J.P. Taravella students take center stage in annual Festival of Plays
Coral Springs, Florida – The J.P. Taravella High School Drama Department is preparing for an evening of theater that will put student talent, creativity and leadership in the spotlight.
The school’s annual Festival of Plays will return in October with four one-act productions. Three of the shows will be directed entirely by students, giving young performers and theater students an opportunity to take on responsibilities that normally fall to experienced directors.
The student directors will have hands-on experience working with casts, organizing productions and turning scripts into performances. For the drama department, the festival is about more than putting on a show. It is also a chance for students to learn how much work goes into creating theater.
“Our Festival of Plays gives students the opportunity to step into leadership roles and experience theater from a completely different perspective,” Drama Director Lori Sessions said. “By directing their own productions, they develop valuable skills in communication, collaboration and problem-solving while also creating more opportunities for students to perform and share their talents with the community.”
This year’s program will feature three student-directed productions before concluding with a fourth play directed by Sessions.
The first selection is “Fourteen” by Alice Gerstenberg, directed by Sophia Greene. The festival will also include “Why We Like Love Stories” by Stephen Gregg, which will be co-directed by Emma Khodadadi and Saniya Duran.
The third student-led production is “Dracula: The Death of Nosferatu,” directed by Arianna Gilson.
Together, the three plays will give audiences several different styles of theater to enjoy. The selections include comedy, romance, suspense and classic horror, creating a varied program rather than focusing on one type of story.
The evening will finish with “Decision Height” by Meredith Dayna Levy, which Taravella is presenting as its entry in the District 7 Thespian Festival. Sessions will direct the production.
Unlike the other plays, “Decision Height” is based on a real chapter of American history. The play tells the story of the Women Air Force Service Pilots, known as WASP, who served during World War II.
The production focuses on the female aviators who supported the war effort and highlights their courage and contributions during a period when women were taking on important roles in the military effort.
“I love bringing history to life through theater,” Sessions said. “‘Decision Height’ allows students and audiences to learn about the remarkable women of the WASP program and the important role they played in history.”
The festival will give students the opportunity to perform in front of family members, friends and other members of the community. At the same time, those involved behind the scenes will gain experience in directing, communication and teamwork.
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The performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, and Friday, Oct. 2, in the J.P. Taravella High School auditorium at 10600 Riverside Drive in Coral Springs.
There will also be something for guests to enjoy after each performance. A complimentary dessert reception will be provided by Taravella’s ProStart Culinary Program, giving audience members a chance to gather after the shows.
Tickets are available through GoFan. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults.
For the students involved, the festival represents an opportunity to do more than simply appear on stage. Those directing the one-act plays will be responsible for helping guide their productions from the script to the final performance, while actors and other students will contribute their own talents.
With four productions covering a wide range of subjects and styles, the Festival of Plays is set to showcase the work of Taravella’s drama students while giving them valuable experience both onstage and in leadership roles.
