1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:33,158 --> 00:00:37,245 woman: Actors on stage, we're doing "What The Hell!" 4 00:00:37,328 --> 00:00:40,498 man: I'm gonna tell you what I'm looking for and what I didn't get last night, 5 00:00:40,582 --> 00:00:42,417 so I want to make sure I get it this night. 6 00:00:42,500 --> 00:00:45,336 It's literally tempo. 7 00:00:45,420 --> 00:00:47,005 Tempo, tempo, tempo, tempo, tempo. 8 00:00:47,088 --> 00:00:48,715 (playing intense accompaniment) 9 00:00:48,798 --> 00:00:50,967 ♪ What the hell, what the hell what the hell ♪ 10 00:00:51,050 --> 00:00:53,845 But you see how the "hell" doesn't actually line up with the piano? 11 00:00:53,928 --> 00:00:55,638 student: What are the actual notes? 12 00:00:55,722 --> 00:00:57,390 -(playing note) -David Taylor Gomes: Uh, boys? 13 00:00:57,474 --> 00:00:58,892 (playing) 14 00:00:58,975 --> 00:00:59,976 Altos. 15 00:01:00,059 --> 00:01:03,229 (playing different key) 16 00:01:03,313 --> 00:01:06,858 That key change there has to be rhythmically precise. 17 00:01:06,941 --> 00:01:08,193 Let's run it! 18 00:01:08,276 --> 00:01:09,527 (playing) 19 00:01:11,696 --> 00:01:13,114 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 20 00:01:13,198 --> 00:01:17,994 ♪ What the hell is going on here? ♪ 21 00:01:18,077 --> 00:01:19,913 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 22 00:01:19,996 --> 00:01:23,208 ♪ What the hell is going on here? ♪ 23 00:01:23,291 --> 00:01:26,586 ♪ I work hard ♪ 24 00:01:26,669 --> 00:01:29,589 ♪ I work so damn hard ♪ 25 00:01:29,672 --> 00:01:32,759 ♪ But what's it for ♪ 26 00:01:32,842 --> 00:01:36,471 ♪ When it all falls apart? ♪ 27 00:01:36,554 --> 00:01:38,807 David: Kyle and I wanted to write a musical 28 00:01:38,890 --> 00:01:41,810 for the students at Granite Bay High School. 29 00:01:41,893 --> 00:01:45,188 We said, if we do a show that centers around students in high school, 30 00:01:45,271 --> 00:01:46,439 what do they care about? 31 00:01:46,523 --> 00:01:48,274 And at Granite Bay, they really care 32 00:01:48,358 --> 00:01:50,860 about their grades, almost to a fault. 33 00:01:50,944 --> 00:01:52,529 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 34 00:01:52,612 --> 00:01:56,115 ♪ What the hell is going on here? ♪ 35 00:01:56,199 --> 00:01:59,244 Kyle Holmes: Students truly believe that their class rank, 36 00:01:59,327 --> 00:02:02,789 and where they'll go to college, is gonna determine everything. 37 00:02:02,872 --> 00:02:05,208 student: This whole week, you've been the one that's... 38 00:02:05,291 --> 00:02:07,126 Maya: 4.0 isn't enough anymore, 39 00:02:07,210 --> 00:02:09,546 which is funny because that used to be perfect. 40 00:02:09,629 --> 00:02:11,881 But now it's all about being better than perfect. 41 00:02:11,965 --> 00:02:13,633 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 42 00:02:13,716 --> 00:02:16,427 ♪ What the hell is going on here? ♪ 43 00:02:16,511 --> 00:02:18,346 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 44 00:02:18,429 --> 00:02:21,891 Kyle: There is like a level of gamesmanship to get into college. 45 00:02:21,975 --> 00:02:25,061 Many students are paying for college coaches, 46 00:02:25,144 --> 00:02:27,188 SAT tutoring and prep. 47 00:02:27,272 --> 00:02:29,190 A lot of amazing students 48 00:02:29,274 --> 00:02:31,526 don't have the financial means to be a part of it. 49 00:02:31,609 --> 00:02:35,947 That inequity played a huge role in us writing "Ranked." 