Murder, Mystery, And Mayhem: Winter One-Acts Steal The Spotlight

Photo Credit: Maggie Perreault

Hamber’s Theatre Department started the new year off with two student-directed Winter One-Act Plays that were performed on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30.

The first show, How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery, was directed by Charlize Ng (12), Kendra On (12), and Ella Rizek (12). The second show, She Wrote, Died, Then She Wrote Some More, was directed by Eloise Lee (11), Alex Ma (11), and Christine Thanh (11). 

Both plays were exciting, self-aware, and satirical looks at classic murder mystery stories. However, the fact that both groups of directors selected plays that had similar themes was a total coincidence, according to Lee.

Hamber has been hosting the One-Acts since 2003 to allow junior actors and directors to gain experience before the spring show. 

“It was one of nine plays in each school year run by a junior company that only included the grade 8, 9, and 10s. In 2023, we made the Winter One-Acts official and had the senior students run them,” said the Winter One Acts’ executive producer, Mr. P. Beharry (Drama).

The plays had been in the works since rehearsals began in October. “[We started with] four hours a week of rehearsals, but extending them to almost every day as we got closer to the show,” said actor Mattias Liang (9).

For the junior actors who were part of these ensemble casts, the plays were a good opportunity to practice being a part of a production. “I can get really nervous and anxious and that’s what [my] whole character is based on, so it felt nice getting the chance to act nervous instead of spending time actually being nervous about grades and whatnot,” said Liuba Pavlenko (10).

For On, stage directing involved “helping guide actors as they add to their characters over many rehearsals, and providing feedback. By the end, there is an evolution of how far we’ve come.” As a director, On said she empathized with her actors and had full faith in them going into the performances. 

Meanwhile, Ma promised to get his ear pierced if they had a perfect show night. “[Ma ia] going to do it soon, so I guess we must've had a perfect show then,” Pavlenko said. 

The cast and crew found plenty of ways to enjoy light-hearted moments as well, including by coming up with silly jokes during rehearsals, vlogging on show nights, or going to karaoke afterward.

“It’s also a one-time thing, directors get to see their work on stage for a few nights and then it’s gone, it’s all very bittersweet,” said On.