Sci-fi, disco, and the meaning of life in EPHS Drama’s ‘Trajectories’ show, Sept. 7-8

Unique, student-created entertainment awaits theatergoers who attend “Trajectories,” Eden Prairie High School‘s (EPHS) Drama Club’s upcoming variety show.

The annual show will feature three skits and three dances directed, choreographed, and performed entirely by students.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, and Friday, Sept. 8, in the EPHS Auditorium. Tickets are $4 for students and $6 for adults, and can be purchased here.

About the show

“The skits consist of a sci-fi western, a date gone wrong, and a class project about the meaning of life,” said Jay Asfeld, EPHS’ Performing Arts Center manager. “There are dances to a disco medley, Lady Gaga songs, and a Taylor Swift medley.”

More than 30 EPHS students are involved in the production, including incoming freshmen. “I feel like ‘Trajectories’ is a great opportunity for kids to get involved with theater, and since it is a no-cut show we have a place for everyone,” Asfeld said.

Cast member and EPHS senior Elizabeth Stephan added, “We want people to know that ‘Trajectories’ is open to anyone to see, and open to any EPHS student to be part of it. It’s a really great jumping-off point if you’re thinking about getting into theater.”

Stephan first saw “Trajectories” when she was in eighth grade: “It made me fall in love with the theater department and want to do it.”

For “Trajectories” this year, Stephan solo choreographed a dance set to a medley of disco tunes, which include Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” The Bee Gees’ “Night Fever,” and Michael Jackson’s “Blame it on the Boogie.”

Together with three other students, Stephan also choreographed the “girls’ dance,” which is a yearly tradition that will be performed to a Lady Gaga remix.

She said, “I’m feeling really good about the show. I think it’s been the best one so far, and it’s been fun getting to know everyone new.”

Show proceeds to give fall musical a lift

All proceeds from “Trajectories” ticket sales will be used to help fund EPHS Drama’s fall musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” which will take place in November.

“We’re bringing in a company to fly the cast with harnesses, so all the money we get from ‘Trajectories’ is going to go to that,” Stephan said.

Stephan said any students who want to do theater but missed auditioning for this show will have many opportunities to audition for other casts or get involved on the tech side throughout the year.

Auditions for the fall musical will take place Sept. 12 and 13. Interested EPHS students can learn more on EPHS Drama Club’s website and follow them on Instagram.