High Tech High School’s spring performance this year focused on works that depicted human nature, allowing the young actors to explore their own lives as they honed their characters.
Last week, 35 drama students at the school performed pieces of dramatic works spanning the last century.
“Our Town” by Thornton Wilder depicts America at the turn of the century, while “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov delves into the Russian Revolution. Students also acted scenes from Dale Wasserman’s “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias.”
“Acting is kind of a social psychological performance.” – Deborah Arters
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“Acting is kind of a social psychological performance,” said Drama instructor Deborah Arters. “It’s not so splashy and in your face. It’s more about the human condition and relationships.”
She added, “This year we wanted to link a little bit with the English department. I wanted to pick pieces that the kids would have maybe heard of, or would eventually read.”
Getting into character
Arters said the actors spent months researching the time period and learning how to give a simple, believable performance. They even researched at the Lincoln Center Library in New York City.
Luis Altamirano, a North Bergen native who plays George in “Our Town,” said that he had to research how an American boy from 1901 would behave. He said that he is shy, and that because George was more boisterous, he had to learn how to raise his voice.
“I grew a lot, because before I would watch movies and say, ‘Oh, I could do that, it’s like imitating,’ but when it comes down to it, it’s difficult focusing and trying to not look fake,” said Altamirano.
Altamirano hoped that the audience was able to take away the most important message from “Our Town.”
“It’s supposed to say that you have to enjoy life and appreciate it now, because later, [before] you die, you’re going to look back to those little moments that you could have treasured more,” said Altamirano.
Preparing for big scenes
North Bergen residents Lauren Blanco and Stephanie Hartnett, both seniors, played M’Lynn and Shelby in “Steel Magnolias.”
In the classic, Shelby, M’Lynn’s daughter, dies. Blanco said it was difficult to convey the emotions of a 44-year-old woman with three children. For the funeral scene, she thought of people who had hurt her in the past, so that her mind would not stray too far from the play. Her class even practiced grieving by going to a cemetery and bringing flowers.
“Since I was playing a mother, I was told to focus on people that I would feel motherly over, so I picked my little sister because I do mother her in a way and I teach her stuff,” said Blanco.
Her “daughter,” Hartnett, said that her character had diabetes, so she had to research what type she had and how she would deal with it on top of being pregnant, as she was in the play.
“Feeling the joy of being pregnant, and how scared I would be if I was really in that situation, [thinking] of my child’s life,” said Hartnett.
The two students also performed roles in “The Bear.”
Walking the walk
Union City resident Benjamin Fontanez, Jr., who played Smirnoff, a Russian landowner in “The Bear,” said that for the play he had to learn how to be a cruel person. He explained that Smirnoff had an aristocratic walk and was ruthless with his money.
Fontanez attends County Prep High School in Union City, but attends drama classes at High Tech High School.
He also has a small role in “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which he tweaked so that he had “paranoia with a slight sense of stalking.”
Most of all, he learned a lot from his fellow students and teacher. He said that Hartnett and Blanco were the “most lovely women ever.”
“We’ve been working on this all together,” said Fontanez. “We’re all in different grade levels, seniors and juniors, and it was just great to meet these people.”
Matinee performances were scheduled for Friday, March 19 and Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m., with evening performances slated for March 19 and 20 at 7 p.m., all at the school’s black box theatre. Tickets are $5 for matinee and $10 for evening shows. For more information call (201) 662-6800.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.