Sofia Cordoba
The actors take a bow after their performance.
Mt. Eden Theatre Arts put together a play that outsmarts the audience: “Deadline.”
The show took place at the Hayward Unified School District’s Performing Arts Center on March 28 and 29.
“Deadline” centered around a range of characters who were tricked into a “Deadline Contest,” requiring them to stay in a haunted house for 24 hours. The prize was a book deal from the best mystery publisher of their time. All seeking recognition for their literary works, each was determined to win—even if winning meant kill or be killed.
“We develop a very complex plan, months in advance,” said Mt. Eden Theater Arts teacher Tracy Phillips. “There are many different factors to putting on a production, and we are constantly organizing ourselves, working as a team.”
Although the whole play took place in one room, the lighting changed to convey specific scenes and monologues in different ways. As actors delivered scenes they looked at and talked to the audience, creating a sense of liveliness between the cast and the viewer.
“I was looking forward to hearing the audience’s reactions to the play because it’s rewarding to me,” said senior Mariangel Martin, who played Norris.
Senior Jade Mendoza, who played Vampetta, said “Deadline” was her last play.
“I’ve been doing theater for four years,” said Mendoza. “So it sounds weird, but I’m mostly excited for it to be over, so I can celebrate and be like: I did that.”
It was noticeable that each actor fit their role perfectly, as it was impressive how naturally they fit into their character’s personalities.
“I think that I can identify with my character a little bit, and I look forward to that because she’s underestimated a lot” said freshman Katelynn Ritz, who played Penelope Bain.
In the audience were seniors Ngoc Nguyen and Tenzin Gonlhang.
“I like the diversity of the characters and how everybody was very unique,” said Nguyen.
The casting, audience engagement, and humor made for a beautiful performance of this murder mystery.