It’s the first year of Phantasmagoria, Pony by Ginuwine plays over the theater speakers as class of 2023 Seniors Charles White and Andres Roberts emerge from the sides of the stage, a lonesome yoga ball is thrown between them.
As the ball bounces across the stage towards Roberts, White takes a running start, rolling over the ball on his stomach, and through Roberts legs. This offbeat and wacky skit has become one of the signature moves in the Advanced Acting class’ Phantasmagoria.
“I would describe Phantasmagoria as a talent show but it’s also a great opportunity for people who aren’t used to being on stage to get up there and have fun,” senior Donovan Sar-Garza said.
Advanced Acting alumni Malani Jubali watches the acts from the side of the stage. She founded Phantasmagoria along with fellow advanced acting alumnus Jasper Kra-Kaskey, Maya Hollingsworth, and Miranda Long.
“Honestly, it was the concerted effort of four students wanting to bring back a part of school culture,” said advanced acting class alumni Mary Schickedanz. “It came at a time where people were at a very divisive place, and people didn’t feel like there was a lot of student culture.”
Phantasmagoria operates with donation based tickets, and first come first serve seating. In 2023 the audience was full and buzzing with excitement for the first ever Phantasmagoria.
“Looking backstage at a full house was really cool, also the fact that it was a very diverse audience, different from the usual crowd that goes to the musicals or advanced acting shows,” senior Alison Atanasio said.
The curtains open to the advanced acting class in formation as they are dancing to the treblemakers final performance from Pitch Perfect one.
“It’s cool to watch my friends on stage having fun and the dance is always a nice surprise, since it’s always so different every year,” Sar-Garza said.
After bathing in the applause the acting class rushes off stage and the first skit goes on. The skits fill the gap between each act, giving the stage crew time to set up for the next act.
“I love the tardy skit that we did last year [2025], it was so funny. Or, the ball dance, which is a classic. It just gets funnier every year. Which is hard to do.” Schickedanz said.
Backstage teachers Andrew Willats and Eduardo Wolbert wait to make their debut on the stage.
“The first year [of Phantasmagoria], I performed with Michaela Bini, she saw my guitars and was like, ‘I love to play guitar and sing’, and I said we should totally do that talent show,” Wolbert said.
A stool is set center stage and PHS alumni Danielle Zaroukian sits with a microphone as Quiet by Natalie Weiss begins to play.
“Just find something that you enjoy doing because if you’re trying to win and that’s your only goal you’re not gonna win because they can tell you’re not having fun up there.,” sophomore Grette Willats said.
Class of 2023 seniors Callum Mitchell, Xander Schulte-Sasse, and Alexis Montero-Castro form a line as the familiar beat of Call Me Maybe starts to play.
“As someone who’s graduated, you’re only in high school once. If you do participate in Phantasmagoria, you’re gonna be able to look back on this as an adult and know you did this cool thing,” Schickedanz said. “I really think people give a lot of gravity to what others might think about them. But, I think there’s like a time and place to put that down.”
Actors rush up and down the aisles of the theater collecting votes. Three different prizes are awarded 100 dollars, free Doordash from any store, and a ‘cut the line’ pass for day on the green.
“I think we offer pretty good prizes and I think if more people knew about them that maybe more people would participate,” senior Dinar Kidane said.
Wolbert said prizes don’t even matter and the safe environment to express yourself is the real prize,
“If you ever felt like, you’d like to do something like that, but you’re kind of nervous to go out and do some random open mic night, or go somewhere in public, you could do it here,” Wolbert said. “A lot of people live near the school and show up, and everyone’s really supportive. It’s just fun to be part of the show.”