50 00:02:36,030 --> 00:02:38,324 (cheering and applause) 51 00:02:38,408 --> 00:02:40,702 Sid, I can't get ahold of mom and dad. 52 00:02:40,785 --> 00:02:43,037 Lex isn't returning my calls. Where have you been? 53 00:02:43,121 --> 00:02:44,873 Kyle: There's a character in our story 54 00:02:44,956 --> 00:02:48,376 whose main plot line is his parents were paying for his grades 55 00:02:48,459 --> 00:02:49,669 without him knowing. 56 00:02:49,752 --> 00:02:52,589 In our early read-throughs from our friends, 57 00:02:52,672 --> 00:02:56,134 a lot of the feedback was, "Eh, seems like a bit of a stretch. 58 00:02:56,217 --> 00:02:57,802 How could he not know and how could he--" 59 00:02:57,886 --> 00:02:59,971 And we just felt really adamant, we have to leave this in. 60 00:03:00,054 --> 00:03:03,391 We think this is really important, you're not going to talk us out of this. 61 00:03:03,474 --> 00:03:05,101 And then the story broke. 62 00:03:05,184 --> 00:03:08,271 reporter: The largest ever college admissions cheating scam. 63 00:03:08,354 --> 00:03:09,856 Fifty people arrested. 64 00:03:09,939 --> 00:03:12,150 Most of them wealthy parents, 65 00:03:12,233 --> 00:03:14,527 all accused of trying to do the same thing: 66 00:03:14,611 --> 00:03:18,114 getting their kids into some of the most elite schools in the country. 67 00:03:18,197 --> 00:03:20,033 woman: Rick Singer, years ago, 68 00:03:20,116 --> 00:03:23,077 he actually worked with students at Granite Bay High School. 69 00:03:23,161 --> 00:03:24,621 He ran an office here. 70 00:03:24,704 --> 00:03:26,915 A lot of our students used to work with him. 71 00:03:26,998 --> 00:03:30,168 reporter: We had a pretty strange case of life imitating art, 72 00:03:30,251 --> 00:03:33,421 a show that explored life in high school, 73 00:03:33,504 --> 00:03:36,257 one often driven by grades, tests, 74 00:03:36,341 --> 00:03:38,843 and this immense pressure to get into top colleges. 75 00:03:38,927 --> 00:03:40,803 David: Oh, we're really onto something. 76 00:03:40,887 --> 00:03:44,807 Everyone is waiting to talk about this, and now they get to. 77 00:03:44,891 --> 00:03:47,101 And see a musical. (chuckles) 78 00:03:47,185 --> 00:03:49,687 Ryan, have you been paying for your grades or not? 79 00:03:49,771 --> 00:03:53,483 -Ryan: Lex, look, I can explain. -student: You were the one paying for your class rank. 80 00:03:53,566 --> 00:03:55,360 What are we supposed to tell colleges? 81 00:03:55,443 --> 00:03:57,487 That we don't have ranks anymore because you cheated? 82 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:01,616 Look at yourselves, tearing each other apart, over what, a number? 83 00:04:01,699 --> 00:04:03,284 (murmuring) 84 00:04:03,368 --> 00:04:04,994 Kyle: Holy shit. 85 00:04:05,078 --> 00:04:06,496 That's our story. 