“The comedy was pretty hilarious, but then the atmosphere changed drastically for the chilling drama. I really enjoyed myself because they were both definitely interesting.” Neshaminy’s annual Spring Drama Show went off without a hitch this year as exemplified by sophomore Madison Silverman. The two student-directed One Acts were shown in the Black Box Theater from May 1-3.

It is a Neshaminy tradition, and a drama student’s dream to be chosen to direct the play of their choice. “I think it’s a great learning experience for both the actors and especially the student directors because it puts them in a very different position from on stage to behind it curtain,” advisor Gina Chiolan said. “The opportunity for students to direct gives them the opportunity to use what they have learned on stage in the past and apply it.”

Starting off the show was a comedy titled “Drive In” under the direction of senior, Gina Toscano. Set in three separate vehicles, the production follows the trials and tribulations of young love, and risky behavior at the drive in movie theater. “I feel like I can really relate to it because everyone has been in that awkward first date situation where you don’t know what to do or say. And then you throw pizza out the window, so that’s that,” senior Paige Walsh said.

Notable performances were found in Freshman Forrest Filiano, playing Jim – the cool guy with a sensitive side, and in junior Emily Tolnay portraying the slightly neurotic Lucy. The cast in it’s entirety hit the angsty teenage nail on its irrational head through their onstage presence.

The lighthearted laughter ended quickly with the beginning of “No Exit” a dramatic play under the direction of senior, Zach Heinemann. The play, centered around three characters condemned to an eternity in Hell was artfully portrayed by seniors Kierceton Keller as Estelle and Logan Mizencin as Inès, as well as sophomore Sean Devonshire as Garcin.

Intensity filled the entirety of the Black Box Theater as the performance followed these characters through their weaknesses and failures in their mortal life. “The cast are all very talented. I feel like they looked at the piece analytically and really embodied the motivation behind their characters,” advisor Kimberly Aubrey said.

“No Exit,” as written by Jean-Paul Sartre follows an existentialist view of the Hell. Existentialism itself revolves around the idea of finding or creating a meaning for oneself. The play concentrated on the lack of mirrors in the vicinity. Characters Garcin, Inès, and Estelle explored spending an eternity not knowing how others perceive them, and therefore being their own torturers.

Both one acts, by nature lacked excessive props which really focuses the audience in on the actors and actresses themselves. The lighting on stage was rather dim, often leaving characters faces in the dark. The ominous shadows casted by characters played very well into the essence of “No Exit,” which worked well. As for the more upbeat “Drive In,” the insufficient lighting served no positive purpose and was visually displeasing.
All in all, both performances were an excellent demonstration of some of the young talent the Drama Department fosters. The final showing will be tonight at 7 p.m., five dollars buys the double feature for the night, and a guaranteed good time.