From a fairy to a fish, or one of King Henry’s wives, it seems as though the actors in the Paso High Theatre Company (PHTC) fit and form into any character. Though some might think it’s costumes and scripts that build character, these student actors reveal their preparation and mindfulness of transforming from an ordinary teenager into a new character.

“For me getting into character is a change in mindset. Meaning your

goals, objectives, emotions, wants, and needs all manifest until they are seemingly becoming real to you,” junior Maxwell Bergvall said, who is in acting three and four. 

Senior Elijiah Jordan is also in acting three and four and is currently the Director of Frozen. He explained the “60/40” rule used by the students to get into character. Jordan expressed that 60% of the character is the actor and 40% is the script. 

“In the end, you say the lines on the page but you are the person interpreting them. Acting is a lot more than just playing a part, it’s defining a role in your own unique way and telling a story through the perspective you’ve developed,” Jordan said. 

When speaking with the actors, some agree that acting is more than playing a role, meaning that each actor provides a different version of the character which becomes important when casting for a play.

“Acting is far more than just a part. There are an infinite number of different ways people act, and how they get into character,” Bergvall said. 

The Stage Manager of the PHTC, Sam Laucella who sits in on auditions and callbacks to help form the cast sees this as well when attempting to choose a specific role for a student. Though Laucella admits he doesn’t know much about acting techniques, he says he focuses on character and entertainment.

“I pay attention to the decision the actor makes for that character and which character choice is most fitting to the role,” Laucella said. 

As Laucella oversees performances, he gets to observe the actors as they transform into their character.

“It’s extremely interesting watching them switch into character. One second they are acting like highschoolers with their friends and the second lights up is called, they are completely switched into character,” Laucella said.

“Acting is absolutely more than just a part, it’s an experience. I have learned so much from theater and the characters I’ve  played. Once I’m done playing a role I feel I have added another element to my repertoire,” senior Elizebeth Higgins said, who is in her fourth year of theater.