On April 24th through the 26th, The Importance of Being Earnest premiered in Rider Hall as the final show of the year. Nearly a full house was present. 

Joshua Rubin, the Director of The Importance of Being Earnest, noted he had a deep sentimental feeling toward the show. In his youth, he performed the show while in college alongside his future fiancé. He proposed during rehearsals of their production. 

Mr. Rubin noted, “One of the great joys of directing at a high school is to be able to show an idea and bring it to life through a learning experience.” 

He added, “It was a true passion project. I had envisioned an idea of falsehood in the play. Some part of an identity of a person everyone knows but that someone still puts up with, they know it’s a play and still believe in the moment.”

Mr. Rubin said, “It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s relatable, and I think it deals with some issues that were important back then and are still important today.” 

Leading up to the show, a new projection crew was formed. Uniquely, the actors had no microphones like in most shows. Actors had to project their voice similarly as older shows would need. 

When asked if he envisions similar productions in the future, he said, “Yes, in the [style] of classical plays. It’s also important to introduce people and students to different forms of theatre, both classical and modern.”

Sound Crew member, freshman Adria Garza said, “We should have similar shows like this. I liked the design of the show and the unrealistic feel. It was really enjoyable to see the show come to life.”

Projections Crew member, freshman Toni D’Imperio said, “I believe it was a good show because it was entertaining and fun to work in.”

She added that her favorite part was getting sophomore Elias Rose, a fellow Projections Crew member, stuck on the lift used to hang the stage curtains. Shows like The Importance of Being Earnest “are needed in the theatre program,” she noted.