PerformingArts
School Life Dramatized in “Lockers”
Paul Vallerga created another of his convincing, elaborate sets for the play, convincingly recreating the familiar environment of an American middle school. Danny Dunn, technical director, once again designed and operated the lighting to give each scene the right dramatic effect. The production staff received generous help from students Jeremy Binkley, Jeffery Hsu, Mohannad Khadr, all grade 8, and Shilpa Repakula, grade 7.
Photos by Ashley Batz
The middle school production of Jeremy Kruse’s play “Lockers” gave audiences unique insight into the lives of middle school and early high school students. Directed by Monica Colletti, middle school performing arts teacher, the somewhat unconventionally structured play mostly told several smaller stories instead of including an overarching plot line. Each vignette was a self-contained tale about various facets of the often difficult nature of student life, including peer pressure, academic anxiety, dating, cheating, name-calling and just feeling different. The various themes were tied together by monologues delivered at the beginning, middle and end of the play by the character Nick, a troubled student played by Ramzi Jahshan, grade 8.
gave students the chance to show off their wide range of acting talents by portraying various types of characters.
The structure of the play served the production well, allowing actors to play multiple roles without having to resort to complicated costuming. It also H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY
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