From rehearsals in early January to performing the play live in April, Auburn Riverside’s High School theater students worked tirelessly to produce the school’s spring play “The Theory of Relativity.”

Students in bright colored costumes stand across the front of the stage with their hands lifted in a final curtain call. — ARHS Student actors for their final curtain call | ARHS

“The Theory of Relativity”, it is an ensemble musical with music and lyrics written by Neil Bartram and the book by Brian Hill. The play shows how young adults deal with their feeling, try to find their place in the world, their true identity, and experience the wonders of human connection.

With a year of missed in person classes and social interaction, the play’s themes were important. “I chose it because of the intense focus on the importance of connection in our lives, and after being isolated because of Covid, I thought this musical would really speak to our audiences,” said ARHS theater teacher Katy Nuttman.

The musical digs deep into human connection and through their performance the ARHS student actors learned that just one person can make a big impact on another’s. “The Theory of Relativity” highlights the significance of relationships within a community.

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After two years of a lack or reduced human connection and contact during the pandemic, it was easy for audience members to relate to characters and themes of the play.

Nuttman decided to do an ensemble show to stop just a couple of the players to get all the credit for the musical. “This is an ensemble show, so our students are listed by name in the program but, aren’t given credit for the characters they play,” said Nuttman. “This creates a deeper focus on the idea of ensemble and that we are all working together, rather than individually focusing on each student.”

Every year the school gives away a $500 scholarship to a student as part of the Bill Profit Memorial Scholarship Program. This is an opportunity for students to be recognized for their hard work. Scholarships of any amount help any student with continued education cost.

This was the last play for the ARHS student actors this school year. Don’t fret if you missed it, most of them will be back next year and will have a fall play. They will also have a Ten Minute Play Festival in December and will have another spring play next year.

We can’t wait to see what all of ARHS and Auburn’s student actors have in store for us in the 2022-23 school year!