Are you interested in acting, singing, or performing? Do you enjoy sharing your work with others? Well, HMSA’s Theater and Film club is for you! Founded and started in the 2016-2017 school year, Theater and Film is a relatively new club. Students from every grade are welcome to join. Meetings are held every Friday in Ms. Morris’ classroom (502). You may have heard a little about Theater and Film Club, but now, let’s get to know more about the club and the people in it.

Theater and Film’s advisor is Ms. Morris. When she’s not teaching English II, she supervises the meetings every Friday. Get to know more about Ms. Morris in the following questionnaire.

1. What led you to becoming the advisor for this club?

I was approached by the club’s founders, creative types who argued that HMSA needed a creative outlet for students, and I said yes.

2. What would you say to someone who is contemplating on joining the club?

Do it!  We’re a warm, friendly group, who doesn’t take itself too seriously.  Plus, it’s good to have a place where you can be creative and playful.

3. Growing up, did you have a passion for theater or film?

The short answer: not really.  But I’ve always loved memorizing lines.  One of my strongest memories from high school is memorizing and performing a soliloquy from Macbeth: “Out, damn spot!  Out I say!”  It was my first experience with how performance can deepen appreciation for literature.  Then, in college, I had to memorize and perform a couple of poems for a class, and I still remember them, “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed And Where And Why” by Edna St. Vincent Millay and “The Stolen Child” by William Butler Yeats.  It wasn’t until my junior year, in a Shakespeare class, when I took on the role of stage director for “Twelfth Night” that I came to appreciate the theater as a whole, the work behind the interpretation of lines: the costumes, the lighting, the music, the blocking (positioning on stage), the personal dynamics between cast members.  In my senior year of college, it all culminated in playing the lead in “Much Ado About Nothing.”  It was a thrill to put aside my personal cares and for those few hours of practice or performance channel Beatrice, this feisty, complicated character.

4. If you had to describe Theater and Film club in three words, what words would you use?

Fun, creative, safe.

5. Lastly, as an advisor, you are able to watch the students grow and learn new things, what has been the most rewarding experience for you so far?

Recently, we challenged small groups to write and perform an original short play, and I was blown away with their humor and creativity–and what they were able to do with so little time and so few resources.  This may be a math and science academy, but our students have many hidden talents.  As a teacher, this was an important insight for me because it reminded me that I daily engage with young people who will go on to achieve great things, that my job is not only to teach what I know but to also inspire them to go beyond that.

Senior Ashley Santoyo is the club President. Here’s what she has to say about the club.

1. What are three words to describe the club?

Creative, Fun, and Open

2. What inspired you to join?

This is the first and only Theater club our school has, and I’ve always been interested in going into the entertainment business (if medical school isn’t fit for me).

3. What does a normal meeting look like?

Our normal meetings consist of beginning with SafeZone, where our members can bring in works (poems, short stories, a song they love, or an image) to share with the rest of the club, judgement-free. After, we will begin our activity for the day. For example, working on a previously started project or a game relating to Theater, such as Improv.

4. Any events/future plans for the club?

We are currently planning to perform for Multicultural.

5. What is one of the best things about the club?

One of the best things my club offers is the freedom of expression. We love enjoying each member’s different sense of humor and style. We never judge them but rather encourage them to have confidence in themselves to aim higher than the last time.

6. Has there been anything you have learned from the club?

Being a part of this club showed me to have confidence in myself and appreciate all of the different forms of art that exist. When I started coming to TFC, I was so scared about how people were going to react to my interests, which are acting and singing. I was expecting polite claps but received encouraging comments that made me think, “Why am I so hard on myself? If they believe in me, so can I.” It’s a beautiful thing to be around so many different people who come with different backgrounds. If it wasn’t for TFC, I wouldn’t have seen the beauty to Broadway, music of different countries, filming, video editing, etc. This club has brought me a sense of belonging and confidence within the members and myself. They are a small family away from my own.

Vice President is senior Karen Zavala, and this is what she has to say about the club.

1. What are three words to describe the club?

Free-spirited, outgoing, creative.

2. What inspired you to join the club?

I’ve always been interested in the art of performing and the idea of being able to express your creativity. This club has been a place where I am able to do both and develop more of my skills.

3. Do you have any future plans/events for the club?

A show put together by the club would be ideal, but we’re working on a Multicultural performance right now. Hopefully in the near future, we’ll be able to put up a production.

4. What is one of the best things about the club?

One of the best things about Theater and Film Club is being able to express yourself without fear of judgement. Everyone is open and accepting of each other, and it’s just full of support. They are there to share their talents and you will be able to feel great after.

5. Has there been anything you have learned from the club?

I’ve learned that the quietest people have hidden talents. You’ll be surprised by the amount of passion and talent hidden within a person. It’s one of the best things about being in the club because you start to see them become more comfortable with the talent they have and be more confident in themselves.

The Theater and Film Club meets on Fridays after school. If you’re looking for a place to express yourself and share your talents, then this club is for you! I have been to a couple meetings myself, and I can assure you that you will find the most supportive and encouraging people there! If you have any questions or want to learn about the club even further, you can drop in to see a meeting and see how the club runs.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Pedro Adame

All laughs at Friday meetings!