Deer Park High School Drama cast members from Blind Dates and Breakups.
Photo By: Cheryl Demke
The Deer Park High School Drama students gave a masterful performance in their recent production called “Blind Dates and Breakups.” A series of hilarious and outlandish, sketch comedies about some of the perils of dating.
Earlier in November the Deer Park High School Drama group put on a sketch comedy show featuring two scripts “Check Please” and “It’s Not You, It’s Me.” Both plays feature short, clever, quippy, and sometimes ludicrous scenes about romantic mishaps. Over thirty students were involved in this production. Each sketch was five minutes or less, so many of the actors had the opportunity to play multiple characters. This was a wonderful way to showcase the varied and talented collection of students in the High School Drama program.
The stage was set with three potential date-night scenes: Two restaurant-style settings and one with a couch for that comfy evening at home. The conversations ranged from plausible and familiar to bizarre yet still, somehow, relatable.
Many of the sketches required tight and specific timing, and these players were incredible at hitting their marks. The production team, likewise, was seamless with quick set changes and sound cues.
While drama teacher, Ross McCrorie, was away on paternity leave, Cheryl Demke was called in to take on this production. Demke taught drama in Deer Park for a number of years and was excited to step back into the role of instructor/director. “The Arts, Drama being one of them, are so important in our schools.” Demke stated, “They give so many of our kids an opportunity to develop both real world skills (such as teamwork and commitment) but also, the Arts create a space for our kids to develop who they are. And after teaching here for twenty-four years, I have so appreciated the Deer Park community’s continued support of Drama and the Arts.”
Even though every student involved was incredible, I do want to draw attention to a few standouts: Bryce Ferguson, Elizabeth Fausti, TJ Bond, Navaeh Lee, Gabe Gilbert, and Anna Leonard. From a dedicated politician, multiple personalities, and a psychic who reads feet, to an accountant who takes everything to the extreme and a guy who just wants to watch Sports Center these players were dedicated to each of their characters.
There were, additionally, a handful of new actors who took to the stage for the first time in this production. Despite their lack of experience they rose to the occasion and brought their characters to life. As always, I look forward to seeing more from all of these actors. Well done, everyone!
Shoutout to the seniors in the production: Elizabeth Fausti, Nolan Palmer, Robert Strickland and Austyn Stout
Sources:
- Program for Blind Dates & Breakups at the Deer Park High School’s Ken Fisher Performing Arts Center. Playbill, 2024.
- Chambers, Ellie. Text message to Cheryl Demke. November 2024
