The cast of the fall play performed Shakespeare’s play “The Comedy of Errors” from Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 and fundraised for the recent natural disasters.

“The Comedy of Errors” uses misunderstanding and wordplay to tell the story of two sets of twins separated at birth. The play describes Antipholus of Syracuse being mistaken for his brother Dromio of Syracuse when he attempts to find him.

“It’s hilarious,” Hannah Lak (11), who plays Dromio of Syracuse, said. “I think even if it’s hard for you to comprehend Shakespearean language, the actors and actresses do a really good job of using their physicality to get all of the messages across. There are pies; there’s a fat woman. It’s fun.”

The cast sold boba tea and Dippin’ Dots throughout the weeks preceding the fall play to fundraise for the recent natural disasters. They raised $1700.33 in total, and all proceeds have been donated to Habitat for Humanity in support of the relief efforts for the recent hurricanes and wildfires.

“I want to model for the students how we need to reach out and support people in need all over the world. We, in the Silicon Valley, have the potential to be very influential and helpful to people who are in desperate need,” fall play director and performing arts teacher Jeffrey Draper said.

This year’s fall play incorporated many unique elements that added flair and excitement to the performance.

“One thing, obviously, is that this play gives a lot more room to just be over the top, to be sarcastic and not things that we’ve seen already,” audience member and conservatory member Praveen Batra (12) said. “It’s very special.”

Additionally, live music was featured throughout the play. No pre-recorded sound effects were used, and the cast held a sing-along with the audience during the play’s intermission.

“This unique show is benefiting from a sing-along at intermission and from incidental music played throughout. Last year, there were 70, 100 sound effects and recorded sound cues. There are none in this show and they’re all done live,” Draper said.

The next performing arts event will be the Student Directed Showcase in Jan. 2018.  

This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on November 16, 2017.