The Advanced Acting Company students had a rare opportunity to curse out and beat up their classmates at school—to thunderous applause. Their detention-warranting shenanigans were all a part of the play “Mauritius.”

With performances November 21-22, the “Mauritius” cast consisted of Advanced Acting Company students: junior Izzy Schafer, senior Jeremiah Wheatley, senior Finn Deeney, senior Will Wichman, and junior Kelsey Riordan. Their characters were at each other’s throats—figuratively and literally—over a stamp sale.

“It’s such a crazy play for being about stamps,” Izzy said.

Not too long after the lights first shone upon Izzy and Jeremiah in the stamp shop, a scene transpired which those in attendance at the November 19 preview during Gathering recognized.

During the preview, a gasp echoed in the theater as Jeremiah’s head, held by Will, was “smashed” against a table. The full show included many more fight scenes, all choreographed by renowned fight director David Blixt, who taught the students how to simulate realistic fighting without injury.

“It looks like we’re in a lot of danger, but we’re not at all,” said Izzy, who had a few violent scenes.

Toward the end of the show, Will’s character was once again the aggressor as his arm surrounded Izzy’s neck. Izzy slid lower in the grasp until she collapsed to the floor.

“I was doing it myself the whole time,” Izzy said. “There’s no pressure on my neck at all.”

That moment was not the only part of the scene that made the audience gasp. A whiplash of plot twists transpired as the play came to a close.

Senior Lia Ruiz said, “I was so captivated, just how much of an emotional roller coaster it was.”

The cast also felt a range of emotions regarding the end of the show as the curtain drew on their final performance.

“I’m sad that it’s over,” Jeremiah said, “but it was genuinely the best performance I’ve ever done.”