Whitman Drama presented this year’s Talent Show, “A World As One,” on April 23-25 in the school auditorium. The production ran for approximately two hours, featuring student bands covering classic songs and other group performances, including dances and comedy skits.

Whitman Drama typically stages productions that are relevant to current events. Senior Sophie Bester, who was the lead singer in “Kiss Me” and bass guitarist in several other acts, said this year’s show reflects the importance of staying connected to the world for Whitman students.

“The whole theme of the show is choosing peace over violence,” Bester said. “So we started the show with ‘Civil War’ by Guns N’ Roses and ended it with ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.” 

Vintage and well-known tracks, such as “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Walking on Sunshine,” made up most of the setlist. The set design evoked a 1960s hippie style, with bright colors, floral patterns and peace signs. 

While mostly student-directed bands and actors performed, the show also featured Whitman Drumline and Whitman Poms. Music director and junior Kenzie Mace played in Drumline and several of the bands. Mace said there were complications when preparing for the production: threats of violence from April 17 led to the cancellation of one of their last rehearsals. 

“We were already on such a tight schedule,” Mace said. “But it motivated us to work harder; to be more connected as a community.”

Because of numerous snow days and a longer-running winter musical, there was limited time to rehearse and build the set this year: only three weeks rather than the usual month and a half. Tulip Kaya, student director and senior performer, said there was heightened pressure for everyone involved.

For upperclassmen, running the show meant relying on experience from participation in previous productions. Kaya said that as student director, she assumed responsibility for every performer and tech member and also oversaw their success.

“Being director of this show has meant the absolute world to me,” Kaya said. “I grew up in this program, so seeing the underclassmen take each other in and thrive together is indescribable.”