![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Performing arts presents annual Student Directed Showcase
January 14, 2020
After a semester of preparation and hours upon hours of rehearsals, the Student Directed Showcase (SDS), featuring four plays, took the stage last Friday and Saturday night. in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center. From comedic stories of interrogation to tales of love and loss, this year’s plays were directed by Shyl Lamba (12), Joel Morel (12), Katelyn Chen (12) and Kathy Fang (12).
“Casting for the plays was really interesting. It was all about seeing what you needed for your play and matching those characters up with the play and with the other actors,” Shyl said.
Four cast members from “An Absolutely True Story” argue about the dogs presence in the room. This was the first and most comedic play of the night.
Shyl’s play “An Absolutely True Story (As Told by a Bunch of Lying Liars)” started off the evening. It follows a family after a precious vase is found cracked on the floor, leading to each witness’— including the dog’s— vision of the evening, according to their memory. “Marvin’s Room,” directed by Joel, performed directly after.
“I really feel that [Marvin’s Room] was a story that needed to be told and being able to share my vision rather than being a part of a production that someone else was cultivating was attractive to me,” said Joel.
Contrary to the comedy of “An Absolutely True Story,” Joel’s play highlights the emotional strife of a family, battling the risks of disease and old age with love. It follows the story of Bessie, a leukemia patient who reconnects with her estranged sister and nephews who are each dealing with problems of their own. The play was originally two hours long but was pared down to fit into the allotted time slot.
Daniel Wu (10) and Sarah Raymond (11), who play the mother-son duo in “Marvin’s Room,” sit on a bench together in a scene at Disneyland, conversing about the various sights and rollercoasters around them.
“I was nervous about getting along with my cast at first but as time passed I really looked forward to spending time with them. It really was the perfect cast with the perfect director. I’m so lucky to have learned how to better my acting skills from some of the best actors at Harker,” said sophomore Anya Warrier, who played Ruth, the aunt of Bessie.
After a short intermission, the cast of Katelyn Chen’s “Booby Trap” performed. The play revolves around Peter Galen, a man who joins the army to pay for college but unfortunately leans against a land mine, sentencing himself to death. Over the course of the play, Galen recounts pivotal moments in his life through flashbacks to his interactions with his family, friends, and professors.
Peter Galen, played by Alex Kumar (11) in “Booby Trap” leans against a piece of wood as he ponders his fate and reflects upon his past. Another soldier, acted by Shray Alag (11), examines the area surrounding him.
“When I was looking for a comedy I found this play. The first time I read it, I cried and then the second time I read it I cried again. I was looking for other comedies but I couldn’t stop thinking about this show because it had such an emotional impact on me. There are so many characters and personalities that come into play and they all come together to make this really great story,” Katelyn said.
The last show of the night was “Chinglish,” a romantic comedy that takes place in China. The play is about Daniel Cavanaugh, a businessman who strives to expand his company in China, even with a severe language barrier. During his stay in China, not only does he conduct business with numerous high Chinese officials, but he also questions “guan xi” or “relationships” and gambles with love.
Daniel Cavanaugh, played by Henry Wiese (12), and Xi Yan, played by Alissa Gao (11), gaze into each others eyes at the end of the scene. “Chinglish” was the last play of the night.
“[Chinglish] resonated with me in a way that was funny, poignant, and frankly, spot on for what I know about my experience as an Asian American in the Silicon Valley and what I know from my peer’s experiences as well,” said Kathy Fang, the director of “Chinglish.” “I learned as I went, which was difficult because…I was learning while I was teaching. Throughout the rehearsal process, I was focused on this end goal of getting the show together but then [during] our last rehearsal I had this moment when I took a step back from my role as a director and just watched the actors perform.”
The link to buy tickets opened two weeks before the show and the cast began to sell tickets in person the week of the performances in Manzanita. The show sold roughly 261 tickets on Friday and 255 on Saturday.
“The entire show was so amazing and such an emotional rollercoaster. One second I was tearing up laughing at the love hexagon in “An Absolutely True Story” and a few minutes later I’m crying because of Peter Galen’s fate. It made my emotions skyrocket but that’s what makes it so great,” Madeleine Hansen (10) said.
