Underdog Theatre’s ‘Second Chances’ Visits Life on Mars

MEET THE CAST

Shitra — Brooke De Tie

Dr. Mazz — Nick Adams

Shuku — Stevie Miles

Tonewick — J Herold

Mockna — Lilah Cross

Friend 1 — Lucy Stambaugh

Friend 2 — Andrew Rivera

Ensemble — Devin Ruse and Jay Crider

MEET THE CREW

Directors — Sean Wood and Clay Howard

Stage Manager — Trevor Greenlee

Lighting Technician — Kenzie Wood

Sound Technician — Max Midkiff

Makeup — Olivia Talevski and Sage Wilson

Hair —  Maddux Morrison

Costumes — Addie McMillan

Promoters — Parker Wood and Hannah Ropte

House Staff — Olivia Talevski

When local playwright Clay Howard wrote “Second Chances,” he wanted the play to be “hauntingly familiar.”

The 2022 Noblesville High School graduate said, “As a writer, you want to move people, oftentimes without them realizing they’re being taught a lesson.”

Such as when the audience is watching his latest play, “Second Chances,” on stage at 7 p.m. today (Friday) and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday in Celebration Hall at Noblesville First United Methodist Church.

Howard described the play, which follows Shitra (played by Brooke De Tie), a powerful and religious woman as her planet, what we now know as Mars, is slowly being destroyed. Shitra faces her twin brother and chief of the people, Shuku (Stevie Miles), in an effort to prevent the inevitable. Along the way, Shitra deals with betrayal from those she loves, causing her to question who is on her side. The evil Dr. Mazz (played by Nick Adams) is the main antagonist, or “bad guy” in the play. Six more characters round out the cast, Tonewic, played by J Herold; Mockna, played by Lilah Cross; Friends 1 and 2, played by Lucy Stambaugh and Andrew Rivera; and ensemble, played by Devin Ruse and Jay Crider.

Howard said, “Life on Mars is eerily similar to life on Earth. The leaders of Mars have made grave mistakes that led to the planet being in the condition it is in the show. While Earth isn’t quite to the point of no return, I believe there is a lot we need to do to preserve our planet.”

He said, “It is my hope that the audience will see the same similarities of Mars’ culture to Earth’s and feel motivated to take action. Having written some deep and often dark material, I wanted ‘Second Chances’ to have a lighter tone to it, walking the line between entertaining and informative. I believe this show does that, and I hope the audience will agree.”

The play is co-directed by Howard and NHS junior and drama student Sean Wood (who played the role of Roxie in NHS’s 2922 fall musical, “Chicago: Teen Edition.”)

Want TO GO?

What: The Underdog Theatre presents “Second Chances,” an original play written and co-directed by Clay Howard, a 2022 Noblesville High School graduate, and featuring NHS students.

When: 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Noblesville First United Methodist Church in Celebration Hall, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville.

How much: $10 at the door.

Info: www.underdogtheatre.org

Underdog Theatre was founded in 2015 by Rylan Deer — a 2016 NHS grad who participated in NHS Thespians drama club, National Honor Society and NHS orchestra — and who started the theater as a student project at NHS.

Howard got involved with Underdog Theatre his freshman year. “A friend of mine encouraged me to audition for a show, ‘She Kills Monsters,’ and from there I stayed involved, and eventually was given the role of director in 2020,” Howard has said.

Underdog Theatre is a community theater for local high school and college-age students. “We strive to create an environment for young and inexperienced actors, giving them a chance they won’t find elsewhere,” Howard has said, quoting Underdog’s website. Underdog also gives experienced actors the chance to break their typecast. Since its formation, Underdog has passed down its directorship, giving students the chance to perform a variety of roles.

Underdog Theatre usually meets after school and is planned around students’ busy NHS choir and theater schedules.

Auditions took place March 25 with the first read-thru the following day, then after the two-week Noblesville Schools’ spring break, rehearsals began in mid-April after school and two Saturdays at Green Valley Church of Christ in Noblesville, with this week the cast and crew moving into Noblesville First UMC for tech rehearsals (lights and sound) and dress rehearsals (with hair and makeup). Performances will take place in First UMC’s large and beautiful Celebration Hall.

The cast and crew feature several returning actors and crew as well as some newcomers, Howard said.

Most of the theater’s actors have only been in one or two productions or have only ever been given ensemble roles in school or other productions, he said.

That’s why the theater is called the “Underdog Theatre.” Howard has said, “It’s very important to me that Underdog gives the ‘underdog’ a chance as it did for me back in high school.”

The crew features NHS students, Trevor Greenlee, stage manager; Kenzie Wood, lighting technician; Max Midkiff, sound technician; Olivia Talevski and Sage WIlson, makeup artists; Hair, Maddux Morrison; costumes, Addie McMillan; promoters, Parker Wood and Hannah Ropte; and house staff, NHS grad Olivia Talevski.

“Second Chances” is among 10 to 15 plays that Howard has written, each varying from 10-minute plays to one- and two-act plays.

“I won’t say I’m a great writer, but I do believe I have a lot of important things to say,” Howard has said. …I have a lot of concepts that challenge what is right and wrong.”

Howard once told me: “I know my stories won’t appeal to everyone, but if I can make someone challenge their preconceived ideas or even just think, then I feel like I have made a difference.”

Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.underdogtheatre.org

– Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact her at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.