Alicia Trescavage, director of the Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) presentation titled "Pieces," would like to see audiences enjoy the show, appreciate the acting and comedic skills of the students, and relax. "I want them to leave thinking that was a lot of fun," she said. "The kids are giving the audience the gift of relaxing and enjoying."
"Pieces," which will consist of a selection of monologues, short scenes, and a one-act comedy called "12 Incompetent Jurors," will be presented at PVHS, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 and 7 p.m. Audience members are required to wear masks as per state and school guidelines.
"The whole show is called 'Pieces' because basically we are piecing things together," said Trescavage. "There's nothing that has a connection to anything else." The structure of the show and minimal scenery allow for social distancing.
In the fall of 2019, the PVHS players tackled the weighty "Radium Girls," based on the true stories of young women who took ill after working in factories where they painted watch dials with paint containing radium. "'Radium Girls' was such a serious topic, I promised (the students) I would do a comedy (in 2020)," said Trescavage, who chose "12 Incompetent Jurors" by Ian McWethy because she so enjoyed directing another work by the author at PVHS several years ago. She added the monologues and scenes to give members of the cast of about 20 "chances to shine individually." Trescavage shared that all the monologues except one were written by students ages 13 to 18. One student is doing a monologue from "Les Miserables."
Three short scenes will be performed, as well. "One of the scenes is called 'Romeo and Juliet - Sped Up,'" noted Trescavage. "It's a melodramatic retelling of the story." The students will also perform two scenes from a larger play called "One Stop-Light Town," which Trescavage explained will be published in the next few months. "We will be one of the first schools that does parts of it," she noted. One scene from that show is called "The Big Dance," and it involves two people in a love-hate relationship. The other scene is called "The Drag Race."
Auditions for the show were held the week of Sept. 7. Trescavage worked well ahead to face the many challenges of presenting a play while working within COVID-19 restrictions. "The whole approach to how you plan and stage (is a challenge)," she noted, adding, "The biggest challenge is myself and the kids being flexible enough to make it work." To meet safety requirements, Trescavage is careful to keep students six feet apart, but when it is necessary for them to be closer for a short time, they wear masks. "We are following the guidelines of our school, and the kids know it's important to follow the directions, so everyone stays healthy," she reported. "This is something important to them that (the students) look forward to that some schools may not have been able to accomplish."
Trescavage has been pleased with the students' responses. "The kids have to buy into it with you. I am really proud of them," she said. She is also grateful for the support of the Pequea Valley School District in allowing the show to be held.
Those wishing to attend the play may call 717-768-5535 for ticket availability.
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