As the class of 2024 enters its final months in school, many seniors are reminiscing about their high school memories: homecoming, the SCA Olympics, spring sports and so on. However, the seniors in Drama have much to reminisce on beyond these activities. The school’s theater department has put on many successful productions and performances in recent years, and seniors involved in theater have learned and worked hard to make these productions for the school community. Owen Potts and Matteo Hope are two seniors at the school who have been a part of the theater department during their time as generals, and their experiences have shaped their years, productions and stories more than worth sharing. However, many people look to sports or clubs as after-school activities to get involved in the school community, Potts and Hope stress that the theater department is a great place to be with a welcoming environment that brings people together.
“The theater department at [the school] is a collection of all different people coming together to create something great,” Potts said. “This isn’t just actors – it’s tech crews like lights, set, sound, and props.”
The school puts on a couple productions every year, with this year’s being “As You Like It”, which was shown in the fall, and “Sweeney Todd”, which was shown in the spring. Creating these stage productions takes a lot of time and effort, and the school’s theater department is connected in a way that makes this work fun. People have the opportunity to form long-lasting relationships and meet many peers through the department.
“[The theater department] is a great group of loving, talented and brilliant people,” Hope said. “It’s home for so many people, and it’s such an accepting community too. This department for me is so much more than an activity I do. I’ve met my closest friends through this department and I’ve met so many incredible people.”
To Hope, Potts and others, the theater is where people feel welcomed and can have fun doing something enjoyable and exciting. Although for theater may just seem like another one of the school activities for many on the outside, to people within the department, it can be their passion and home. When looking back on their time as contributors, Potts and Hope have memories and experiences that will stick with them for the rest of their lives, and they can readily admit that the theater has taught them many things.
“Theater at this school has been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Potts said. “Doing theater at [the school], I have truly grown and matured as an actor.
But in the department, we also learn how to become better people. One lesson we have learned is that no matter what production we are putting on, we have to understand the emotions. Emotions are an important tool for an actor, but it is also an important tool for living life. Understanding where my feelings stem from has helped me grow as a more mature person.”
After spending years in the theater department, Potts, Hope and other members of the department have seen personal growth and improvement. Not only is being a part of the theater department fun for those who participate in it, but it is also rewarding personally. Just like any other class or extracurricular activity, theater is a place where people can learn about theater, and also, themselves – all while having a good time.
“Theater has helped me become more confident in myself and has taught me that putting time and effort into improving in something can really work,” Hope said.
Hope credits the theater teacher, Mr. Issa, for developing Hope’s love for the theater at the school, and many others do as well. The Northern Virginia Magazine acknowledged Mr. Issa was one of the top 10 teachers this year.
“I wasn’t here for the beginning of WL theater, but ever since Mr. Issa became the theater teacher, I’ve done every show with him, and the department was so small back then,” Hope said.
Potts, Hope, and other department members have learned lessons that have shaped their lives, and they hope that they will shape others, too. They encourage underclassmen and incoming students to try theater and performing arts because it has changed their lives for the better and taught them things that they will always remember, and they hope that it will change other people’s lives as well.
“Joining theater has been one of the best decisions of my life, and I encourage more to do the same,” Potts said. “We are a blossoming department that focuses on making the community a better place. Our doors are always open to everyone, and we would love to have you.”
