Two Waukesha South seniors who have been involved in the school's drama department over the last four years will have the opportunity to showcase their skills as student directors.
Guillermo Contreras and Isaiah Reynolds, who are each pursuing theatrical students after graduation, will each direct a one-act play next week. Contreras will lead the play 'In a Room Somewhere' and Reynolds 'La Dispute.'
'La Dispute' and 'In a Room Somewhere' will be performed at 6:30 p.m. May 8 to 10 inside the Waukesha South Auditorium, 401 E. Roberta Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and $6 for seniors. Tickets are available at the door or by calling (262) 278-0030.
Contreras has been a fixture on the South stage, having first performed as an Oompa-Loompa in 'Willy Wonka.' He then took roles as Pony Boy Curtis in 'Outsiders,' Lon in 'Meet Me in St. Louis,' and Jamie Escalante in 'Stand and Deliver.' He has also been nominated this year for a Tommy Award as Judas in 'Godspell' and was a 2013 Tommy Award winner for his role as Paul in 'A Chorus Line.'
Contreras has also participated in University of Wisconsin-Madison's People Program for three summers with an emphasis in theater. Contreras is enrolled at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Playwright Horizon's Studio, where he will pursue training and education in theater and acting.
Like Contreras, Reynolds has consistently been on stage since his freshman year. He was Candy Man in 'Willy Wonka' with additional roles as Bombur in 'The Hobbit,' Seaweed Stubbs in 'Hairspray,' and Angel Guerra in 'Stand and Deliver.' He is also nominated this year for a Tommy Award as Jesus in 'Godspell' and was a 2013 Tommy Award winner for his role as Mike in 'A Chorus Line.'
Reynolds has been a member of Kids from Wisconsin for the past three summers and has recently been a cast member in 'Les Misérable' with The Skylight Musical Theater. He is enrolled at the musical theater program at The Boston Conservatory.
'I am so incredibly proud of these two students,' said Erin Richards, their director and a South drama teacher. 'Both have amazing talent, and I am thrilled that they have made the decision to pursue theater and acting at the university level. It does not surprise me at all that they have each been accepted to the school of their dreams.'