In the quiet of a black box theater, the lights hum softly. Then, with a flick of a switch, snow starts to fall, and a small town called Almost, Maine comes to life on stage. The audience forgets that they are in a high school and feels like they’re actually under the glow of magical northern lights. Unbeknownst to the audience, months of hard work and teamwork from students who wanted to create something special lies behind this neat scene. 

This year, Lamar’s fall play “Almost, Maine”, written by John Cariani, isn’t simply just any show — it’s a labor of love. The play features nine unique scenes about the different sides of love: the joy of falling for someone, the pain of losing a person, unrequited yearning – all resonating with reality. In a world that can feel overwhelming, the play celebrates simple moments between people, and it’s perfect for the young actors who bring true emotion to every moment on stage.  “There is this scene where a shoe is dropped from the ceiling and it’s just very unexpected just like how these love stories are very unexpected,” shared sophomore Sofi Mollet. “It’s very comedic and overall random.” 

Unlike full-scale productions with enormous stages and fancy sets, this show takes place in Lamar’s school’s black box theater. This small space pushes the technical crew to think creatively — every part of the room needs to be used wisely, and measurements for everything needed to be taken into consideration. The cast and crew learned that in a small space, every sound, movement, and feeling counts. Turning the black box into the snowy town of Almost Maine took weeks of hard work. “’Almost, Maine’ seemed like an interesting show with a very complex set that’s constantly changing, so as a technician it felt like a challenge that I was up to do,” said junior Andreas Hansen. The tech crew built simple but beautiful sets, including snowy benches and a cozy cabin. The company even had a live orchestra playing music to add a magical feeling of a winter wonderland. 

Working in such a small space also helps the performers connect closely with the audience. There’s no distance between them. The theatregoers can see every tear, smile, and nervous look. This closeness makes the experience powerful for everyone. The actors aren’t only performing — they’re sharing real feelings. 

However, the real magic of the play is in the people. The cast and crew spent many afternoons and late nights rehearsing, adjusting lights, building props, and learning lines. There were amusing moments when things went right and frustrating moments when they didn’t. “There was always something going wrong during rehearsals. One day we’d nail it, the next we’d mess it up completely. But somehow, on opening night, when I expected the worst, it all came together perfectly,” said senior Naz Demir. 

Balancing the hilarious and emotional parts of “Almost, Maine” was a formidable challenge. Funny moments arose such as when Jimmy, played by junior Brandon Wade, got a misspelled tattoo that said “villian” instead of “villain”. On the other hand, there were bittersweet situations such as when Glory, played by senior Naz Demir, was saying goodbye to her deceased ex-husband while also falling in love with junior Tristian Murphy, East. While creating an appropriate atmosphere for each scene, the students learned that acting isn’t merely pretending; it’s about connecting with others. 

 Behind the scenes, the work never stops. The tech crew adjusts the lights, the costume team handles quick changes, and stage managers keep everything running smoothly. “Being a stage manager is difficult and very time consuming, but I enjoy it because I love being in charge,” explained junior Madeleine Nguyen. “Making things run smoothly and overall helping people is what truly brings me joy.” 

As the opening night approached, the black box was filled with excitement. The students had put their hearts into every detail, from the timing of a line to the placement of a prop. What started as an empty room and a stack of scripts turned into something warm and meaningful. “Opening night was terrifying. My scene opened act two, and at first the audience seemed so quiet, I was really nervous. But once I got on stage, they started laughing like crazy, and it made me so proud,” said senior Osaze Murphy. 

In the end, “Almost, Maine” shows that you don’t need a sizeable stage or an intricate set to create something sensational. All you need is heart, hard work, and people who believe in each other. Under the soft lights and falling snow, this high school cast proves that even in small spaces, the biggest stories and the strongest love can shine the brightest.