By Ember Reiter and Camila Garcia-Ortero

        “It’s such a thrill when you’re up there, it’s a form of art where you can really express yourself and paint a story to people,” said actor David Benavidez in a quote that seems to encapsulate the theatrical experience. As the Dons took the stage Friday night to open A Chorus Line, the exhilaration was palpable as people streamed into the packed SBHS theater. “Tonight’s performance was over the top with talent, heart and soul. I honestly believe a number of stars were born here tonight at SBHS,” raved substitute teacher Mr. Al. Among these stars were students Izzie Fabio, David Benavidez and Dragon Aditya; all of whom we were lucky enough to interview.

          “I always really loved singing and did theater in junior high so when I came over to SBHS they had a really cool theater program and I made a lot of my friends there…I’ve been in theater all four years and I really love it,” said VADA student Izzie Fabio on her passion for theater. As a senior this year, Fabio had the opportunity to star in this year’s production as the headstrong dancer Cassie. “Cassie is very confident and secure and knows who she wants to be and I feel like I myself have journeyed through that experience of discovering who you are and what you want in life outside of what others want for you so I relate to her in that sense,” said Fabio when asked about her connection to the character. “She’s a little more aggressive than I am, so it was kind of scary to go in and be so angry and so determined to do what you do, but that’s just what you have to do with acting.” 

                  Although Fabio has been singing ever since she can remember, the experience is something new. For senior David Benavidez, the show marked his theatrical debut. “I just started this year after I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show in spring 2023, and I was just in awe of how powerful that show was and everyone just looked like they were having so much fun and I made it a goal to join my senior year,” Benavidez said on his decision to join the theater program. “I took acting classes over the summer to kind of prepare and I joined choir my senior year to explore my voice and also to perform because I wanted to perform any chance that I could.” This hard work paid off for Benavidez when he was cast as Zach, the infamous casting director in A Chorus Line. “I would love to continue to perform in the future, it’s so much fun,” said Benavidez on his newfound passion. 

                   For some, acting comes naturally and that is definitely the case with freshman Dragon Aditya. “Of course you’re never gonna get specifics and the exact same experience that you will have with characters but you can always connect it back to an emotion that you’ve felt in your life.” Aditya said of his process portraying Paul. “ I just felt that longing and confusion of one’s self that I connected to Paul’s character and I tried to bring that out.” After joining the stage crew in 7th grade, he “sort of fell in love with the whole thing” and decided to join A Chorus Line. If you’re interested in seeing this high-powered production, catch this weekend’s exciting performances at 7:00 pm tonight and 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Saturday. In the words or Mr. Al “Two hours went by like two minutes and I did not want it to end.”