Plum high school students perform monologues in virtual fall play replacement

It’s easy to understand right away why students at Plum Senior High School put out a video compilation of various monologues from favorite moments in movies and plays.

It was the pandemic’s fault.

Like several activities throughout schools across the world, the high school’s fall play was canceled this year. Its spring musical is still happening – but likely under a different format, officials have said.

Instead of nothing, the high school’s resident theater director – Nick Mitchell – decided to focus on a different project, one that he had kicked around as an idea for years but wasn’t able to execute until the pandemic hit.

The project – a compilation of monologues from movies, TV shows and plays performed by students – could be done remotely and it didn’t require gathering people in one spot to watch the final product.

“The good thing about it is that students thought there was going to be nothing – no outlet at all. But we were able to present this as an option,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s idea also tackled another feat: teaching the students something new. The ability to self tape an audition is becoming more and more needed – especially in an environment where almost everything is done remotely. He said each student received anywhere from four to 10 hours of one-on-one coaching and training.

“I was surprised by the level of growth I saw from the students,” Mitchell said. “I was impressed and surprised a little by their commitment. They were ready, they worked – they asked questions. The amount of delving into the text that a 16-year-old is willing to do, it was impressive.”

Clark van Beek, 17, a senior, served as the project’s director. He saw that growth firsthand through all the practicing his peers did.

“I saw the progress from start to finish, from reading their lines off of a phone to doing it all from memory,” he said, adding he was proud of how it all came together.

One student, Nico Schneiderlochner, a senior, used his three monologues to audition for Carnegie Mellon University and the Unified Professional Theater.

Schneiderlochner, 18, said he loved the project. He performed monologues from Romeo & Juliet, Lonely Planet and The Great Dictator.

“It really helped me explore new avenues of creativity in the acting world,” he said. “And overall, it was just something to do during this crazy time.”

Ellie Tongel, 17, a junior, opened the 23-minute compilation video by performing a monologue from “Three Days of Rain,” a play written by Richard Greenberg. She said she appreciated being able to pursue a passion, and she hopes to use Mitchell’s coaching for more opportunities to come.

“I’m glad that everyone was able to get this together, to have the opportunity to perform when we haven’t in the last year,” she said.

To watch the video, visit pbsd.net.