T-Shirt Theatre Creates

Rehearsal For Life

 

 

Farrington's student thespians

celebrate the human condition

in stripped-down sets

 

 

By Cherry Cachero and Tan Yan Chen

The Governor

 

 

 

 

 

"All the world's a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts."

-- William Shakespeare, "As You Like It."

 

 

 

Taking that phrase to heart is Farrington's Gett!ng Dramat!c, which is making it possible for students to make the stage their rehearsal spot for real life.

 

"We want our students to feel comfortable rehearsing for it," said director and co-writer George Kon.

 

In rehearsing, students learn to make entrances, establish their presence, set and know their boundaries, and make exits.

 

"The first step is to get the person through the door," said T-Shirt Theatre producer Walt Dulaney. "If you really want the job, apply for it. Don't just stay on the sidewalk."

 

Also, by making your presence known, "You tell the world you're prepared to work," he said. "Then set the boundaries you need to do the job, knowing when to speak up and say enough is enough."

 

Throughout life, everyone has to make exits. The challenge is to know when to move on -- with projects, relationships, etc.

The idea for Gett!ng Dramat!c was seeded by Sherilyn Tom, former Farrington Language Arts Department head. In 1981 she asked Dulaney and Kon to hold a two-day acting workshop on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Dulaney and Kon soon expanded their successful two-day workshop into a two-week session that every first-year student at Farrington goes through.

"T-Shirt Theatre is helping me learn about myself, knowing that there's nothing to prove to anyone but me," said sophomore Leilani Naigan, a first-year cast member.

 

"My joys, laughter, excitement and fears are all here," added senior Nathaniel Corpuz, who brings his own life experience to the roles he plays.

 

According to Principal Catherine Payne, T-Shirt Theatre has had a positive influence on Farrington's school culture.

 

"Watching the joy that each individual has when on stage and seeing them grow because of T-Shirt Theatre is a great pleasure," she said.

 

T-Shirt Theatre is a product of Gett!ng Dramat!c. Tom suggested that Dulaney and Kon start a theater company for talented students they encountered through Gett!ng Dramat!c.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its original goal was to create a live show, with little or no trappings, that an audience can easily relate to.

Alumnus Ronald Rhor described T-Shirt Theatre as "a low-tech, high-zest theater company."

"We don't need all the props or fancy costumes. All we need are the shirts on our backs," he said. And that is how T-Shirt Theatre got its name.

 

The company puts on two shows every year, one in the fall and one in the spring. This year, their 16th season, the fall production is "That Rascal Berlin," guest-directed by Ron Bright, legendary drama teacher formerly at Castle High.

 

"Berlin" celebrates the courage of immigrants who overcome obstacles and prejudices to succeed in assimilating into American culture and life.

 

The play is about Irving Berlin, the famous songwriter who wrote classics such as "White Christmas" and "God Bless America."

 

His family immigrated to America from Russia when he was 5 years old.

 

"Resilience is the message of the play. Like the daruma doll, it's all about bouncing back up and never giving up," Bright said. "You fall seven times, get up eight times."

 

Many of T-Shirt Theatre's productions focus on the theme of resilience such as coping with depression, avoiding teen pregnancy and confronting personal prejudices. Other productions have tackled the topics of abuse, AIDS and drunken driving.

 

The student-written play "Tanks Eh?" conveys another recurring theme: appreciation for one another and the idea that gratitude not fully expressed can make people bitter, while a little thank-you will go a long way.