Milpitas HS student-actors set to take the stage in Fall Play

Milpitas HS student-actors go through a dress rehearsal Nov. 19.

Twenty student actors, one student stage manager and a three-student stage crew make up the cast and crew for Milpitas High School Theater Department’s latest production entitled, “The Madwoman of Chaillot,” a play written by Jean Giraudoux in 1943.

MHS senior Megan Hutchison stars as the title character in director Kaila J. Schwartz’s rendition of the poetic satire set during the Nazi occupation of France. However, the MHS version takes place in Year 2025, and Schwartz noted the play has strong undertones of corporate greed and environmental blindness. 

“It’s definitely rich with commentary,” said Schwartz. “I’m seeing a lot of growth (from our student actors). Many of the play’s messages seem to resonate with them rather strongly.”

Three performances, all beginning at 7 p.m., are set for this Thursday, November 21-23 at the MHS Theater on the 1285 Escuela Parkway campus. Advance tickets can be purchased in person (from any cast member) for $10; $11.25 online at our.show/mhs/chaillot; or $12 at the door.

“It’s coming along quite well,” said MHS senior Kat Templeton, the play’s lighting designer.

Students have been rehearsing over the last six-to-seven weeks, since open auditions took place in early September, according to Schwartz.

“Our kids are so very committed,” said Schwartz, noting that a majority of the cast members incorporated elements of garbage in their costumes to go along with the environmental theme.
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Schwartz designed the set based on an actual cafe in Paris. Brian Knitter, a social studies teacher, did the set construction.

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Milpitas HS student-actors go through a dress rehearsal for their Fall Play, which opens Thursday, November 21 inside the MHS Theater.