By Valeria Araujo – Editor-in-Chief

The Jonathan Law Drama Club knocked out its performance of Neil Simon’s play “Plaza Suite” on November 11-12 in the auditorium.

“Plaza Suite” gives the audience a glimpse into the lives of three different couples staying in Room 719 of the Plaza Hotel on three separate occasions.

Each couple has their own hilarious problem to work through. The Drama Club members and the audience members were thrilled with the set design and performance of the cast.

The cast included seniors JP Amaro, Tyler Chavez, and Chloe Bee Erickson, juniors Berat Celik, Rosalie Filippone, Colleen Hugo, and Allyson Voytek, sophomore Anna Malin, and freshmen Justin Amaro, Kevin Bretthauer, and Luke McDonald.

“My experience working on ‘Plaza Suite’ was wonderful,” senior Drama Club member Tyler Chavez said. “We had a small cast so it was very easy for us to all bond and come together and everyone was so friendly and great to work with that it made the show so much better.”

This play was a very challenging but rewarding one for the Drama Club and has expand their wide range of theatrical ability.

“Neil Simon is one of the greatest playwrights of our time,” Drama Club Director Christina Kalafut said. “I wanted to teach the students his style of comedy and how to perform it.”

The Drama Club is always looking for new members and stressed that students don’t have to be an actor one of the plays if they are in the club. They want anyone who would like to join feel comfortable and welcomed.

“We push anyone who is unsure about joining to come to a few meetings and see for themselves how the Drama Club is full of amazing people that will change your life as they changed mine,” senior co-president Sarah O’Brien said.

Going forward, the club will be having meetings on the first Tuesday of each month in the auditorium.

“Right now, we are planning our holiday party and our Barnes and Noble fundraiser,” O’Brien said.  

Senior co-president Ann Reed said that the Drama Club is a judgement-free zone where students can make long-lasting friendships.

“I’ve been in Drama Club since freshman year and it’s just really fun,” junior Rosalie Filippone said. “I’ve made a ton of new friends and found new interests, and being part of the shows, whether you’re a small role, a big role, or even part of the crew, means that you’re a part of the club and that you won’t be valued any more or less than anyone else. People who have never been interested in theater before have joined and loved it and It’s really worth being a part of in any way possible.”

Kalafut not only works hard with the students to make them stronger performers but makes sure that they are having fun.

“I enjoy seeing my students come to rehearsals each day, having a great time with their friends, doing what they love and creating memories along the way,” Kalafut said. “The smiles, the laughter, and the memories remind myself why I do what I love to do: for them.”

The club is holding auditions for its spring show, “Bye Bye Birdie,” in mid-January. The performance is scheduled for March 31-April 1.

“Even if you don’t feel comfortable performing on the stage, there are plenty of other ways you can still be involved with the club off the stage,” Kalafut said. “You can help run sound, move set pieces backstage, help organize costumes…there are so many aspects to theatre.”