GDS’ Theater Lab put on its fifth show from Dec. 12 to Dec. 14. Dance and acting teacher Maria Watson chose and directed The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse.
The play is set in a high school in Portland, Oregon and follows four white characters as they plan to create a play about the origins of Thanksgiving that also celebrates Native American Heritage Month. “I think the play is really relevant because it’s a satire about how white people are trying to be as woke as possible,” Watson explained.
“I thought it was good commentary on talking yourself in circles, just trying so hard to be progressive that you end up back where you started,” senior audience member Ellie Schaffer said.
The play has four roles: Jaxton, played by senior Henry Cohen; Logan, played by senior Ava Ginsberg; Caden, played by senior Alessandro Alfandari; and Alicia, played by junior Natasha Rubinson. Lighting design was done by senior Caleb Robinson.
Rubinson explained that Theater Lab aims to present diverse shows. “[Theater Lab] is basically [Maria Watson’s] own creation. She chooses plays that are usually female-written and [have] a more diverse cast,” she said.
Watson said that she enjoys the smaller production because of how supportive and positive it is.
Rubinson agreed that Theater Lab is a good environment, especially for those who do not have significant theater experience. “It’s really fun because it’s kind of easier to join when you’re not [that] into theater,” she said. “I did Theater Lab last year for Our Dear Dead Drug Lord and at that point I had only done One Acts before.”
“I’m thrilled that people who have no experience are interested in doing the show,” Watson added.
The play’s rehearsal schedule coincided with the mainstage show, The Crucible, creating some challenges for the actors. “Out of the four actors, three of us were in the mainstage show and one of us was doing costumes, so we all had other commitments,” Alfandari said. “Having those two plays going on at the same time and having to switch between completely opposite characters is a challenge.”
Theater Lab’s rehearsal schedule had minimal overlap with The Crucible’s schedule, allowing actors to be in both productions. “This year, [high school theater director] János [Szász] and I are really working together, so in the beginning of our rehearsal period, I just had rehearsals in the morning,” Watson said. “We really try to work it out in terms of kids doing both; that’s what we really want is to be able to do both.”
Theater Lab productions occur in the dance studio, which is a much smaller space than the black box where the fall and spring shows happen. “It was intimate; you feel like you’re a part of it. You can see them up close and you can really see how everything is done,” Schaffer said.
Watson explained that she thinks the smaller space works well for the performance. “It’s a cool space; it seats 80 with the risers,” she said. “I pick plays that work in a small space.”
“I’ve gone, I think, every year that they’ve had it because it’s always super fun, and the actors are always impressive and it’s always funny,” Schaffer said. “It’s more just like their show, the four of them and Maria.”