Though the Playmakers were not able to travel and perform onstage for the North Carolina Theatre Conference this year, this group of talented students still submitted a filmed version of a play they wrote, directed, scored and videoed called In Between the Trees. The film is available for all audiences on NCTC’s website until Nov. 30.
In Between the Trees follows a group of six teenagers who deal with inner turmoil and mysterious, otherworldly threats in the wake of the untimely death of one of their friends. During the play the characters are separated from one another and are tasked with both finding a way out of their entrapment in the strange woods and finding the other members of their group. While the story begins on a lighthearted note, the plot quickly descends into darkness, exploring themes of peer pressure, forgiveness and sacrifice. The bulk of the story follows Paige and Kaia, the two characters who appear to be the leaders of the group, as they struggle through the tragedy.
Accompanying the main friend group are characters who make the wooded setting of the film their home and display ambiguous motives throughout the play, adding to the confusion of the central characters. Are they hunters? Moral guides? Lost travelers? Whatever their true intention, these characters lead the friends through the choppy waters of the aftermath of tragedy. Played by six other Playmakers, the characters introduce several of the darker issues in the story and facilitate its more reality-bending elements.
The main group of seven friends, itself, provides relatable figures for teenage viewers. Characters exchange familiar banter and combat self-doubt, fear and remorse. Yet, their less casual experience throughout the play’s conflict transports viewers into a revealing hypothetical situation along the lines of Lord of the Flies. Audiences can expect a penetrating story which may leave them questioning their own friendships.
Most profound is the deep vein of reflectiveness that the Playmaker writers tied into In Between the Trees. In a literal sense, one impactful scene involves one of the main characters, Kaia, peering into a mirror, first at her dead friend, Bennet, then at her own reflection. It is in this scene where Kaia, played by junior Cora Jones, delves into her deepest insecurities and doubt regarding the tragedy of which she was recently a part. In the end, Kaia’s personal growth throughout the play is rewarded, though in a way many viewers may not expect. The playwrights involved in this production were Elise Bednar, Aila Givins, Peyton Walton, Logan Irving, Jon Jones, Milan Ellis, Owen James.
Besides the intriguing plot and relevant characters which the Playmakers created, In Between the Trees also exhibits an outstanding setting which reflects the turmoil and confusion of the characters’ conflict perfectly. In this way, the chance Playmakers received to perform in their local area rather than in the confinement of a theatre aided their production, lending it deeper meaning and enjoyable aesthetic. The film was shot by the combined effort of Zeb Scott, Elise Bednar and Sean Crothers.
Scenes were captured in the Valley Cay area of Valle Crucis, and the story itself takes place between woods and on a dock at a pond. The inclusion of scenes during both night and day contributes to the action of the story, especially when, during the night, strange occurrences begin to worry some of the main characters. In connection to the theme, the wooded setting conveys the vastness and distance, which is an obstacle which the main friend group learns they must surmount to return to their former lives—and each other.
As well, the Playmakers found creative ways of adding level to their film through the use of a drone, which was operated by Sean Crothers, Emma Furr and Daniel Herman. The drone captures shots that wrap the characters’ story into the setting in a way that makes the events of the play feel small but amplified at the same time. Sweeping movements of the camera through the use of the drone make the entire production feel mature and professional, displaying attentiveness to detail. The last scene of the film, in particular, features shots from a drone that significantly enhances the emotion, finality and impact of the play in its entirety.
Throughout the entire film runs a soothing yet periodically eerie soundtrack scored by Tyler Osmond, Andreas Buzan, Tommie Freundlich and Cora Jones. The music produces a sound that is organic and simplistic, complementing the natural setting, and somewhat melancholic, which underscores the emotional experience of the story.
Besides those Playmakers who developed music, operated cameras, acted in the film and directed the entire show, other students managed the boom mic, designed costumes, scouted out locations, finetuned the script and brainstormed concepts for filming. Behind the students were their advisors and producers, Ms. Sarah Miller and Mr. Zachary Walker.
To watch In Between the Trees, visit https://www.nctc.org/high-school-play-festival/showcase- overview/, and find Watauga High School listed along the sidebar of the screen. Here you can also view the work of other ensembles of high school actors, creators, musicians and directors who submitted films for NCTC this year.
Written by: Bethany Hicks
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