The process of writing a play is a lengthy one that requires months of preparation. Out of the selected pool of writers, only a couple of students actually write scripts, which then must be approved by the directors and the administration. Rosenberg said that the inspiration for his play came from his AP United States History class. “I was sitting in Mr. Rudolph’s class last year learning about the Cold War, when suddenly the idea came to me. For the next 45 minutes I just stopped paying attention, and by the end of class I had the idea for the story and most of the main characters all planned out.” Rosenberg’s play, called Beyond Watergate, took place post-Cold War and was about two teenage boys, played by seniors Patrick Meehan and Sean Huntley, who find a tape containing incriminating evidence against President Nixon. Kokish’s play, entitled Linus and His Right Hand Man, revolved around two criminals, one without a left arm, senior Cody Rhodes, and his sidekick named Linus, freshman Lane Lyle. When they try to rob an apartment by posing as cleaners, they get into a seriously sticky situation, and hilarity ensues.
    
    This year’s directors were seniors Ian McAdams and Jan Van Bruggen. Van Bruggen has been doing the AIDS Benefit Play since his freshman year, and said it was one of his favorite activities in all of high school. He has been both an actor and a writer in the past, and described the three roles he has now filled as related but very different. When asked about his directing experience, Van Bruggen said that time seemed to fly by when he was constantly active in the process, and that directing “is like experimenting; trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t, not to mention taking on a lot of responsibility.” McAdams has also been involved in the play before, including taking a lead role in last year’s comedy. He also enjoyed his directing experience as something new and different from what he’s done in the past. “It’s been really fun and I enjoyed getting behind the scenes and gaining a new perspective on how to be a leader through working with the actors.” The actors described working with the directors as a very positive experience as well. Senior Kajsa Nelson commented, “It’s more like working with a friend. We trust their judgment enough so that anything they say goes.”

    The process of writing a play is a lengthy one that requires months of preparation. Out of the selected pool of writers, only a couple of students actually write scripts, which then must be approved by the directors and the administration. Rosenberg said that the inspiration for his play came from his AP United States History class. “I was sitting in Mr. Rudolph’s class last year learning about the Cold War, when suddenly the idea came to me. For the next 45 minutes I just stopped paying attention, and by the end of class I had the idea for the story and most of the main characters all planned out.” Rosenberg’s play, called Beyond Watergate, took place post-Cold War and was about two teenage boys, played by seniors Patrick Meehan and Sean Huntley, who find a tape containing incriminating evidence against President Nixon. Kokish’s play, entitled Linus and His Right Hand Man, revolved around two criminals, one without a left arm, senior Cody Rhodes, and his sidekick named Linus, freshman Lane Lyle. When they try to rob an apartment by posing as cleaners, they get into a seriously sticky situation, and hilarity ensues.