Lillian Boyd, Dana Point Times
Evan Gordon, a junior at Dana Hills High School, says that in co-writing and co-directing an original play, he’s learned that it’s really hard to get high schoolers to be quiet.
Gordon partnered with Ty Sterling, a Saddleback College student, to write and direct the play Souvenirs—a satire on storytelling cliches. Audiences can enjoy the play 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 1-2 at Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano.
“My parents have been nothing but supportive,” Gordon said. “In general, everyone has been nothing but supportive. It’s crazy to think people are acting out characters, that we’ve created, in front of an audience.”
Sterling and Gordon held auditions in Gordon’s home after announcing casting on social media. Students that Gordon had never met showed up to audition. Now the majority of the cast and crew is comprised of current and former members of DHHS’s South Orange County Schools of Arts program.
The toughest part about production has been building the set pieces. Gordon says they’ve either borrowed props or built set pieces from scratch, including a five-foot-tall treasure chest. The cast and crew have been rehearsing twice a week since summertime, which includes character building activities.
“All of this has given me a lot of experience,” Gordon said. “Some of us have severe social anxiety and we’ve had to learn how to manage it while developing leadership skills. This whole experience has been aggravating, fun and hilarious. My hope is that the audience walks away afterward catching at least a glimpse of that.”
Gordon says Souvenirs is meant for a fun teenage audience, ages 13 and older due to inappropriate language. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance on eventbrite.com.
Lillian Boyd
Lillian Boyd is the senior editor for Picket Fence Media and city editor for Dana Point Times. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Humboldt State University. Her work experience includes interviewing incarcerated individuals in the Los Angeles County jails, an internship at the Pentagon covering U.S. Army news as well as reporting and anchoring for a local news radio station in Virginia. Follow her on Twitter @Lillianmboyd and follow Dana Point Times at @danapointtimes.
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