5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the SJO commons. Tickets are available at the door. We asked drama director Chandler Dalton five questions ahead of opening night.

How do you select which play you will produce?
I look at how many kids I have, what costumes and props we have and what the kids would be interested in. I was originally going to do a Agatha Christie show this fall but found that it was going to be difficult to produce in the commons so I switched it to this one.
How is doing a play in the commons different than the auditorium?
It’s been a challenge. We have been talking about performing in the commons for over a year so I’ve had a lot of time to plan and prepare. There is definitely a lot of distractions with other activities going on in the commons but the kids have rose to the challenge and have worked really hard.
What does the new auditorium mean to your program?
The new auditorium will open so many doors for this program. We can do much bigger shows and better effects. Our stage is doubling in size so there is so much room for creativity and possibilities. I’ve been in on the project since June of 2021 and have been updating the students after every meeting I attended. I took the students in the auditorium and let them walk on the new stage for the first time this past week. It was a surreal experience and I just can’t wait for it to be finished to see their reactions to their new home.
What can people expect from this show?
This show is a comedy but it also speaks some truth about how social media effects us on a daily basis and how it can become a distraction. The show pokes fun an issue that has become a problem in our society. I think people will really enjoy this show.
How would you describe the cast?
This cast is a group of amazing students who have worked so hard on this show. I’ve been telling them since the spring that we had to be flexible and roll with the punches due to our performance space and they have risen to the occasion and knocked it out of the park. I’m so incredibly proud of them and their performance with this play.