The Canyon Hills VAPA department hosted their 2nd annual Short Play Festival on Friday, May 1st! The festival included multiple groups each performing 5–10 minute plays, all with specific guidelines they must follow-including saying a certain line, using a specific prop and sound effect, and following a broad theme.
Last year, the festival was a huge success, mostly because of how fun it was. The event allows people who are interested in acting, but don’t want to commit to a full-length performance, to have a chance in the spotlight!
My personal experience with SPF closely modeled this idea, as I love being in the limelight, but I’m not too great at being under those hot stage lights for too long. I had my stage debut at the event, sharing the stage with one of my closest friends. It filled me with so much pride seeing the insane talent of all my friends and peers! With all the writing and acting being entirely done by students, it’s a great opportunity for these students to showcase their skills in ways they may not often get the opportunity to do.
One of those talented student playwrights is Mia Pates, an 11th grader who’s returning to the festival this year. When asked why they enjoy writing, they said, “I get to make my friends do things that I think are funny and I get to make them laugh.”
Mia’s play this year focuses on three “stupid” knights who get sent on a mission to rescue a princess. But, as Pates puts it, “they’re stupid,” so they go the wrong way. (Plot details cut for spoilers!) What makes them especially proud of the piece is how it showcases their friends personalities and real life dynamics:
“I think it really captures the essence of all my friends a little bit while still providing them a role they can act in.”
Their approach to writing has evolved since last year.
“Last year I tried to write and just have an exact script to follow,” they said. “But this year I tried to leave it a little more open for improv because my friends already hang out so much and make jokes together. I wanted to include some of that to make the story feel more authentic.”
They also enjoy the collaborative aspect of directing. “It helps me learn to work with others. When I write, I see it in a very specific way in my mind, but when my friends do it, they might make up lines when they don’t remember something, and it’s always funny, sometimes better than what I wrote.”
Rebecca, also an 11th grader, plays the princess in Mia’s play.
“She’s really cool and powerful. She’s a girlboss,” Rebecca says proudly.
“You don’t see her on stage as much, but she has a strong presence. She’s not a damsel in distress, she don’t need no man! I like playing her because I get to scream really loud and yell at people, which is pretty fun.”
Rebecca also appreciates the way acting lets her break out of her shell:
“Not being myself for a little while—or getting to express myself but in a different way—is my favorite part.”
Both Mia and Rebecca say they’re excited to come back next year.
“This is my favorite thing,” Mia says without hesitation.
“Absolutely, I think it’s so fun,” Rebecca adds. “I yearn for the stage.”
With returning students bringing more experience and passion, and new performers getting their first taste of the spotlight, each Short Play Festival promises to be even better than the last. Everyone who comes out and supports these multi-talented students as they act, write, direct, and most importantly, make everyone laugh, is greatly valued in the theater community.
