The award winning collection of vignettes, “Remedies for a Broken Heart”, kicked off its two-night run at the Cal High theater last Thursday.
Before the one act, the show began with scenes the play production class performed at the Lenaea Theatre Festival on Feb. 3. The scenes included monologues, two-person scenes and songs.
Written by senior Bella Kelleter, who received bronze for student direction and original one act scripts at the Lenaea Festival, “Remedies for a Broken Heart” features a series of vignettes that provide snapshots into different character’s lives with underlying themes of heartbreak, hope and despair.
“It follows the story of different types of relationships and people,” Kelleter said.
The vignettes start with James, a man in prison played by senior Jae Smith, passionately writing a letter from behind bars to his partner, Hazel (senior Asita Singh). This poignant scene sets the stage for the emotional tones prevalent throughout the rest of the one act.
Another scene depicts two siblings, Phoebe (senior Ollie Stefani) and Lydia (junior Sofia Di Pietro) making a fake card signed by their father in order to get their parents to stay together. The parents, who easily see through the children’s plans, get into a series of heated arguments. It ends, regretfully, with the mother screaming that she doesn’t love the father anymore.
In a more lighthearted scene, Benny (senior Tyler Hurley) attends a party with his girlfriend when a girl he has cheated on her with shows up. The vignette followed his futile attempt at trying to keep his secret affair hidden from his girlfriend.
In a different vignette, Amara (senior Nadia Rouillard) is seen waiting for her husband, Lev (senior Maverick Smith) to come home on their sixth wedding anniversary. When he does arrive, he is drunk and completely oblivious of the special occasion.
After an argument broke out between them, he was so intoxicated he couldn’t even tell Amara how they met. The phone rings and Lev goes to go pick it up. In a state of rage, Amara takes a wine bottle and slams it over Lev’s head. The lights go black, signifying the end of this bleak love story.
The play closes with the recurring vignette between Hazel and James. Hazel is worried because she hasn’t heard back from James in a while, as he was supposed to be released from prison.
She then hears a knock at the door and opens it to see James standing before her. They embrace and, on a cheerful note, the lights fade.
Kelleter’s portrayal of love and relationships displays a realistic outlook on how teens are today. Their somber yet hopeful perspective on love serves to create a one act that is very relevant to students. This is one of the unique benefits of using a script written and directed by a student.
Hurley said working with a student director was a fun and educational experience, which differs from using a pre-existing script.
“I feel like I have a lot more freedom because I know Bella and Bella trusts me a lot with my character which is really nice,” Hurley said before the performances.
Rouillard said working with a student director helped her become more in touch with her character.
“I can do what I want with my character with great direction from Bella and the writing is so in tune with how society is today,” Rouillard said.
Theater teacher Laura Woods said Kelleter’s leadership skills and creativity helped foster a sense of community within the cast.
“Bella is so good at bringing their cast together,” Woods said before the performances. “We feel like a really cohesive group this year.”
Kelleter’s play is the third original play written and directed by a student. Since returning to in-person school after the COVID-19 pandemic, Woods said students emerged with their own scripts.
“It’s great because we need new works,” Woods said “And it’s really nice to have a different voice and energy.”
Members of the play production class agree that having a student direct a show has been a positive experience for everyone involved. It has now become a tradition they plan on continuing in years to come.
“It’s a little surreal because sometimes I forget that I actually wrote an entire one act, which is really crazy,” Kelleter said.
