Fort Lauderdale High School’s very own Drama Club is back at it again and stronger than ever, kicking off with its first performance of the year!

The play was a one-act, which means that it has only one act as opposed to two, causing it to be shorter than other full length plays. This one-act was called The Audition by playwright Don Zolidis. The plot follows an ensemble of students, each with their own quirks, auditioning for the school’s musical production of A Chorus Line with a new theatre director. 

The Audition was also taken to a competition with other participating drama clubs in the district. The Audition was scored excellent for tech and overall. Actress Isabella Valenzano (12) and Lighting Director Paula Salvador (11) were also awarded the All-Star Cast (and Crew) awards, respectively.

Theatre Director Tatiana Ahlbum shares her post-production insight, 

“I feel like we’ve really learned a lot about what it takes to compete at that level and that our students, already skilled and talented, have additional knowledge and tools to be incredibly successful next season…,” she commented.

This one-act production was not only the club’s first performance of the school year, but it was also a new experience for most of the cast and crew. Performer Rashell Broderick (12) highlights the difference between performing in a play versus a musical, and how she personally made that adjustment.

“I believe that when you don’t have to worry about music in the background, it gives you more room to play around with your character,” she explained. “Even though my character in last year’s musical didn’t have a prominent singing role, there was still music in the scenes so it wasn’t the same.”

Ahlbum has confidence in her students and the future of the club, to continue growing and to become a student-led club one day. The club is already in the works of rehearsing their upcoming musical, Cinderella, which will be performed February 22-24, 2024.