Unstable Connections
at Loudoun Valley High School

Reviewed on December 19, 2020

Laura Jayne
Washington-Liberty High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

This past year, we have all spent many hours on Zoom, but could you imagine spending an eternity? If not, then you ought to "Come on dooooown" and watch Loudoun Valley High School's production of Unstable Connections. The script was entirely student-created and embraced all the challenges of performing in a virtual environment. Loudoun Valley students designed an immersive experience that compared Purgatory to a Zoom call. In it, an unlikely band of the recently deceased were forced to undergo a series of moral tests imposed by supernatural beings that determined their fates. By the end of the first thirty minutes, the actors, techies, and editors delivered a truly beautiful performance with a perfect balance of drama and humor.

A striking series of images designed by Lilly Swann, Kenny Bills, and V. Cam Reyes precedes the characters. A bowl of soup, broken beaker, and guitar form an unexpected combination, but they actually show the causes of death for each in the ensemble of souls. While not being named, each soul is unique and relatable. Like the images, they are also strikingly different from each other. Before the feuding frenemies, inquisitive engineer, and Starbucks lover, however, there is #1. Claire Trochlil's performance evokes both curiosity and sympathy for #1 who is a long-time participant in the Zoom room. She beautifully embodied the strong-minded yet vulnerable de facto leader of the group, who was extremely compelling.

The inclusion of additional characters facilitated deeper understanding of the ensemble members. Chloe Anderson's jovial Janus and her sassy assistants were extremely charming and their energy filled the cyberspace. Additionally, Declan Wood gave a chilling performance as The Salesman. His charming appearance and commanding tone sent shivers through the screen.

Editing and sound design for this production were very impressive. Transitioning to virtual theatre would be challenging for even the most experienced actors. Nevertheless, these students explored every possibility at their disposal which made for an even more compelling story. Under the laudable tech direction of Des Sequeira, the actors and techies expertly designed the lights, props, and costumes despite the distance. The team of editors (Des Sequeira, James Laybourne, Trevor Nyberg, Dylan Steigerwald, and Angel Vasquez) arranged the footage, designed animations, and superimposed various virtual meeting elements to create a true supernatural Zoom meeting. The Editors also chose to cut between screens of one, two, and three or more boxes to direct the viewer's attention and build personalized connections with each character. The performance's sound added another dimension to the story. Sequeira and Vasquez designed a score that was both bouncy at times like the game show theme and spine-tingling at times like the piercing screech. These melodies in combination with Zoom sound effects immerse the audience into the story.

This carefully crafted performance was inspired by the fact that there are things that are uncontrollable but still need to be accepted. During these times of struggle, it's easy to get upset instead of giving thanks for what we have. Loudoun Valley's Unstable Connections reminded its audience to recognize and give gratitude for what they can control and to always take the silverware out of the soup before microwaving it.

Lucy Martin
Washington-Liberty High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Welcome to Purgatory! Well, Zoom Purgatory, that is.

Unstable Connections, written and performed by Loudoun Valley High School students, follows the story of seven people who find themselves trapped in the in-between following their deaths. As they learn more about themselves, each other, and their strange new circumstances, the audience is taken on a hilarious and emotional journey.

The stand-out production didn't treat this new virtual setting as an obstacle to get over. Instead, the cast and crew embraced the Zoom platform, adding a creative and exciting new element not previously found in the theatre world. In one scene, Janus (Chloe Anderson), Assistant #1 (Dylan Steigerwald), and Assistant #2 (Bridget McNally) delivered playful and energetic performances that are heightened by the crew's masterful editing. The editing team, lead by Des Sequeira, added colorful graphics and sound effects, including a game show wheel, to this fun game show-style scene. Sequeira also composed original music for the production which helped immerse the audience in this unique theatrical experience.

Claire Trochlil gave a knock-out performance as Number One. From the start, the audience learned that she has been trapped in this Zoom Purgatory a lot longer than everyone else as she waits for her love to crossover. Trochlil's portrayal of this character was authentic and true to her painful circumstances. She was witty, genuine, and tormented, and the audience couldn't help but feel for her every second of the show.

