Among the many students who call the Thermond Drama Center home, Zach Grob-Lipkis is easy to spot. The junior can often be found energetically performing his lines with a script in hand, often causing the whole room to erupt in laughter.
Having participated in eight productions at the school, Grob-Lipkis is one of the most involved and experienced students in the drama department. In the last two years, he has played a variety of roles, ranging from cheerful and charismatic Mr. Bingley in “Pride and Prejudice” to seedy gambler Harry the Horse in senior Nina Nelson’s student production “Good Morning, Karina.”
Junior Raymond McCarthy, who has spent perhaps the most time with Zach as a co-performer and personal friend, said, “Zach is a master of charisma [who applies this] to his acting in ways that finesse his characters' believability. Control and awareness are clearly well-versed concepts for Zach, as seen in his detailed yet comprehensible characters, all of which reflect his adaptability and versatility as an actor.”
Grob-Lipkis’ devotion and long-term interest of acting started in Carden Day School during his preschool years where he played the lead role of Max in “Where the Wild Things Are.” Realizing that evoking reactions out of an audience was something he enjoyed and “filled his ego,” Grob-Lipkis has avidly participated in leadership roles and various shows.
“Zach is responsible and charismatic towards his peers in the drama program, which allows him to be a great leader,” said senior Neeki Tahmassebi, a fellow performer who has worked with Grob-Lipkis in this year’s spring musical “Guys and Dolls.” “[Yet], he’s super humble [and] has accomplished so much.”
Outside of drama class, Grob-Lipkis lent his theatrical skills to his class during Homecoming week. He played Paula Dean, a celebrity chef, in the 2014 sophomore quad day, showcasing a humorously sassy personality. This year, his performance as Smee in the junior quad day contributed to the class’ best quad day performance yet.
“Smee was written to be a comedic relief character, which is the same type of character that I played in my sophomore performance,” Grob-Lipkis said. “To emphasize Smee’s character, I just gave myself a wacky voice, some flappy arms and used lots of one-handed clapping.”
Grob-Lipkis additionally helped write the skit for the junior class with McCarthy, making use of key lessons from his years of experience in theater.
Grob-Lipkis said a common idea in comedy is the “Dumb and Dumber” duo. For example, Captain Hook, in his attempts to deceive Peter Pan and his Lost Boys, reveals his true denseness, while his sidekick Smee’s unbridled stupidity piles onto the comedic effect.
“You see this style of comedy duo everywhere. It's Jafar and Iago, Timon and Pumbaa and Key and Peele,” Grob-Lipkis said.
Grob-Lipkis has also used his theatrical spark as co-host of Saratoga Idol this year. And as part of the Comedy-Sportz, he helped the team finish second at the California State Thespian Festival in late April.
Grob-Lipkis said his drama and theatrical experiences have helped mold his personality.
“Drama basically trained me to be confident and to be a leader,” Grob-Lipkis said. “Find me around the school some time if you want to join the enlightened group of us.”