DTASC: Sensational Shakespeare!
May 21, 2018
As an Acting II student, I not only enjoy acting myself but also love watching my classmates perform; therefore, I especially look forward to the DTASC performances every year! DTASC, or Drama Teachers Association of Southern California, is a drama program that pushes students to their fullest potential in a competitive manner. The actors prepare their scenes at their respective schools and then perform them in front of the judges and other DTASC groups. The ultimate prize is an award (and bragging rights), though the actors also gain valuable experience along the way. At Marymount, the students who attend the festival also perform for their peers during period 9, in H-9. Acting students, friends, and teachers come together to witness the talent of these performers.
Going into H-9, I had only seen a few scenes performed during class, and thus didn’t know what to expect. The Shakespeare scenes were presented by sophomores and freshmen – a daunting task for the underclasswomen! Each scene had a sense of emotional depth; one could tell how much every girl had practiced, and I loved being able to experience how each actor interpreted the play and approached her role. For instance, Piper and Hailey’s performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor was both emotional and realistic as they completely embodied their characters. Both actors perfectly illustrated the passion and anger of the scene, demonstrating how Mistress Ford and Mistress Page felt about being used by Falstaff for financial gain.
In class, Mr. Schulte and each DTASC student worked diligently to perfect each scene. Some of the plays included Twelfth Night, The Tempest, and various scenes from Romeo and Juliet. Firstly, Mr. Schulte would start off by sharing the history of each scene, describing the characters and what brought them to this point in the play. At the start of each performance, each girl would state their name and give a bit of background on their character. Then, they would begin, amazing the audience members with their animated facial expressions and dynamic body language. There were about 2 to 4 girls performing in each scene while Mr. Schulte watched, timed, and graded each performance. Ultimately, each scene was executed with the utmost professionalism, and the audience completely felt as if they were part of the story.