“EveryOne” play written by students, performed by classmates

The well-known play “Everyman” was used as a skeleton for Hahnville High School's latest performance, "EveryOne."

The classic late 15th-century English morality play "Everyman" presents a person called Everyman who makes the journey to his grave and encounters different people and situations along the way.

"Each time Everyman went on a journey to find someone to come with him to his grave, we would break out into a play that the students had written," said HHS Drama instructor Daniel Ruiz.

Each student in the drama program had to write their own play and the students voted on the best eight and used them for the performance.

The students' plays chosen were "Flight 213" by Dillon Tauzin, "The Loan Shark" by the 2B drama class, "Sick of Second Chances" by Jodie Dantin, "The Goods" by Kaylin Parker, "Karma, Inc." by Ellen Suss, "Confession" by Angelle Dufrene, "Down the Aisle" by Candice LaRosee and "The Last Laugh" by Courtney Bergeron.

Jody Dantin, an 11th grade student and author of "Sick of Second Chances," said that she has written plays before but that none of them have been taken as seriously.

"Just the idea that the play we put on was adapted and written by students and the kids we go to school with was something new to experience," Dantin said. "It was more realistic because it was in our own words."

Ruiz chose this play to teach more environmentally-friendly theater practices.

"I wanted to teach them a component this year on green and sustainable theater practices," he said. "‘Everyman' has the message that…the only thing you can take with you to the grave is the good you do for others.

"We spent no more than $20 on the whole set.”

Tyren Hills, a 10th grade student, performed in the play.

"At first it was confusing because the script was so big," Hills said. "But once you got into it…it just came together so well.”