trying to explain mental illness to those who don’t have it and can’t understand it said Zoe Woehrmann (11), who played the protagonist, Lisa. “From Lisa’s point of view, the play compares how happy she is in Dissocia versus the unhappiness she has to face in the real world caused by the illness and everyone’s reactions, prompting her to be even more unhappy.”

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Alyssa Amick

"Beyond Therapy"

The final play, directed by Ian, was “Beyond Therapy” by Christopher Durang. This comedy, written in 1987, features two main characters searching for love, both while dealing with personal issues in humorous therapy sessions.
Madi Lang-Ree (11) played the role of Prudence, the female protagonist.

“Even though “Beyond Therapy” is definitely a comedy, the underlying message is a really sweet one about two slightly crazy people who find love in each other despite the odds against them,” Madi said.

For many underclassmen, SDS was the perfect way to begin their acting career at the Upper School.

“It’s really cool how chill the whole process is, especially when we get to go to the director’s house and play games and have fun. It’s more chill than most of the other shows,” said Namitha Vellian (10), who played the younger sister of the protagonist in “The Case of Alex Hansen.” “This show is sort of the one that prepares you for bigger productions like the musical and the fall play.”

The next opportunity for actors in a school performance is the Spring Musical, “The Wedding Singer.”