And it would be impossible to review this production without mentioning the fantastic chemistry between Claire Trochlil and Declan Wood, who played The Salesman. Wood brought unmatched charisma to the role, a performance that was reminiscent of a 1950s car salesman. His commanding stage presence and fantastic comedic timing made him an incredibly watchable and likeable actor. As he gave all seven people a chance to make a wish for something, the audience could tell he and Number One had a complicated history. The two bantered and made jabs at each other back and forth. It was clear that The Salesman struck a chord in Number One when he asked if she wanted tulips, flowers that reminded her of her lover. Trochlil's acting in this moment was something truly special. Her clear moments of discovery and vulnerability left audience members hanging onto every word.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the show was the fact that it was fully student-written. The full cast and crew devised a script that all of us can relate to as 2020 draws to a close. Sitting in Zoom meetings for hours on end can feel like a Purgatory, making us feel disconnected from the people and things we love. As the seven people struggled to come to terms with their new reality, they found solace in knowing that they weren't alone, just like many of us have this year. This impactful message is something we are all in need of right now, and Loudoun Valley delivered it with grace and charm. So while we may find ourselves staring at the Leave Meeting button daily, Unstable Connections reminded us that we don't have to fight our battles by ourselves.

Caitlin Sullivan
James Madison High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

In a time of seemingly non-stop Zoom calls and technical difficulties, Loudoun Valley had a creative approach to our new virtual lives; Purgatory is now on Zoom.

Unstable Connections imagined the Purgatory of Zoom, where each of the seven dead must pass a series of trials, conducted by the Monitor, to determine the morality of their souls. Minor characters attempt to help or harm the seven as they progress through the trials. As the story progresses, we learn more about each character and they all go from blank boxes on a Zoom screen to fully realized characters with interesting previous lives and relationships.

Unstable Connections not only imagined Zoom in a new way, the Loudoun Valley team also took a non-traditional approach to scriptwriting; the team wrote the script together. The product was a contemporary show that felt at home in our current time, where the universe feels unexpected. The flamboyance of the minor characters and their interactions with the main cast, in combination with the technical elements, created a fun multisensory experience that felt polished and intentional from start to finish.

The onstage chemistry between character foils Number 2 (Francesca Fiorello) and Number 3 (Keira Anderson) was hilarious to watch, as the banter continued to rise even while one of them was muted. Each of the seven leads felt distinct and fit into an archetype fairly well, helping to distinguish as well as humanize these seven characters without a name. Claire Trochlil (Number 1) played a dark lover who became the sarcastic guide through Purgatory for the rest of the leading cast. Their chemistry with the Salesman (played by Declan Wood) was telling of Number 1's time in Purgatory and why she has chosen not to leave.

Declan Wood was sleazy and captivating to watch as the Salesman. He brought energy into the virtual stage and added mystery to the point system. His character also allowed the main cast to grow in exciting new ways. The performance of Delaney Herr as the Ghost was bone-chilling. Her presence felt distant and saddening and her lines were some of the most important to the theme and mystery of the show. Her final line onstage, "Goodbye", was a beautiful moment of loneliness played by Herr.

The sound design by Angel Vasquez and the technical direction of Des Sequeira added depth to this virtual show. The lighting on many of the characters helped add to the characterization of the main cast. All the technical elements, as simple as they seemed, added to the show and created an engaging and immersive experience. It seemed designing a show for a virtual setting paid off for this team.

Unstable Connections was a humorous jaunt through Purgatory that mirrored our current virtual existence that tells a beautiful story of accepting the unexpected things the universe throws your way and making the most of your situation.

Alex Beach
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Perhaps life's most overwhelming and unfathomable mystery is "what happens after we die?" Loudoun Valley High School's students took a comedic approach to answering this question in their student-written and produced short film, Unstable Connections. Inspired by student's experiences in quarantine, this film told the story of seven strangers who found themselves in a "Zoom Purgatory" after their deaths. They went through a series of tests, conducted by the faceless Moderator (Will McCann), to determine their eternal resting places. Along their journey, the seven came into contact with various characters, including a ghost, a genie, and a salesman, who made bargains that, unbeknownst to the dead, will determine their fate.

Unstable Connections showcased a variety of incredibly talented students, both in the acting and technical fields. In the opening sequence, a series of featured artwork, created by students Lilly Swann, Kenny Bills, and V. Cam Reyes, was underscored by a beautiful piece of music composed by Des Sequeira. Viewers later come to realize that each piece of artwork alludes to the cause of death of each of the seven humans, setting the stage for what is to come and adding layers of complexity to the storyline that exceed that of a typical high school production.

