Year marks high for student performances

“Jekyll and Hyde” and “The Woman in Black” displayed the serious side of the drama department. Saratoga Idol and the Talent Show showcased the extraordinary, unknown abilities of many students. Bombay in the Bay gave students a deeper understanding of Saratoga’s diverse culture. Through a wide variety of student performances this year, audiences were brought to the edges of their seats in both fear and excitement.

This year’s production of “Jekyll and Hyde” marked one of the high points in a successful year of student performances. In the drama department, more mysterious, dramatic performances such as “Jekyll and Hyde” and “The Woman in Black” set this year apart from the comedies of past years.

“People don’t really take the drama department seriously,” said sophomore Pavi Sadras, “and this year we showed people that we have talent and that people need to pay more attention to us. I think we really needed these kinds of productions to make that sort of impact.”

Senior Aditya Dev attended “Jekyll and Hyde” and described the experience as “scary and realistic.”
“I think this year’s productions were really strong because there were two seniors, Jay [Lee] and David [Mandell], who spearheaded everything and were so dedicated and involved, which made everything all that much better,” Dev said.

Sadras also believes, however, that “The Woman in Black” was the best student-produced performance.

“It was a really serious and scary play, and we haven’t ever done that sort of thing before,” Sadras said. “It was also very professional, and Jay [Lee] and David [Mandell] were fantastic.”

This year’s talent show also stood out in the minds of many students. Senior Grace Kim enjoyed seeing different sides of her classmates and learning more about them.

“You don’t get to see them sing or play guitar while they walk down the hallways,” Kim said, “and they were all so talented, so it was amazing to see all of them come out and perform.”

Another highlight of this year’s student performances was Saratoga Idol. Freshman Manini Desai finished as the second-place runner-up in the competition.

“I really enjoyed singing to so many people, where I’m not everyday-Manini, but my more glamorous, performing persona,” Desai said.

Desai believes that the large attendance of Saratoga Idol “really brought everyone together to enjoy some friendly competition and a night of really talented singers.”

“[Saratoga Idol felt] different this year because our class put it on,” junior Ruchie Bhardwaj said, “and so the benefits went to our class. There were also a lot more juniors up there. Since I personally knew a lot of people on stage, it just felt more connected. In that way, Saratoga Idol felt like it was more unified.”

Desai agreed that this year was unique due to its wide range of performances.

“This year had a diverse range of voices, where some people were kicking it old school with the Beatles to the others who were busting out Beyonce,” Desai said. “That was fun as an audience member because there was something for everyone, and with a lot of that variety coming from the seniors, it will be interesting to see the new perspectives people will bring in the coming years.”

Bombay in the Bay also broadened the minds of many students on campus. Sophomore Amin Mirzadegan enjoyed watching the “well-choreographed dances” and thought that the dance with combined grades was an improvement from last year.

“It seemed to lessen competition,” Mirzadegan said, “and all the participants could bond with people outside their grades.”

ASB president senior David Mandell believes this year’s wide variety of student performances provided students with more exposure.

“The school has a good taste of the arts,” Mandell said. “[The performances] definitely brought more culture to the campus.”