Drama Boosters

York Drama presents its 2021 Spring Musical: “The Theory of Relativity"
York Drama Director Rebecca Marianetti had her eye on The Theory of Relativity for years and knew that this was a production she wanted to bring to the York students; she just never imagined it wouldn’t be on the stage. “When it became apparent that anything we would do inside and, on the stage, would be limited, we had to really stretch our creative minds, and embracing the genre of film has done just that.”
Mrs. Marianetti describes the process, “We have filmed outside, in a gorgeous location, and have reveled in the absurdity of sitting at a kitchen table in a forest of trees, or, when our set was rained on, rolling in the mud and using it to the piece’s advantage. Stretching ourselves as artists and storytellers through embracing the obstacles became our goal and ultimately, our joy.”
“We have been incredibly lucky to work with Matt Bourke, York Alumnus, and film director Michael Berry (Frontera, Stuck, Chicago Med) as they have been able to advise us along the way, as well as teach our gifted student directors how to conceptualize, record, and edit everything from group numbers to individual songs and monologues, while keeping the fluidity of film, and most importantly, honoring the story telling at the heart of it all”, adds Marianetti.
“You will soon see that The Theory of Relativity is not a production that was a compromise due to the COVID pandemic; it is a production that was made possible by the pandemic. The cast, crew and directors turned it into an opportunity to stretch their creativity and deepen their determination beyond what anyone could have previously imagined was possible. Fittingly, the musical reflects on how we are all connected, and how we are nothing without each other” reflects Maureen Harmon, parent of a senior in the cast.
“Being a part of the musicals at York is always my absolute favorite part of the year”, reflects Senior Nev Lawless, one of the production’s dance captains. “This year we were able to look through a new lens of performing by filming our show and creating our piece into a movie musical. We have had to switch our gears from a musical brain to a movie brain and have worked through every new struggle that came our way. Filming and directing is a whole new art we took on the challenge and it has been such a special experience that I will always treasure.”
Senior Cast member Olivia Rosenberg is one of the student directors behind the camera too. Oliva shares, “Being on the creative team for the musical has been one of the most impactful learning experiences I’ve had in high school. To be able to see a show come alive from beginning to end has been absolutely remarkable and I am so proud of what we have accomplished!”
“As the rehearsals and filming days went on, I felt an overwhelming sense of support and belonging, something that I’ve really been missing the past few months with transitioning to a new school during the pandemic” explains York Freshman Marguerite DiMarco. “My first York show was certainly unconventional, but the laughs I had, the friendships I developed, and most importantly the incredible art I got to be a part of creating made it well worth it.”
Mr. Bourke adds “It has been an incredible honor to collaborate with such an unbelievably dedicated and talented group of students. Every actor, dancer, technician and student leader brought with them an energy to create art at a level unparalleled since the pandemic began. After viewing The Theory of Relativity, I hope the audience feels moved to seek out connection, share in community, and create something meaningful.”
“In a musical so tied to strengthening relationships and deepening connections, these young artists have made it clear that we all drive each other to be better”, states Mrs. Marianetti. “The Theory of Relativity has been a gift to produce, but the true beauty has been realized in watching the cast and crew lift each other up with love and support, nurturing each other’s talents and strengths to create a truly glorious work. In a time where we are all struggling to find the light, the arts have given us hope and strength. I have no doubt that when the audience sees this production, they will not only laugh with, cry with, and deeply relate to these characters; they will feel the love radiating through their screens. Soon, we will be back on stage; but this time has not been lost, it has been reimagined.”
The Theory of Relativity airs May 21, 22, 23 and May 28, 29, and 30th.
Tickets on sale starting Wednesday, May 12 at www.showtix4u.com/events/YorkDrama
are $15 per viewing link, per device. Donations are welcome and much appreciated, as York Drama continues to create art during this unprecedented year.
This performance will stream each evening at 7:30pm CST. Each performance will require one ticket (access code) per device per night.
Thank you for your continued support of York Drama!

York Drama presents its 2020-2021 season: “Lift With Love"

 “Human connection is desperately needed right now,” says York Drama Director, Rebecca Marianetti.  “We are all trying to find a way to keep relationships alive; the connections between people can never be underestimated, especially as we seek to strengthen ourselves and our community.”  Drama Director John Forsythe agrees, “Lift with Love is not only our season theme for York Drama this year, but one that we are striving to bring into Elmhurst as a whole.  We need to actively support and lift each other as we navigate 2020 and beyond; this is incredibly important right now.”

 The Season has started with an outreach to the community of Elmhurst, with drama students distributing 1,000 cards with “Lift With Love” throughout the community and a special message from the drama board on the back of each postcard.  A senior at York stated on her postcard “Last year, our theme of empathy brought us to new heights as a cast, club, school, and community.  This year, a year filled with new challenges, poses new opportunities.  York Drama will bring stories of perseverance and strength to unite our community in a period of hardship.”

“Though theatre may not look the same for a while, we will still find a way to create” states Mrs. Marianetti.  “This fall, we are thrilled to share Almost, Maine as our fall play, directed by John Forsythe with creative, incredible student directors for each scene.  This beautiful show was be filmed, with permission, and was live streamed on October 22, 23, 24 and 25"

Alost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States.  And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized.  So it almost doesn’t exist.  They do reach out for connections though, just like we are doing right now.  In this time of the pandemic, there is nothing we need more than human connection.

York High School’s production of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine is set in the present moment, performed completely in mask and with enforced social distancing. 

As we are all too aware, this makes human connection that much more difficult.  On this cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, grapple with that obstacle and find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways.  Knees are bruised.  Hearts are broken.  But the bruises heal, and hearts mend as those connections are forged — almost.

“Let the season begin,” smiles Forsythe.

MISSION

The York Drama Boosters are parents, friends and community members who support the York Drama Program by raising funds for departmental needs not covered by their budget or ticket sales such as production equipment, costumes, student scholarships and more.