On Thursday, Oct. 12, the fall play, “Ashland Falls,” premiered at the La Quinta High theatre. “Ashland Falls” is set up as a play within a play. 

The first act is about how utterly unprepared they all are and the drama breaking out between them. The second act, however, shows their play being done properly during dress rehearsal, but something is not quite right…

Bella Alonso (11) played both Emily, the actor who is constantly late and always forgetting her lines, as well as Emily’s character, Elizabeth, a self-absorbed, young, rich girl. Julia Castro (12) played Heather, the violent vengeful actor, as well as Leah, the character who wants revenge for her sister’s death. Charlie Cochran (11) played Tony, the sarcastic jerk, as well as Garrick, the evil henchman.

Zoe Hammons (12) played the new director from the town that the play is based on. Trinity Johnson (11) played as Ava, the method actor, and Eleanor, the mother of Ashley, who was locked away for being insane. Rafael Rodriguez (10) played Aiden, the boyfriend of Carrie (played by Celeste Cruz (11) who cheated on her with the narcissistic popular girl, Savannah (played by Keyvonna Dahl (11). These characters played Dalton, Carrie, and Kaelyn (played by Dahl) who had a similar love/hate triangle. Kayla Huynh (11) played Lydia, a friend of Carrie, and Vala, a sister of the girl who died and later became a maid for a rich family.

Matt Winbourne played Gavin, the lovable goofball, and Wynter, the friend of Dalton who only seems to care about himself. Victoria Montes (12) played Morgan, a student just there for her grade, and Nara, a rich mother who cares nothing for those outside her family. Kaitlyn Stewart (11) played Alyssa, a goodie-two-shoes actress, and Liza, a witch. Amanda Wilkerson (12) played Payton, a constantly late air-head, and Tawny, the dim-witted friend of Nara Worthington.

The play was full of hilarious moments and memorable lines: “I wish you would have ripped your face!” “I’m sorry I pushed you.” “And I’m sorry I stole your boyfriend.”

Winbourn said that the second act was the hardest to learn, but was also his favorite as he had to act proper and mature, which was completely different from the first act. Johnson remarked, “The two acts are polar opposites.”