86 00:04:06,579 --> 00:04:08,331 I wrote that a year ago. 87 00:04:08,414 --> 00:04:11,000 And now we're seeing it play out. 88 00:04:11,084 --> 00:04:12,669 students: ♪ Why is this happening? ♪ 89 00:04:12,752 --> 00:04:15,129 ♪ Why is this happening? ♪ 90 00:04:15,213 --> 00:04:17,799 ♪ What the hell ♪ 91 00:04:17,882 --> 00:04:23,513 ♪ Is going on? ♪ 92 00:04:23,596 --> 00:04:25,640 (dramatic finale playing) 93 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:41,155 student: I therefore am... 94 00:04:41,239 --> 00:04:43,449 (dramatic piano chords playing) 95 00:04:43,533 --> 00:04:44,951 Kyle: Okay! 96 00:04:45,034 --> 00:04:47,537 Lots of work to do. 97 00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:49,622 David: Here we go. 98 00:04:53,334 --> 00:04:55,211 Kyle: At a school like Granite Bay, 99 00:04:55,294 --> 00:04:57,213 everyone kind of knows where everyone is, 100 00:04:57,296 --> 00:04:59,465 rank-wise, all the time. 101 00:04:59,549 --> 00:05:02,468 They can log in on an app and see what their grades are. 102 00:05:02,552 --> 00:05:05,555 They can see how their rank changes. 103 00:05:05,638 --> 00:05:09,726 Technology has made it so accessible 104 00:05:09,809 --> 00:05:11,394 and so prevalent in their lives. 105 00:05:11,477 --> 00:05:14,022 Kids are oftentimes finding themselves 106 00:05:14,105 --> 00:05:15,857 very miserable, and very unhappy. 107 00:05:15,940 --> 00:05:17,525 Jack: There's a huge pressure. 108 00:05:17,608 --> 00:05:20,069 Everyone's like, "I need to get an A in this class." 109 00:05:20,153 --> 00:05:22,655 "I need to keep up my 4.5 GPA while balancing drama 110 00:05:22,739 --> 00:05:26,868 and being on a sports team and the National Honor Society." 111 00:05:26,951 --> 00:05:30,747 Anvita: My parents and I have butt heads so many times. 112 00:05:30,830 --> 00:05:34,042 They tell me like if you like theater, that's great, 113 00:05:34,125 --> 00:05:36,085 but your AP scores need to be in check first, 114 00:05:36,169 --> 00:05:38,212 and your SATs need to be in check first. 115 00:05:38,296 --> 00:05:40,423 (crowd applauding on video) 116 00:05:40,506 --> 00:05:42,258 Kyle: We had a student a few years ago 117 00:05:42,341 --> 00:05:44,093 give the valedictorian speech 118 00:05:44,177 --> 00:05:47,972 and talk about how they just played a game. 119 00:05:48,056 --> 00:05:49,599 4.63. 120 00:05:49,682 --> 00:05:53,728 This three-digit number is the reason I stand before you today. 121 00:05:53,811 --> 00:05:57,315 GPA has become like currency in a game of Monopoly, 122 00:05:57,398 --> 00:05:59,734 in which the players who chance upon the right tiles 123 00:05:59,817 --> 00:06:02,153 or construct the right schedules earn more, 124 00:06:02,236 --> 00:06:04,864 while others inevitably end up with less. 125 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:07,909 No matter what, someone wins the game, 126 00:06:07,992 --> 00:06:09,869 while the rest stand defeated. 127 00:06:09,952 --> 00:06:11,496 Kyle: It went viral. 128 00:06:11,579 --> 00:06:13,915 I think over six million views on YouTube. 129 00:06:13,998 --> 00:06:16,292 It's pretty indicative of the culture. 130 00:06:16,375 --> 00:06:18,461 Right when you're trying to figure out who you are, 131 00:06:18,544 --> 00:06:19,754 the school, and your peers, 132 00:06:19,837 --> 00:06:20,797 and your teachers, 133 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,423 and sometimes even your parents, 134 00:06:22,507 --> 00:06:23,841 will come to you and say, 135 00:06:23,925 --> 00:06:25,718 "Here's what you are, you're this number." 136 00:06:25,802 --> 00:06:28,471 And it is so easy to just take that number, 137 00:06:28,554 --> 00:06:30,389 because it's so much easier than 138 00:06:30,473 --> 00:06:32,850 trying to acknowledge the fact that you don't know who you are. 139 00:06:32,934 --> 00:06:35,812 Kyle: In June of 2018, 140 00:06:35,895 --> 00:06:37,855 we sat down with our students. 