Steven Brown has taken part in theater since elementary school but is navigating a world of boxing cats and Russian spies in his latest performance as the “Dark Web” as he tries to take down a student’s homework.
This year’s spring play is bringing a twist to Eudora High School by characterizing social media and the internet in a comical show, “The Internet is a Distract-Oh Look a Kitten!”
Students have rehearsed since January. Juniors Colin Howton and Brown said they’re both confident going into this weekend’s showings.
“I guess the big thing is, when you’re part of something like this, no matter how small your part is, you got to kind of just make the most out of it,” Brown said.
The performance follows high school student Micah, played by senior Shai Nettles, on her mission to finish her Great Gatsby paper before school. During Micah’s rush to finish her paper, she looks to the internet, friends and family for help, but gets distracted along the way.
“I think it’s very relatable considering the last two years or so we’ve completely lived online with online learning and lots of other things,” said play director and high school counselor Lisa Moffitt.
The play will feature characters like Snapchat, Netflix and Google, which either help or distract Micah from her paper.
Howton, who plays a Russian bot, said the play is unique because of its use of social media.
“No other performance really talks about social media or is as modern in as a high school setting as this thing,” Howton said. “And so, it’s a nice change of pace.”
Brown, who plays Hulu and the Dark Web, said being part of the play has a memorable impact on him.
“You got to make it memorable for yourself and that way it will be, may be memorable for others, you know,” Brown said. “Having people, you know talking about it, saying you did a good job makes you feel like you really worked for something.”
Moffitt said the play has about 30 students involved.
Freshman Salim Smith is part of the lighting crew. Smith has had almost perfect attendance to become familiar with the lighting equipment.
“I haven’t missed a single day. Besides one when it got really snowy out and I couldn’t get around,” Smith said.
This is Moffitt’s first year directing a play. Moffitt said she was excited for the opportunity and with encouragement from her colleagues she decided to apply for the position.
“I did, however, do theater in high school, and I did monologues and plays,” Moffitt said. “And I co-directed the play at high school in my senior year, so I was excited for the opportunity.”
The play will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, and 7 p.m. Monday Feb. 14, at the high school performing arts center. At the door, tickets are $5 for ages 5 and up.
Reach reporter Hannah Nystrom at the [email protected].
