Students have auditioned, and the plays have been cast for Black Box Theater. An annual spring and fall show allows students to write, direct, and act in their own short films and plays for Black Box Theater Festival. Freshman Isabella Hoskinson said she felt excited as opposed to nervous for her audition.

Senior Kouri Demelash said everyone is cast, no matter their skill level. Senior Kouri Demelash said he sees many nervous incoming freshmen, but suggests doing it despite the nerves.

“Usually the seniors are good about making sure everyone feels welcome,” Demelash says.

All students who desire to participate are able to audition for Black Box Theater Festival. Hoskinson said that Black Box Theater Festival does a good job of integrating freshmen with the upperclassmen.

“They’re very welcoming there,” Hoskinson says, “I’m just a freshman, and I’ve gotten a very good role in one of the films that we’re doing.”

Senior Chloe Hannings also said that Black Box Theater Festival promotes connections between students. Hannings said that Black Box Theater Festival is a good way for students to ease into theater at Free State High School.

“[Black Box Theater Film Festival] is a very beginner-friendly way of doing it,” Hannings says, “It’s not as long a schedule as the big shows.”

With a shorter time commitment than the large Free State productions, Demelash said that Black Box Theater Festival is beneficial to freshmen because…. Demelash said he encourages freshmen to audition and get involved.

Demelash has both acted and directed for Black Box Theater Festival. As a director, Demelash said he gets a say in cast lists and chooses to include freshmen.

“I’d say just be involved,” Demelash said. “Even if it makes you nervous, be sure to, like, audition for it, because it could change your life.”