Public Domain: A Look At What's To Come

Fatimah KhanThe annual Samohi Theatre student variety show, Public Domain, which includes music, dance, poetry, standup comedy and theatrical performances, will premier Friday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. in the Humanities Center.The production will include popular one-act plays such as “The Zoo Story” by Edward Albee as well as musical numbers such as “Stick to the Status Quo” from “High School Musical” and “Show Me How You Burlesque” by Christina Aguilera. Most of the production, however, will highlight original work by students.“Typically students write their own scenes, cast the actors and direct,” Soller said. “Dancers choreograph their own dance moves to the music of their choice [and] most songs performed are created by students themselves. Sometimes students do mashups of songs as well.”For the first time, the production will include a student-written three-person poem about the justice system and police brutality in America.“What makes [the three-person poem] different is that we are performing it, so there are some moments when all three of us are talking in unison, or two of us, or just one,” said Mira Baum (’16). “It’s more than a regular poem would be.”According to Student Coordinator Sofie Hubbard Warshafsky (’16), this year’s production will not only incorporate theatre students, but will also include students from Samo’s Jazz Band and AP Art program.“The idea is that as soon as you head to the show, you are fully immersed into a world of art,” Warshafsky said.According to Warshafsky, students have been preparing everyday after school at rehearsal for an hour and a half so that others can look forward to a high quality performance filled with energy.“As one of the heads of Public Domain this year, it has been a great experience getting to watch the different acts and have talented people around me,” Warshafsky said." I really hope people come and enjoy the performance because it is not like any other production the theater department puts on, and it is filled with students who have put a lot of hard work into something that they love."According to Theater Director Kate Soller, audience members will be pleasantly surprised by the talent being showcased.“I expect students will be blown away by the talent at this high school,” Soller said. “There are some really, really talented students at this school, and they are doing exactly what they want to do [during the production], which makes it that much better.”