Hollywood’s biggest night delivered a blend of well earned triumphs and historic moments at this year’s Oscars. Michael B. Jordan, known for his commanding performances in films like Creed and Black Panther, finally took home his first Oscar for Best Actor in Sinners , a long awaited recognition that drew a standing ovation from the audience. Jordan’s acceptance speech was heartfelt, reflecting on years of hard work and the importance of representation in film. Sean Penn also made headlines for winning Best Supporting Actor, but was not in attendance, so former Oscar winner Kieran Culkin accepted the award on his behalf. Amy Madigan claimed the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in Weapons. Madigan delivered a moving speech as she thanked her castmates and reflected on the challenging role that brought her renewed acclaim. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley was awarded Best Actress for her mesmerizing portrayal in Hamnet. Buckley’s performance drew widespread praise from critics and audiences alike, and her win was met with a standing ovation. In her acceptance, Buckley spoke passionately about the importance of storytelling and how the role had changed her as an artist. A slight upset for the night was Marty Supreme not winning any of the nine nominations, which many believe is because of Timothee Chalamet's recent controversial statement: “I don't want to work in ballet or opera, or things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive,' even though it's like, no one cares about this anymore.” While the Academy celebrated new winners and memorable moments, the shutout of Marty Supreme and the Chalamet controversy ensured this year’s Oscars will be remembered for both its triumphs and its tensions.

By Faith Parisi

Last week, Olivia Abrams and I had the opportunity to attend the auditions for Dear Evan Hansen and witness the vibrant process behind the theater department. Originally, the musical was set to be "Pippin," the tale of Emperor Charlemagne's son, but a last-minute change led to the selection of Dear Evan Hansen. This moving musical follows Evan Hansen, a teenager struggling with severe social anxiety who writes letters to himself as a form of therapy, especially when life becomes overwhelming. Auditions began with each participant performing a 60- to 90-second excerpt of a song to showcase their vocal talents. Those with sheet music were accompanied by Mrs. Cowette on piano. The room was alive with extraordinary voices and impressive talent, as students sang selections from musicals like Waitress, Rent, and many others. After the singing portion, some auditioners practiced their dance routines in the band room, while others performed 30- to 60-second monologues to display their acting skills. Throughout the process, the atmosphere was incredibly supportive, with everyone cheering each other on and lending a hand when needed. The excitement was contagious, and the energy in the room couldn’t have been more positive. 

By Faith Parisi

The four senior one acts featured a diverse range of stories and performances. Cabin Thoughts, written by Holly Kennen and Maddie Short, centers on eight girls attending summer camp, each grappling with their own personal challenges. Unplugged by Shaun Wicks is a lively comedy about a town obsessed with its phones and the quest of three friends, Adam, played by Daniel Devine, Lucas, played by Oliver Conley, and Ellie, played by Olivia O’Connor, to restore the town’s power. The sharp comedic writing kept the audience laughing throughout. There Is No Ruler, by Liz McCormack, transports viewers to an ancient continent divided into three alliances, and follows a girl’s quest to find a mythical flower that can cure any illness. Jon Is Alone, written by Gavin Johnson and directed by Jordon Foor, explores a hilarious, "what if?" Scenario: what would happen if Garfield and Odie died, leaving Jon all alone? The show stood out for its humor and featured standout performances from Maxwell Negron as Jon and Lydia Barrett as Liz, Jon’s girlfriend. Overall, this year’s senior one acts demonstrated both creativity and talent, offering audiences an entertaining evening that celebrated the unique voices and skills of Concord High’s senior class.

By Faith Parisi

Senior one acts are when seniors in the performing arts decide they want to put on a show. This year, all six seniors wrote their own plays. I saw, There Are Aliens At Camp Little Pine by Onyx Swanson, Element 119 by Gavin Johnson and Elderly On Board by Sarah Malette. Onyx’s play is about a camp counselor who’s little sister used to go to camp little pine, but something suspicious

happen to her and was not allowed to return until one day, when her parents make her then the campers want to know what happens but the counselor quickly shuts them down trying to protect her sister from the events that occurred. Next was Gavin Johnson’s play. His was a romantic comedy about a new element that landed on earth. The townspeople called it the love potion because it would cause people to fall in love. the story is about how an entire town gets infected with this love drug and how two people try to stop the curse. Sarah Malettes’s play Elderly On Board is about a old women who is celebrating her 70th birthday with her friends, she is not happy with this because she wants to sit on her couch and eat chips all day, but when her best friend convinces her to go out she realizes maybe it isn’t so bad to have fun. These acts were super funny and moving, I loved watching the actors perform and cannot wait for next years acts, thank you to all the seniors who put on a show.

By Livy Abrams