141 00:06:37,939 --> 00:06:41,234 We said, "Tell us everything that is going on in your life 142 00:06:41,317 --> 00:06:43,069 that you've not said to your parent." 143 00:06:43,152 --> 00:06:44,946 In writing the musical "Ranked," 144 00:06:45,029 --> 00:06:49,450 we wanted to amplify everything our students were saying to us. 145 00:06:49,534 --> 00:06:53,162 (intense rock music playing) 146 00:06:56,541 --> 00:06:59,168 ♪ Hey, welcome to high school ♪ 147 00:06:59,252 --> 00:07:00,628 ♪ Welcome to my school ♪ 148 00:07:00,711 --> 00:07:03,673 ♪ Where you must excel at everything ♪ 149 00:07:03,756 --> 00:07:05,842 ♪ Think I'm being dramatic? ♪ 150 00:07:05,925 --> 00:07:07,760 ♪ It's just simple mathematics ♪ 151 00:07:07,844 --> 00:07:10,680 ♪ We can't all be winners ♪ 152 00:07:10,763 --> 00:07:13,266 Kyle: "Ranked" is set in the not-too-distant future. 153 00:07:13,349 --> 00:07:16,060 It's supposed to be a little bit dystopian. 154 00:07:16,144 --> 00:07:18,521 It's a world where your class rank 155 00:07:18,604 --> 00:07:20,356 determines everything about your life. 156 00:07:20,439 --> 00:07:22,441 student: Hey, how'd this morning go? 157 00:07:22,525 --> 00:07:24,902 I can't do this. I'm going to fail. 158 00:07:24,986 --> 00:07:27,029 I'm gonna fall below the average. 159 00:07:27,113 --> 00:07:29,740 I can't spend the rest of my life... 160 00:07:29,824 --> 00:07:31,659 like that. 161 00:07:31,742 --> 00:07:33,786 Kyle: We have above the average students 162 00:07:33,870 --> 00:07:35,830 and below the average students. 163 00:07:35,913 --> 00:07:39,167 If you are above the average, then your life is set 164 00:07:39,250 --> 00:07:41,460 and you are on the path to college 165 00:07:41,544 --> 00:07:43,629 and a successful life and a successful career. 166 00:07:43,713 --> 00:07:47,133 If you are below the average, then you don't have any of those things. 167 00:07:47,216 --> 00:07:51,053 ♪ When does this feeling go away? ♪ 168 00:07:51,137 --> 00:07:53,389 ♪ This tightness in my chest ♪ 169 00:07:53,472 --> 00:07:56,893 ♪ When will I see through all this grey? ♪ 170 00:07:56,976 --> 00:07:59,812 ♪ Why am I always second best? ♪ 171 00:07:59,896 --> 00:08:03,482 ♪ And, God, what will my parents say ♪ 172 00:08:03,566 --> 00:08:06,485 ♪ If I fail another test? ♪ 173 00:08:06,569 --> 00:08:09,739 ♪ Has it always been this way? ♪ 174 00:08:09,822 --> 00:08:16,078 ♪ Can you tell me something different isn't better? ♪ 175 00:08:16,162 --> 00:08:19,832 David: There's this feeling of suffocation and drowning 176 00:08:19,916 --> 00:08:23,753 that comes with the pressure of everyone trying to tell you 177 00:08:23,836 --> 00:08:25,588 you have to be the absolute best. 178 00:08:25,671 --> 00:08:32,011 ♪ It's time to come up for air... ♪ 179 00:08:32,094 --> 00:08:35,181 ♪ These waves keep crashing down ♪ 180 00:08:35,264 --> 00:08:38,768 ♪ But we're still there ♪ 181 00:08:38,851 --> 00:08:42,355 ♪ So push me down and spit me out ♪ 182 00:08:42,438 --> 00:08:43,898 ♪ I found my ground ♪ 183 00:08:43,981 --> 00:08:47,902 ♪ I'm not about to throw it all away ♪ 184 00:08:47,985 --> 00:08:51,864 ♪ Because life isn't fair ♪ 185 00:08:51,948 --> 00:08:57,495 ♪ I'm gonna come up for air ♪ 186 00:08:58,829 --> 00:09:01,040 Maya: Most parents come out of it 187 00:09:01,123 --> 00:09:02,541 and go, "Oh, that's crazy. 