All seven actors who played the dead did an outstanding job of creating unique, memorable characters, despite the fact they were distinguished only by number. Claire Trochlil, playing #1, a figure who had been trapped in Zoom Purgatory awaiting the arrival of her significant other, brought vulnerability and commitment to her performance, allowing for viewers to form a strong connection. Francesca Fiorello as #2 and Keira Anderson as #3, who played polar opposites, demonstrated remarkable presence, chemistry, and comedic timing even over a virtual platform. Other standout performances came from Declan Wood in the role of The Salesman and Delaney Herr as The Ghost. Although Wood's character required a flashy smile plastered to his face, his ability to convey his character's true intentions was not hindered in the slightest. His comfortability within his role revealed subtleties that made his performance more realistic and well-rounded. Herr's characterization gave the entire production an ominous and urgent tone as she pleaded with the humans to avoid falling for the Moderator's tricks.

This performance would not have been complete without the amazing technical contributions and post-production finishes. The costume and lighting designers (Delaney Herr, Cameron Roberts, Alex Chinn, and V. Cam Reyes) worked with actors to produce lighting effects and select costumes that enhanced particular attributes of characters. Most notable was the blue-toned under-lighting for the scene with The Ghost, which helped to create an eerie and ghastly effect. Sound designer Angel Vasquez's attention to detail was exceptional, creating a comedic and immersive experience by including effects such as the bleeping of curse words and a static effect when the dead attempted to exit the Zoom call. All in all, each technical element was well thought out and cleanly produced, making for an incredible viewing experience.

In only a half hour, Loudoun Valley High School was able to engross viewers in a fun, compelling plotline complemented by energetic actors and a committed tech crew. The overarching themes of human selfishness and consequences presented throughout the film made it a complex, yet lighthearted and unforgettable quarantine tale.

Miranda Simpson
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

"The universe will never give you what you expect", and Loudoun Valley High School's fabulous production of Unstable Connections was an unexpected delight! Filled to the brim with jokes that perfectly captured the struggles of today, and a unique, hilarious storyline, this performance was unforgettable.

Unstable Connections, a show completely written by the students, was inspired by their acceptance of today's digital world. This ultimately lead to the idea of a zoom call that doubled as purgatory. The show focused on 7 stereotypical characters that have all died and ended up in a zoom call purgatory. Their goal is to escape through a series of trials, but can they manage to work together to escape?

Claire Trochlil did an outstanding job portraying the experienced and tormented Actor #1. Throughout the show, she perfectly displayed the character's witty tone, weariness towards the others, and vulnerability towards her ex-lover with grace and passion. As the audience watched the character's subtle change of opinion as she made deals with The Salesman, Claire's captivating facial expressions made it impossible to turn away.

Francesca Fiorello, playing Actor #2, was hilarious in her hatred of Actor #3 and clear disgust with the situation at hand. Her sarcasm and humorous delivery of jokes created a hysterical dynamic throughout the performance. A perfect contrast to Francesca's pessimistic attitude was the uproarious high-spirited Keira Anderson, performing as Actor #3. Keira not only stole the show with her sappy positivity, but she stayed just as animated and engaging even with a muted microphone.

Adding a melancholy element to the lighthearted performance was the dreary Delaney Herr, playing the Ghost. Delaney added an eerie, sorrowful edge and as she gave out wise wisdom to the zoom call, the pain of being stuck in the purgatory unnoticed showed in her face. This provided stupendous chemistry as she talked with Actor #7 about how it felt to be invisible.

The fabulous acting was enhanced by the excellent technical aspects. The light designers, Delaney Herr, Cameron Roberts, Alex Chinn, and V. Cam Reyes, chose lighting designs that highlighted each character and their distinct personality. The ghost's blue lighting provided the dismal feel to her woeful performance. The lighting also further characterized the actors, portrayed for example with the feuding Actors #2 and #3's opposite lighting, #2's anger being displayed as a soft red, and #3's being a peaceful light green. The editors, Des Sequeira, James Laybourne, Trevor Nyberg, Dylan Steigerwald, and Angel Vasquez created fantastic visual effects. The clever spinning of the wheel in the genie scene, the point system on each individual's screen, the chat effect, and the comical black box every time someone cursed all greatly added to the humorous and engaging performance, keeping the audience hooked.

The cast and crew of Unstable Connections embraced the challenges of a virtual show and made it into an unforgettable performance. From the incorporation of a zoom call into a purgatory setting to jokes about virtual calls that are all too relatable to life today, Loudoun Valley High School knocked it out of the park with their performance of Unstable Connections, providing an irresistible comedy that pokes fun at the times we live in combined with a brand-new story of genies, ghosts and more.