This year theatre  is putting on three shows for  spring, a show about the trials of life, a war-time tragedy, and a dark comedy about the complications of relationships, two directed by teachers and the third produced by a guest director.

Journey

Directed by teacher Hannah Huerta, “Journey” emphasizes the adventure that is life. Along the way there are multiple paths to take, but in the end it all leads up to one long and winding adventure. Love, sadness, anger, betrayal, hurt. The journey life takes us on is different for each individual.

The story follows one girl’s journey through the expanse of her life through bunraku puppets instead of traditional actors.

“People will like our show because it’s new and different from what you typically see in the Starlight Theatre Company, as it’s focused more on movements and the way you can convey a story without words,” sophomore Lauren Collins said. “It’s an abstract show, so you need to pay attention, but I think everyone who sees it will really enjoy the spectacle and message.”

The show involves the actors moving the puppets in unison to portray actions, and the moving of the girl’s story through time.

“What makes my show special is that it’s a series a new technology that progressively gets more advanced,” sophomore Joe Morales said.

Huerta created the show herself and has had the great opportunity to portray the show she’s been wanting to bring to life for a long time.

“Our show is special because it’s never been done before. It started out as my original idea and we’ve collaborated as a cast and crew to bring it to life,” director Hannah Huerta said. “Everyday something new and interesting happens in rehearsal, the story expands and that’s all due to the hard work from the students.”

Through the movements of the actors, the technicians, and everything all orchestrated by Huerta, the show is able to bring the story of one girl and Huerta’s ideas to the stage and the audience.

“The overall message of our show is that life is a journey,” Collins said. “Journey is about how each human life is unique and difficult, but through hardships and your journey you can live a fulfilling life. The show is very poignant but uplifting as it really evokes a lot of feelings in those who watch it.”

Front

This year’s UIL show “Front” directed by the numerous Bowie theatre teachers delivers the tragedies of World War II from the perspectives of multiple unfortunate souls. Explosions quake the earth, the whistle of bombs sing through the air, the screams and cries of all the people wrapped up in the madness; the ever-present sounds of war.

“‘Front’ is really special because it offers a wide variety of characters, and how they respond to traumatic events, creating a dramatic and beautiful play,” junior Avery Helder said.

The actors portray numerous roles throughout the play, bringing each character’s experience with war into new light. The story follows three families who are dragged into the war in different ways, each connected to each other in a horrid series of events.

“I think this show is special because it is based around a historical event. That makes each character’s journey resonate more with the audience,” director Kalyn Holloway said. “Even though this event happened before I was born, I think of other similar events that have taken place since I have been alive and it makes this story and characters so real.”

The show focuses on everyday life during war and how it is literally destroyed around the families with set breaking and flying apart through the show.

“My favorite part of the show is the first bombing scene. The cast is on stage singing an old English hymn, as a bombing raid starts. It is a very abrupt change,” sophomore Matthew Bosnyak said. “And the bombing sounds are so loud and so shocking that it makes the audience feel as though they are in the actual bombing.”

“Front” is a tragedy focused on a real event with an emotional story to bring the audience to the event and make the historical travesty all the more real.

“I think the overall message of the show is hope,” Holloway said. “Even though war brings heartache and struggle, they can persevere and make it through the hardest of times, looking forward to the days of happiness ahead.”

Wonders of the World

“Wonders of the World,” directed by guest director Courtney Hall, is a dark comedy where a protagonist finds out something new about those  around her, leading her to question if her life is really the life she wants for herself and if she should keep going with the one she has.

Who are you? Who are the people around you? Do you really know them? By finding out something new, could that change your relationship forever? In the end, do you really have anyone?

“I think people will like my show because it’s comedic and plays to teenage humor,” sophomore Rebekah Peel said. “It also conveys dark themes through the humor, bringing attention to issues such as depression, alcoholism, and relationship problems, in a way people will laugh about.”

The show has a variety of characters with explosive personalities that audiences can laugh about, along with moments of breaking the fourth wall that mesh with the dark themes and secrets behind the characters.

“My favorite parts of the show are whenever we are all practically shouting wars with each other,” senior Shane Scandurra said. “We also all love doing the huge fourth wall breaks throughout the show. It is so much fun to do and watch.”

The show is riddled with explicit humor teens can relate to and find amusing, but not enough to distract from the more serious topics relating to the character’s back stories and the struggles they face.

“My show is special because of how invested you become in each character’s life,” director Courtney Hall said. “You’ll find yourselves rooting for the characters, hoping they all get what they want.”

“Wonders of the World” is a play filled with fun elements to invest the audience and leave them curious and hoping the characters’ lives and relationships with each other will turn out for the best.

“People will like it because it is an incredibly funny play with a lot of heart and a whole ton of fun,” Scandurra said. “The message of the show is that no matter where you go, someone will be there.”