On December 4th at 6:00 pm, Frederick High School hosted their second ever before unified play. The auditorium was tightly knit and packed from both parents and adoring students alike, waiting to cheer their peers on.
The lights dimmed as Fredericks unified band began to perform sentimental, well known hits, such as the beloved tracks of “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, and “R.O.C.K. In the USA” by John Mellencamp.
Everybody sat hushed after a thunderous applause for unified band, and waited patiently for the next track to come.
The haunting melody of the Stranger Things theme song, by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein was then belted from a plethora of musical instruments on the stage. Many people could be seen throughout the crowd exchanging gleeful glances, as the newest season of the show had been released only eight days prior.
The unified band was then ushered off the stage, and the eighties, drama filled play began. But how exactly did this play come to be, and who is the genius behind the unified masterpiece?
Forming Of Dark Circuit
Dark Circuit came to fruition thanks to the wonderful director, Kendle Butterworth. While sitting down with her, I caught a glimpse into the passion behind the project, and how she incorporated every student into the role they desired.
“I am thrilled to provide opportunities for a performance to students who have not had access to the performing arts before, whether it’s onstage, behind a guitar, or behind a curtain.”
She explained to me how her performances she helps direct are bigger than just a play—it’s crucial life skills that help unified students feel comfortable in their own skin. “The method I use is based on Shakespearean Heartbeat by Kelly Hunter. The book explores utilizing theater exercises to aide students diagnosed with autism. It talks about assisting spatial awareness and facial expressions.”
The book taught her many methods as to how to approach the unified play, especially with such a significant population of the students being diagnosed with autism. Incorporating these unique methods into Dark Circuit helped to make the play larger than life, and one that many of these students used as time to improve social queues/skills, along with other crucial aspects of life.
The storyline wouldn’t have created the magic it did though if not for Tim Hatcher, a playwright in Dallas, Texas. He implemented classic musical tunes, the iconic recreation of children riding bikes, and of course—a training montage. The epitome of a thrilling eighties based play.
Dark Circuit’s Storyline
Dark Circuit perfectly encapsulated that retro, eighties feel into modern day subjects. Mr. Anderson, played by senior student Kade Wright, is revealed to be a robotic humanoid towards the beginning.
His shtick—he was planted to boost test scores, along with all of the other robotic teachers in the play. Throughout the play, he shuts down the stigmatization that popularity runs the show—starting with the three cheerleaders playing mean girls. The play itself is filled with punchy one liners, sassy attitudes, but one consistent factor is the remarkable acting jobs by the students.
The audience was fully engrossed into the play the entire time—with standing ovations frequently occurring and dazzling exclamations. Speaking from experience, it was impossible to tear your eyes away from the play.
Especially at the very end of the play, once all of the robotic teachers had been discovered and their plan had been thwarted thanks to police officers Joplin—played by the multitalented Joseph Summers, and Aderly—played by the wonderful Aracely Caro. The entire audience began clapping and singing along with the unified students up on stage, as the auditorium erupted in a feel-good dance party.
Those who were blessed to witness this free experience are sure to look forward to the next unified performance put on at Frederick High School. The play had such wattage—the electric feel when the audience left the auditorium is guaranteed to keep their battery full until the next masterpiece play is put on.
