Almost, Maine succeeded with an unconventional approach to high school theater

By Staff Writer Jena Fakroddin

The North Performing Arts Center presented their latest production, Almost, Maine this weekend, March 6 through March 8. Communication Arts teacher Andy Simon directed the play, which featured a series of vignettes that explored love and love lost in a small town called Almost, Maine.

Each scene portrayed a different image and expressed a unique story.  These stories ran independent of one another. Student technicians designed and constructed each set piece in order to convey specific changes in locations, and this allowed the audience to experience the specific emotions the characters were portraying on stage.

The technicians were not afraid to take it to the extremes when creating visual images. The stage floor was painted white to help the audience visualize snow. Each scene was given its own unique setting, and the whole stage was utilized to create a versatile viewing environment.

On stage, the actors displayed either a romantic, comedic, or tragic story of couples from all backgrounds and stages in their relationships. They successfully captured the beauty and tragedy of love at each varying stage.

Actors personified intimate relationships in a way that was relatable, and at times, inspirational.  Each actor displayed energy, power, and confidence as they performed their scene, making the experience realistic and entertaining to watch. It was clear that each actor was connected to their character, and this connection painted a vivid picture for the audience.

Costuming also played a huge part in bringing the overall experience to life. Each character’s wardrobe worked with the personality of the individual. Clothing choices displayed strong messages of the character’s self-worth, their role and status in the life, as well as their relationship with others.

Almost, Maine was a different style of productions than from what Simon typically chooses for high school plays. There was no lead, no supporting roles, and no ensemble. The play did not stick to one plot outline. Each scene stood on its own and spoke for itself. Each character was equally valued in scenes that portrayed real life situations.

In theater, making the strongest choice in a performance is what it’s all about. I believe the actors, costume crew, and technicians all made the strongest choices in their respective departments, and this helped the audience connect with the performance.

Simon called the production, “truly magical,” as he introduced it.  Almost, Maine was nothing short of Simon’s description, and it successfully portrayed what magic can spark up in all relationships.