Director's Note

When I first encountered this play, I was drawn to its strange, unsettling world and the questions it leaves behind. What happens when we can’t trust what we see? What do we do when the truth feels impossible to believe? And how many high school students does it take to put on a show without someone asking, “Wait, what are we doing?” (The answer is apparently more than we have.)

TRAP challenges us to question what we’re watching, pay attention to the details, and maybe even doubt our own assumptions. So, as you watch, I encourage you to keep an open mind, embrace the weirdness, and resist the urge to figure everything out too quickly. If you do figure it out, please keep it to yourself. Some of us are still trying to understand what’s happening.

Bringing this show to life with a group of high school students has been an incredible experience. This production has required creativity, collaboration, patience, and a willingness to take risks. It has also required a remarkable ability to hear the same line delivered approximately 47 times and still pretend it’s the first time. Directing is a lot like solving a puzzle, except sometimes the puzzle pieces are teenagers, the instructions are unclear, and someone has misplaced the actual puzzle.

In all seriousness, I am incredibly proud of this cast and crew. They have thrown themselves into this strange, unpredictable story with imagination, commitment, and a willingness to take creative risks. Their hard work has helped turn a wonderfully bizarre script into something we are excited to share with you. Any gray hairs I may have acquired along the way are simply a testament to the artistic process.

Thank you to our cast and crew for their dedication, our families and teachers for their support, and everyone who helped make this production possible. Cast, thank you for bringing these characters to life and for embracing all the twists, turns, and downright bizarre moments this play throws your way. You have tackled challenging material, worked through difficult scenes, and found ways to make this story feel real, even when nothing about it feels normal. Your willingness to be vulnerable, experiment, and trust one another has made this production what it is. I hope you are proud of the work you have done, because you absolutely should be. And thank you to you, our audience, for being here. You are now officially part of the experience, so congratulations on that decision.

As you watch TRAP, remember that things are not always what they seem. Question everything, trust no one (including me), and enjoy the show. If you leave with more questions than answers, don't worry. That's either the point of the play or a sign that we all need to sit down and talk about it afterward.

Either way, we promise we planned it that way.

Can I tell you a secret?

Mr. Noah Pligge