Post Falls High School presents 'Spark'

For their October production, Post Falls High School students are tackling a dystopian story centered on themes of technology, surveillance and freedom. The production is “Spark,” written by Tom Arvetis and directed by Jared McDougall.

“It’s rare that we get sci-fi plays,” McDougall said. “It’s different from our usual historical or modern plays.”

The plot is a dystopian retelling of the myth of Pandora, centering on a curious girl named Pan who lives in a technologically advanced society called Sanctuary. The leader, Amin, rules with an iron fist in the name of safety and security. Pan betrays the status quo when she begins to question whether the “Outliers” who live outside Sanctuary are truly evil, as everyone believes.

“She’s very curious and she wants to understand things about Sanctuary,” said student Kelsea Garner, who plays Pan. “She kind of follows her heart over logic.”

Students auditioned for the play during the first week of school and began rehearsing soon after. They examined the text with McDougall to understand what this dystopian world looks like and how characters interact within it.

“Mr. McDougall definitely makes it lots of fun,” Garner said. “He makes it easy to understand things.”

Every play must have its antagonist, and junior Willow Bryan is excited to rise to the challenge in her role as Amin.

“Amin is a very authoritative character, he has very strict values and I enjoy exploring his background,” Bryan said. “He uses his authority quietly, he doesn’t need physical power to command people.”

Bryan said she is drawn to portraying villainous characters and enjoys the opportunity to explore the motivations and background behind her character. She is excited for audiences to perceive the play’s underlying message.

“It’s hopefully deterring people away from living in a dictatorship society,” Bryan said. “finding their voices, and breaking free from the norm.”

McDougall said he chose the play because it raises questions about the role of technology in people’s lives and the place of books and paper in a technologically advanced world.

“I chose this play because a lot of the messages in it are very relevant,” McDougall said.

Post Falls High School’s production of “Spark” has a cast of 13 and a backstage crew of about 35. The show will take place in the school auditorium.

Showtimes are Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Tickets will be available for cash only at the door.

    Willow Bryan addresses fellow cast members as Amin in a scene from "Spark," rehearsed at the Post Falls High School auditorium.