Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent or any of those and an aspiring playwright, crafting a script that captivates students and brings a story to life on stage can feel like a daunting task.

But here’s a secret: with the right guidance, it’s absolutely doable — and incredibly rewarding. Besides, if William Shakespeare can do it, Juniata seniors Hannah Ehrisman and Kiersten Varner deserve a chance.

“Last year’s play was ‘The Ghosts of Little Rock,’ written by Alexander Drewes who was a senior,” explained Dawn Croisette, the fall play director and an 11th-grade English and creative writing teacher at Juniata High School in Mifflintown. “He wrote and acted in the one-hour play.

“This year, we had two seniors write the play and it is longer than last year’s play and involves more actors on stage throughout,” Croisette added. “Hannah and Kiersten are directing the play as well but have chosen not to act in the play.”

Photo courtesy of JUNIATA HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB
Juniata High School Drama Club members Brody Noerr, from left, Gaia Scarlata and Marissa Erhard run through lines for a scene of ‘The Game of Most Desired.’

“The Game of Most Desired,” a production of the Juniata High School Drama Club, debuts in the Juniata High School auditorium on Friday and also has a second showing on Saturday. Both show times are 7 p.m. The cost of admission is $5.

“I love that students have become so interested in writing a production that the community can watch to see the talents of some of our students,” Croisette said. “For me, it isn’t about topping last year’s production but continuing to turn out a quality student authored production.”

The production focuses on the lives of eight students, who come from different backgrounds, and are selected to play “The Game of Most Desired.” The students must compete against one another in various games to see who will become the victor.

The games are led by two hostesses with unyielding personalities. As players are eliminated, the remaining contestants fear something has gone terribly wrong. Can they finish the game to win what they desire most?

Croisette applauds the students’ efforts with the fall play, especially when they get into character.

“My favorite part of the play is the acting of the students when they have to have an argument — they get so into it and forget that they are on stage,” Croisette said.

The student writers accepted the challenge of playwriting through their creative writing class. While certainly rewarding when the curtain goes up on the final project, there were still some sleepless nights until the curtain went up.

“Last year, I had a student write the play and offered the same opportunity to students at the end of last year’s show,” Croisette said. “Hannah Ehrisman and Kiersten Varner took me up on the offer and wrote the play over the summer and the beginning of the school year.

“This assignment is also part of their grade for creative writing and they have worked very hard to create a complex plot that involved 10 actors,” Croisette added.

An original production can also be more difficult for the audience to follow than a well-known play because the audience is familiar with the outcome.

Cast and crew of ‘The Game of Most Desired’

• Director — Dawn Croissette

• Script Writers, Student Directors and Managers — Hannah Ehrisman and Kiersten Varner

Cast

• Hostess 1 — Marissa Erhard

• Hostess 2 — Gaia Scarlata

• Avery — Jacee Price

• Beau — Alivia Foltz

• Cameron — John Randolph

• Edaline — Bethany Walton

• Imara — Natalee Wolfe

• Noah — Matthew Mayberry

• Piper — Ava Ingle

• Tripp — Brody Noerr

Lights, Sound and Stagehands

• Addison Rutherford

• Luke Erhard

• Neveah Hess

• Lisa Goodling

• Rylee Bryner