Normalize Our Differences

Neurodiversity is the array of differences in the functions of the brain. These conditions can impact the way a person learns and interacts, but that does not render the person incapable of such tasks. Such individuals simply think and act differently than “the norm.”

“I feel like people don’t want to be friends with us because they think we’re not like them. That’s not true.” comes in at the same volume, so the clock will be at the same volume as the teacher speaking. It’s hard to hear stuff.” — Maddi Graham and becomes really overwhelming.” harder classes, my brain still works the same way.” — Laura Silenzio ‘23

by Zoey Blackman

Eastern Regional High School’s theater club just recently finished their fabulous and freezing run of Frozen: The Broadway Musical. After winning the United States of Frozen and being the only school in New Jersey to present the full Broadway production, Eastern did not hesitate to take full advantage of this opportunity. With shows running from 3/24-4/2, the cast and crew had a very successful run with great response. Audiences gathered in great numbers to see this stand-out Disney hit! The last performance took place on April 2nd at 2:00pm. Not a single seat in the auditorium was left empty. Frozen sold out!

It is rare for a show to gain so much popularity that each seat holds a different person, but the theater club took on this challenge and won. Eastern is known for its professional and well-respected theater department. Crowds form every year during the springtime, expecting a performance above high school level. The theater club takes this very seriously, always striving to meet and exceed expectations.

Frozen, itself, holds a lot of popularity as it is a huge Disney movie and phenomenon around the world. A large percentage of the tickets sold were parents bringing their children to see their

For more photos from Eastern’s production, check out phl17.com!

by Timur Markowitz and Tadhg Beale

Eastern Regional High School has two different stage productions each year. Students work long hours, preparing a grand play or musical performance. Actors go on stage at the end of each performance to take a bow, followed by earth-shattering applause.

Despite this, the students in Stage Crew, Sound and Lighting, Hair and Makeup, and in the Orchestra Pit work difficult hours for no bow, and thus little recognition.

Stage Crew works from 2 PM to 8 PM daily, building large sets and preparing one of the most important parts of the production. Many members join to gain experience and learn a particular craft.

Aaron Carty ‘23, Master Carpenter of Stage Crew, expressed that, “Right now, we don’t have much creative freedom on the building and designing aspect.”

Many are under the misconception that members of Stage Crew are in the club because they do not want the attention; they do not want to be on stage. However, there were major arguments concerning whether Stage Crew would receive a bow in previous years.

Suarez explained, “That was the biggest dispute of Legally Blonde last year. Sure, we do want to be backstage, but we would only be asking for three seconds. And it’s part of the morale.”

Orchestra Pit is another underappreciated part of the drama department. Pit members work extensive hours in and out of school, yet receive little credit for their efforts. Thomas Alexander ‘23, B flat trumpet, said that, “Rehearsals can be four, five, even six hours long, and when I’m not there, I’m practicing the music as much as possible.”

This sentiment was shared among other members of Pit. Gabriella Janka ‘24, bassist, expressed her displeasure with the current recognition given to Pit: a singular actor pointing down at them.

Janka said, “Having just one person point down at us is demeaning. And it’s for a brief short moment, and nobody can see what they’re doing. People don’t really know the pit’s there.”

Leah Donkochik ’24 and Mazie O’Keefe ‘24 are in charge of hair and makeup for drama productions. Mazie explained that, including what she does at home, she works about 7 hours a day. Long hours and strenuous work under difficult pressure make this one of the more difficult jobs within the drama club.

O’Keefe explained, “Most of us have actually done this for pay. We have a lot of skill, and we would want more creative freedom.”

Clarissa Weaver ‘23, the Co-President of Sound and Light, works 5-6 hours a day in order to make sure that everything is functioning seamlessly.

Weaver said, “ It’s difficult to find people who want to do tech, most people want to be actors. It’s difficult to find people who have an interest and then maintain that interest.”

None of this is to take away from the detract from the many pleasures that members of these clubs gain from their role in them. Every single person in every single interview spoke of the great community that they have been able to experience, as well as their enjoyment in their craft.

This is not just an issue in Eastern Regional High School; Avery Hanson, a Production Manager at Robbinsville High School, explained that, “Stage crew brings an entirely new layer of the story to life. They’re just as important as the people singing and dancing on stage. Stage crew will never get a bow despite the fact that they put their hearts and souls into a production.”