For the past month, freshmen and sophomores at North Allegheny Intermediate High School have been rehearsing their fall play, Ramona Quimby. This comedic and heartfelt story, which follows a year in the life of third grader Ramona Quimby, features adorably witty characters who are sure to win over audiences.
But while the play will take place on the NAI stage, freshmen and sophomores are not the only students who will take their bows once the curtains close. Backstage are eight NASH students–juniors and seniors alike–who are working just as tirelessly to put on the production.
For the past four weeks, as soon as the NASH dismissal bell rings at 2:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, eight student directors venture to the NAI campus for another day of rehearsals.
Mr. Bryan Kiggins, the co-faculty director alongside Mrs. Madison Lewis, enjoys the unique connection between NASH and NAI.
“NASH involvement is extremely helpful,” said Kiggins, who is currently directing his 44th show at NAI. “It gives NASH students the opportunity to stay involved in plays throughout high school. We help them to take leadership roles and step into a different side of theater. Students get the opportunity to block scenes, develop characters, design sets and props, and be involved with budget. It gives the NAI students someone to look up to and connect with.”
The eight directors–Jackson Wasielewski, Olivia Parsons, Layla Khalid, Ankit Pamula, Theora Sprinkle, Laura Wells, Kyle Byrne, and Mallory Simon–have prominent roles in the development of the show. Each has been in the cast’s shoes, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes, and has valid insight on how to best move the cast in the right direction. NASH’s first hand knowledge allows precise advice on the perfect technique for memorizing lines or the best way to dramatize scenes.
Parsons, a senior who acted in NAI plays when she was a freshman and sophomore, takes pride in helping the NAI cast succeed.
“What I love about student directing is how I get to help the cast grow as actors and how I get to help shape the show into the best it can be,” she said. “Watching the progression of the show throughout the months of rehearsal is truly amazing.”
Parsons also gave insight on the skills she has learned so far from being in this position.
“I have increased my leadership abilities immensely,” she said. “I have learned how to communicate my thoughts more coherently and understand how people respond to ideas.”
For Khalid, a previous NAI actress who is now a junior director, the motivation to help younger students comes from wanting to give back to program that once gave her opportunities to flourish.
“I really love acting, and ever since I took part in the NAI plays, I have loved it even more,” she said. “Our previous student directors helped me really grow as an actress and I want to help others the same way they helped me.”
At the tech booth lies Byrnes and Simon.
“I love to make people shine in their individual moments, and being a tech director for the NAI play is a perfect opportunity for me to do that,” said Byrnes. “Being a tech director gives me a great opportunity to practice leadership skills and help others who are struggling.”
Similarly, Simon is also using this experience as an educational tool that will benefit her after graduation.
“I think the position has helped me to work better with others as a team because all parts of the show need to come together for it to be successful,” she said. “I also work on sound at NASH, so going there with what I knew from NAI made it an easier transition.”
To see the hard work that both NAI and NASH students have put into the show, see Ramona Quimby in the NAI auditorium on October 16th and 18th. Tickets are $8 and will be sold only at the door on the day of the show.
