Thespian Society seniors who resurrected live theater at Point Loma High School are graduating soon, but not before leaving their mark in re-initiating a lasting legacy.
For more than three years during the pandemic, the performing arts center at PLHS that bears founder Larry Zeiger’s name stood dark. Three-quarters of the school’s current student body had never seen a live play, leaving decades of tradition at risk of being lost forever.
Enter student Emma Nickel, a theater fan since age 3, who decided it was time for live theater to return. It was a feat she accomplished by coaxing, wheedling, and otherwise “drafting” her friends and classmates into becoming aspiring thespians.
The Peninsula Beacon did an exit interview with some of the graduating PLHS theater students to find out what they learned.
“I’ve learned that, if you don’t do anything – it won’t get done,” said Nickel. “And that it’s OK to ask for help.”
“I was jittery so I used that energy to fake a manic attack (for a character), and ended up being the ‘quiet’ one,” said Kairen Strum about adapting to different character roles.
“I did the tech, the lights and the sound, stage manager stuff, putting everything together with the mood lighting. I helped balance the soundboard,” said Jayson Hernandez. “Keeping things under control was the hardest part. Things can escalate quickly if not enough people are informed and (not) know what’s going on.”
“I wasn’t planning to become one (actor), but I saw my friends trying out for the first show … and I just got dragged in,” said Criz Picar. “It was scary for me at first. But it wasn’t that bad. It taught me many things about life, and I found out many things about myself.”
“All I can say is, ‘You’ve just really got to get into the character,’” said Illia Prozdora. “Everyone needs to experience how it feels to be on stage and you’re just pretending to be this other person, which you are not.”
“It was entirely different than what I expected,” said Amirah Jones, who handled some of the programs and most play posters. “I’ve learned a lot about talking to people and getting things done.”
Strum pointed out theater will continue at PLHS long after the current thespian crew is gone. “There is an amazing group of freshmen coming (following) this and I’ve encouraged all of them, especially those who are techy, to join the club,” she said adding, “Now the freshmen outnumber the seniors, which is something we had not predicted.”
Shows performed by PLHS Thespian Society:
– “Inherit the Wind” (fall 2022).
– “And Then There Were None” (spring 2023).
– “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (fall 2023).
– “Coffee House 2023” (fall 2023): Coffee House is a beloved annual PLHS tradition dating back to the 1980s, all student-organized, which was brought back this year for the first time since the pandemic.
– “Festival of One Acts” (winter 2024).
– Four one-act plays directed by the students.
– “Help!”
