“I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!” Screams of fear, loss, love and dismay sparked in the room as young thespians got into character. Black Box and Theatre Select teamed up to host the productions, I Don’t Want to Talk About It by Bradley Hayward and What I Want to Say But Never Will by Alan Haehnel Feb. 2-3. Both dramas were based on true stories of teenage emotions and how words influence their behavior.

The show started with Black Box theatre students enacting the fictional drama, I Don’t Want to Talk About It. The play featured over 20 scenes about insecurities or problems they would rather not discuss. These productions sparked interest in theatre students when given the script igniting a flame of excitement.

“This show was an emotional rollercoaster,” freshman Theatre Select student Valerie Msafiri said. “We had to find that empathetic side in all of us and sometimes there were things said that most of us felt, so we had to check in on each other. We didn’t anticipate to enjoy this experience as much as we did.”

The show was not just dramatic but poignant. It took actors months to get into character and really embrace their roles. WEHS theatre director Andrea Farnham was more than intrigued by the show and very pleased with her students’ execution of the play.

“I was very excited. I was ready for my students to get to showcase their talents,” Farnham said. “I love shows that make people think and feel. [The students] were wonderful, mature and professional. I was extremely proud of them. They worked many hours and it showed.”

Scene 31, “Silent Treatment” featured in I Don’t Want to Talk About It was a way for some to break from their shell and reveal their issues through another person. I Don’t Want to Talk About It discussed depression and anxiety and got most thinking ‘Hey, that’s how I feel’. For freshman Molly Jurden, this experience as an audience member was almost life changing.

“I felt very moved by the play. I felt very connected to the characters’ emotions because I’m experiencing some personally,” Jurden said.

Drama students think of theatre as an art known to be quite adaptive and unimaginable. Farnham says productions don’t need flashy lights and wide stages to put on a fulfilled show.

“I like what’s called blank stage or poor theatre. I don’t need a crazy set and colorful lights to put on a great show. True Black Box Theatre is intimate and sparse. It’s my favorite kind, as an actor and director,” Farnham said.

Students favored the play as a story as well as a way to express themselves. This play was a chance for them to speak their issues through someone else’s mouth.

“My performance surprisingly went well with me. It [my role] related to my life, so it was cool that I got to portray it,” junior Madison Harbison said.

The show was a moving experience for both the cast, directors and audience members. Following the Black Box show, Wylie East Theatre Select students brought to life What I Want to Say But Never Will full of true stories from people interviewed by the playwright.

One monologue featured in the performance was about a young girl whose parents were getting divorced. This role played by freshman Avery Pulley was dramatic and expressive. Through her character, Pulley described how there’s nothing worse than a deteriorating relationship between parents and children.

“Though I didn’t relate to the character’s problem, I felt I had the responsibility to tell the story because I know that many high schoolers deal with this every day. I imagined what being in the situation would be like and associated it with my acting,” Pulley said.

Theatre students featured in these productions plan to continue on in theatre through high school, college, and eventually pursue a career in drama. Thespians pride in their performances and know there’s always room for improvement. They strive to put on the best presentation of their Broadway side.

“I feel very optimistic about my theatre career in high school. While in theatre, I hope to learn and grow, to expand mentally. In my personal opinion, I think there’s always room to improve and pulling a show off takes good work ethic. I enjoy theatre so much and it’s going to help me grow as a person, now and in the future,” Msafiri said.

To a student, a director is a role model. The influence from a director, Andrea Farnham in this case, can transform an amateur into a professional. Farnham has directed her students in by giving them advice and treating them as experienced actors and actresses and loves her career adequately.

“For my students, I want them to discover empathy and keep their creativity alive. I want my students to keep playing. Find the joy in the little things life has to offer. As a teacher/director I get to share my talents with my students. To watch them grow is so rewarding. I had my doubts at first, but when I saw my first production my students performed 10 years ago, I knew I had made the right choice to teach,” Farnham said. “Make your career out of what you love and don’t look back. We get one short life. You have to work to survive, so you might as well work hard doing something you love!”

Theatre students thought the emotions expressed in both plays were real and made them feel more connected to their roles. They felt every emotion conveyed in the production was authentic and unique to the character. The show was moving for the cast, directors, and audience members. Students said they were thankful for this emotional drama and hope for plays like this in the future.

“I want to thank Mrs. Farnham for choosing this production for us because this show helped me grow as an actor and person,” Msafiri said.

The Black Box show I Don’t Want to Talk About It was featured in the 10 P.M. WFAA news broadcast Feb. 7 and The Wylie News’ Feb. 15 print.

The Mainstage Theatre class will go to UIL with their one-act play Ubu March 2-3.

“Forget about the paycheck. If you have a wealthy heart life is pretty amazing!” Farnham said.