The theater program is often rumoured to have high standards, but just how much work do students put in? 

In the many offerings for H-Term courses, one is structured differently than the rest. Participants have one “official” meeting per week, but their commitment is larger than it seems.

The process is slightly complicated. Each student produces one play, which is to say they think of the idea and have a slight hand in other aspects. In addition to producing, they can direct, write or star in their own play. However, they cannot do all three.

One theater student, Geordie Ravara ’22, has been involved in the Ellis Theatre Guild’s latest venture, the Short Play Festival. Going so far as to write three separate plays, Geordie Ravara has most definitely put in a lot of work. Motivated in creating art and human interaction, she tirelessly spends days directing and double checking. 

The festival is made up of 9 plays produced, directed, written and performed completely by students. As of now, the plan is to perform the plays both on Zoom and in person. This adds another layer, because in addition to thinking of and writing completely original plays, students are also stretching themselves to create something that can be performed as well on Zoom as on a stage. Students should expect to see more information from CFTA director, Chris McGriff, in Today On The Hill about how to view these plays, which will be performed via zoom. 

Though each student must produce one play, they are not permitted to do their whole play themselves; instead they share the duties of writing, directing and acting with their classmates.

From first glance, it seems all students have to do is their own play and help with one or two others. But doing the bare minimum doesn’t begin to exhaust the high expectations of the program.