Emotional play presents challenges to young actors

HARLINGEN — The author of “Side Man” has populated his play with struggles people can relate to very well.

The frustrations of Clifford, played by James Gracia, show very clearly in his intense facial expressions.

“A lot of the scenes are emotionally challenging,” said James, 18, a senior at Harlingen High School South.

He and his fellow actors will demonstrate their dramatic prowess Saturday at an area competition in Zapata. They qualified March 20 in the One-Act Play Bi-District Contest to compete at the area event.

“I’m very honored and excited,” James said. “We have been working for the past couple of months. We’ve come a long way and had a lot of growth.”

“Side Man” by Warren Leight begins in the 1950s and tells the story of a family over the course of 35 years. Gene, Clifford’s father, is a struggling jazz trumpeter and his wife Terry is an alcoholic.

“It’s actually a deeply personal memory play,” said director Maegan Conley. “The play tells the memory of his life, tells the struggles of a young man who struggles to remain the glue between his father the trumpet player and his alcoholic mother. He tries to keep the balance between the two.”

The role of Terry presented a challenge to 18-year-old Savannah Smith.

“It’s pretty intense,” said Savannah, a senior. “It’s a very difficult character to play because connecting those kinds of emotions is very difficult. When you do it, it feels awesome.”

She was quick to point out, however, there’s more to Terry than her alcoholism.

“She’s an awesome woman despite her alcoholism,” she said. “She deeply cares about her family, and she deeply cares about her husband and her son.”

The play presented notable challenges to everyone, James said.

“The challenge is making yourself vulnerable to your audience,” he said. “I liked being able to relate and share a lot of experiences that happen in every household. It’s so familiar.”

He and Savannah are both looking forward to the competition this Saturday.

“I’m really excited but I’m really nervous because I just really hope that we all advance as a show,” Savannah said. “Even if we don’t advance, it’s more about being able to perform the show and do the best that we possibly can.”