Where the Creature Awakens

by Lily Oh '27

Lightning flashes. Heartbeat echoes. The creature opens its eyes for the very first time. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has terrified and fascinated readers for over two centuries — and this fall, St. Mark’s is bringing that world to life on stage. Yes, you read that right: the fall play this year is Frankenstein, and it’s unlike anything we’ve done in a long time.

The fall play is one of the most awaited traditions of the year, and this production feels especially exciting. Instead of magic and comedy, we’re diving into something darker, more emotional — a story about loneliness, responsibility, and the ultimate moral question: what makes someone a monster?

So why Frankenstein? Director Mr. Kent explains: “Frankenstein was one of the first books I had to teach when I came to St. Mark’s. I honestly didn’t like it at first — confusing language and switching narrators. But I remember a student coming into class early after she read the first chapters where the creature takes over the narration, and she couldn’t stop talking about it. She had so much to say about the creature’s story, how cruel Victor seemed, then how cruel the creature seemed — questions, concerns, opinions — she couldn’t stop herself from letting it all out. She kept talking to everyone who came to class about everything she felt and understood. I had a whole lesson plan that I had to drop, and instead, I just let her run the class.” That moment didn’t leave him. Later, during COVID, when he watched the National Theatre Live stage version starring Benedict Cumberbatch, he fell in love with the play all over again.“I fell in love with the stage play version after watching it a half dozen times. I love how Nick Dear’s adaptation centers around the creature’s story and pushes the audience to see the world through his perspective. It limits the scope of the story for the audience but illuminates some of the most important moments. It’s also full of challenging roles for actors. The dialogue is dense (like Mary Shelley’s original text), and it forces everyone to be really clear about their actions and objectives.”

Rehearsals, as always, have been full of surprises. “Every day is a bit of a surprise,” Mr. Kent laughs. “I change my mind constantly — the shop is full of abandoned fireplaces and revolving stages. But the best moment is when actors finally put their scripts down and become their characters. There’s a pretty awesome sense of accomplishment that creeps across their faces — it’s awesome to see!” And what does he want the audience to feel when they leave? “My hope for every show is that the audience feels something. Sometimes it’s joy and laughter; other times it’s confusion or anger. It’s been a little while since we’ve performed a big-time dramatic play, so I’m excited for folks to push themselves to think deeply and have lots of questions and strong feelings when they leave the theater!”

So get ready! This won’t be a lighthearted fantasy. It will be raw. emotional. intense. And unforgettable. If you think you know the story of Frankenstein — you don’t. Not like this. Don’t just hear about it afterward. Be in the room. Come to the Black Box on November 12th to 15th to support your fellow St. Markers and experience this powerful production live! 

NEON Dance

Alexander Wang’29 & Jaewon Lee’29

Every start of the school year, St. Mark’s students kick things off with blasting lights and music in Benson Gym. The Neon Dance has become more than just an event — it’s a tradition. For students, it’s a symbol of joy and energy that sets the tone for the year ahead.

A few weeks ago, students enjoyed their time in Benson Gym at the Neon Dance. DJ DCaso, an experienced DJ who has performed at venues nationwide and internationally and collaborated with famous athletes and artists, was invited to perform. DJ DCaso played an essential role at the Neon Dance, enlivening the scene and curating songs for the crowd.

Before the dance began, there was a preparation booth in the Lion’s Den, providing students with flashing sunglasses, glow sticks, and much more. As you might expect, the dress code was neon clothing. For those who were dehydrated or just needed a break from the excitement, there was also a hydration station with various drinks and a place to sit down and cool off.

As the Neon Dance reached its peak, Benson Gym was packed with students, and the floor trembled as people jumped up and down. The decorations on the walls, the vibrant lights, neon sticks, colorful outfits, and massive speakers all played a big part in the success of the event. We also can’t forget to mention Mr. Giegucz and the monitors, who played a major role in planning and preparing for the Neon Dance.

To learn more about the work they put in behind the scenes to pull off such an event, we asked a few questions to Mr. Giegucz and Ian Cho ’26. The foundation of the Neon Dance was originally set by Ms. Kosow and Mr. Giegucz, and the monitors added vital elements to its success. As mentioned earlier, DJ DCaso was invited back to campus because he had received “good reviews from the students from previous years.”

Parts of the Neon Dance preparation — like face paint, temporary tattoos, balloons, and neon sticks — were all planned by Mr. Giegucz and the monitors. Benson Gym was chosen as the location because it was “small, but also big enough where you can breathe.” The gym also had windows to help ventilate and cool down the air. They also planned the hydration station, as well as popsicles from the monitors, adding an extra little twist.

Mr. Giegucz continued to praise the monitors because they were the ones promoting the event by sending emails, making school announcements, and even visiting every dorm to let students know what to expect. With big events come high expectations, and Mr. Giegucz emphasized that the monitors went above and beyond to ensure the Neon Dance’s success. They also helped set up the dance by blowing up balloons and sticking them on the walls, setting up equipment, and more.

Mr. Giegucz noted that student-driven weekend activities are the key to any successful event, not just the Neon Dance, because “once the students buy in, that spreads and there’s excitement amongst the students.”

As new students settle in and the leaves start to change color, we know that another school year is underway. The Neon Dance was a fun way for students to start the year — full of energy and excitement, as well as opportunities to meet new people. Without the help of Mr. Giegucz, Ms. Kosow, the monitors, and the students, the Neon Dance would not have been this successful. We, as a St. Mark’s community, look forward to more of these events. Go Lions!