Article and interviews by Maris Laughton; audio editing by Adam Colbert

After five years of play rehearsals, performances, inside jokes, friendships, and countless hours spent together, the seniors are finally saying their goodbyes and going their separate ways.The spring musical The Addams Family, performed on March 18,19,20, and 21, was the last big performance for the eleven seniors involved in drama society. All that’s left for them is the Advanced Theatre Studies play The Book Thief, performed on May 1 and 2 and the competitive plays, performed on May 9.

With a mix of lead actors, ensemble members, and crew members, this year’s seniors are a diverse group. Their talents shine through in all aspects of drama society, whether it’s in a musical, Shakespeare play, improv, or backstage. This year, the seniors focused on the family aspect of drama society. They worked hard to make everyone feel included. Their dedicated and welcoming attitudes have paved the way for future years in drama society.

These seniors are people that the younger kids in drama society look up to and will miss dearly. Here is what some of the younger kids had to say about each senior:

Teddy Waszazak

Nayiri Bekairian- I’m proud of him because he finally found what he loves to do, and this is what he’s meant to do.

Isabel Banks- Teddy is the father. There’s nothing he cares more about than this program, and I’m genuinely scared for him not to be around.

Scott Kall- He is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen in my life. The heart and soul that he puts into everything he does in this society, it amazes me every day. And I hope one day to be able to do that.

Brian Matthews- Without Teddy our last two shows would have been crap because basically backstage he controls it with an iron fist. He’s on top of it all, so without him the shows would be a mess.

Edj Andrews

Isabel Banks- Edj is quiet, but he has these one liners that make you die laughing.

Scott Kall- He is honestly probably the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. He is so warm and friendly and such an amazingly talented actor, singer, and performer.

Edj from The Big Red on Vimeo.

Brooke Leibowitz

Pat Fortuna- Brooke is no question going to be on Broadway some day. She’s like the mother to me in drama society.

Zack Carme- Brooke is very dedicated and I really admire that, and I’m going to miss that dedication and that heart that we have in drama society.

mikenna8 from The Big Red on Vimeo.

Zoe Moskowitz

Dakota Antelman- Zoe helped us all with our makeup. She made us all look wonderfully, gloriously, glamorously dead.

Scott Kall- She’s so upbeat and enthusiastic about everything, and I think that’s a really good attitude to have in drama society.

Stephanie Kall

Pat Fortuna- From the moment I walked through the doors on orientation night, she has been like a sister to me. She’s been there for everything.

Isabel Banks- She’s one of the most committed ensemble members I’ve ever seen in my life, and anyone can turn to her for guidance. She doesn’t demean anyone, and she’s just such a good person.

 Kat Meyer

Isabel Banks- She’s really accepting of everyone, and she’s just a really sweet person and incredibly talented. She blows me away all the time.

Scott Kall- It was amazing how close we got this year because we were married in both shows. I can say I would not have wanted to play opposite someone else in these past two shows. And her talent, I can’t even begin to describe.

Leia Owen

Zack Carme- She’s extremely dedicated, a great dancer, and has a great heart. She puts in a lot of work and she gets a lot out of that.

Dakota Antelman- She did a lot to sort out dances when Rachel wasn’t there. I definitely think she helped to clean up the show.

Isabel Banks- Leia is a great dancer, and she’s a good person to look up to.

Scott Kall- Leia is such a passionate girl. She’s done so much good for us with all the dances this year, and she’s incredible.

Mikenna Doherty

Scott Kall- She’s so sophisticated and she really knows how to put on a good show, and every time I looked at her during Addams she was so in character. The effort she puts in really amazes me.

Isabel Banks- Mikenna works really hard, and she’s good at what she does.

Mikenna4 aac from The Big Red on Vimeo.

Pat Reynolds

Zack Carme- Well we’re going to see him next year, but he’s really really funny. I don’t think I’ve met someone that naturally funny just on the spot like Pat.

Dakota Antelman- He’s not leaving after this year, so I’m really excited to have another year with him in drama society. It will be really fun because he’s such an energetic, goofy person.

Mike Lacerte

Scott Kall- He cares about this drama society in a way that I very rarely see. I mean this place means the world to him, and he really puts that into everything he does here.

Zack Carme- Mike’s just a funny guy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many improv skits that were so funny.

mike from The Big Red on Vimeo.

Taylor Benson

Nayiri Bekairian- I’m so obsessed with Taylor. I love him. I don’t want him to leave. His talent is disgustingly amazing.

Isabel Banks- I don’t know what we’re going to do without Taylor Benson. All I have to say is SOS when he leaves.

Zack Carme- Taylor is possibly the best, most dedicated musician I’ve ever met in my entire life. From the time I saw him composing his own music and playing it for our school and stuff like that, it’s just really awesome.

Scott Kall-  I don’t even know how he does what he does, and he’s still so nice, so smart, so warm, so funny, so easy to talk to and approachable. He has all the qualities that make an amazing person, and he will be very missed next year.