The UC High Theatre Department is set to present Everyone Hates Disco, a new student-written comedy, for three nights, running from February 7 to 9 at the UC High Auditorium.

   Disco is this year’s senior-directed show, written and helmed by Seniors Clayson Shaughnessy and Maggie Prell.

   Shaughnessy said, “I’ve been doing live theater since elementary school, and Maggie and I have always dreamed of writing something to perform together…. Now that we’re finally doing it, it feels like the perfect happy ending to our shared childhood dream.”

   Prell said, “[Shaughnessy and I] talked a lot, made a lore planning document, created a Pinterest board, and had a few long writing sessions where we got to mix jokes from our real life into the script, making it as ‘us’ as it could be.”

   “Everyone Hates Disco is an exciting show, because it’s more comedic and vibrant. It’s really enjoyable getting to see the show come together and the cast having fun on stage,” said Assistant Stage Manager Junior Delaney Churchill.

   The show has allowed the cast to perform without preconception, being the first to take on their respective roles.

   “What I enjoy most about the show is the fact that it’s student written, and has never been performed before. This means I get to choose what my character is for myself, without anyone else’s previous opinions,” said Junior Miles Reinstein, who will be playing the leading role of Matt.

   “I honestly love how the role can be done in several ways. I can make it my own,” said Junior Sage Moreno, who will be playing Olivia.

   The show has brought new challenges and experiences for the cast and crew alike in comparison to their previous show, Sincerely Yours.

   Churchill added, “This show is also challenging because of the sheer amount of light and sound cues. I’m also getting more and more involved in stage management during this show, so it’s challenging but fun.”

   “Along with writing and directing the show, I’m also creating a score for it and voicing a character. Because of this, I’ve had to teach myself how to use Garageband and various audio editing software,” said Shaughnessy.

   Reinstein said, “This show has challenged me because I’m playing a character who is in a relationship. Instead of just focusing on myself, I can decide how my character relates to others.”

   “My experience has been wonderful getting closer with everyone. With Sincerely Yours, I really only got close with my cast, but this show lets me get to know everyone [in the Theatre Department],” said Moreno.

   “We had 30 people audition for this show. That’s more interest than we’ve had for the past four years in any show we’ve put on. We ended up having to cut people for the first time in around three years, and I so wish we didn’t have to because everyone that auditioned was truly hilarious and undeniably talented,” said Shaughnessy.

   “I am most excited to gain a new perspective on the theatrical process through my new responsibilities as writer, assistant director, choreographer, and more of the new hats I got to try on throughout putting it together,” said Prell.

   Everyone Hates Disco will be presented at the UC High Auditorium on February 7 and 9 at 7 p.m. and February 8 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets will cost 7 with an ASB Card and 10 without an ASB Card.