188 00:09:02,625 --> 00:09:04,794 That's wild! That's never happened." 189 00:09:04,877 --> 00:09:07,296 You know, but a lot of the students that I talk to 190 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:13,344 after seeing it look at me and go, "Oh, my gosh, that's how I feel. 191 00:09:13,427 --> 00:09:15,096 That is our life." 192 00:09:15,179 --> 00:09:17,431 (pensive music playing) 193 00:09:17,515 --> 00:09:21,477 ♪ Everything changes ♪ 194 00:09:21,560 --> 00:09:23,396 Maya: Parents don't know. 195 00:09:23,479 --> 00:09:27,316 And so I think this show kind of started conversations. 196 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,404 ♪ Everything changes ♪ 197 00:09:31,487 --> 00:09:35,157 ♪ When will this change? ♪ 198 00:09:35,241 --> 00:09:37,785 David: Because this show was specifically written 199 00:09:37,868 --> 00:09:39,870 for our students at Granite Bay High School, 200 00:09:39,954 --> 00:09:42,456 we didn't ever expect it to go past Granite Bay High School. 201 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:46,210 But we had schools all over the country reaching out to us 202 00:09:46,294 --> 00:09:48,045 wanting to license and perform the show, 203 00:09:48,129 --> 00:09:51,507 from California, to West Virginia, to New York, 204 00:09:51,591 --> 00:09:54,593 to Michigan, Maryland, Rhode Island, 205 00:09:54,677 --> 00:10:00,266 Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey. 206 00:10:00,349 --> 00:10:04,937 We even heard from schools in England, Malaysia, China and Japan. 207 00:10:05,021 --> 00:10:08,482 -(audience applauding) -Kyle: It was so encouraging 208 00:10:08,566 --> 00:10:11,402 to see other schools reaching out to us saying, 209 00:10:11,485 --> 00:10:13,946 "Hey, these are our kids' stories too, 210 00:10:14,030 --> 00:10:16,657 and how can we work with you to tell that?" 211 00:10:16,741 --> 00:10:19,535 (piano playing coda) 212 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:27,043 (students chatting indistinctly) 213 00:10:27,126 --> 00:10:30,880 All right, ladies and gentlemen, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals. 214 00:10:30,963 --> 00:10:33,549 -Please get on the stage. -Let me hear it. 215 00:10:33,632 --> 00:10:35,843 ♪ What the hell what the hell ♪ 216 00:10:35,926 --> 00:10:37,553 And remember, how are we saying "what the hell"? 217 00:10:37,636 --> 00:10:39,847 -student 1: Strong! -student 2: "What the hell?!" 218 00:10:39,930 --> 00:10:42,808 Can we do an interp on "What the hell is going on here"? 219 00:10:42,892 --> 00:10:44,393 ♪ ♪ 220 00:10:44,477 --> 00:10:46,562 Ojas: My peers at Cupertino High School 221 00:10:46,645 --> 00:10:48,272 would probably define success 222 00:10:48,356 --> 00:10:50,900 as getting into top tier schools. 223 00:10:50,983 --> 00:10:53,194 It's this sort of snowball effect thinking that, 224 00:10:53,277 --> 00:10:56,947 "I get into Stanford, I get a good job offer. 225 00:10:57,031 --> 00:11:00,284 I get to buy a big house, I get to live happily." 226 00:11:00,368 --> 00:11:04,872 I created a Twitter account just so I could follow the admissions officers 227 00:11:04,955 --> 00:11:06,540 to see when they're releasing it. 228 00:11:06,624 --> 00:11:08,918 My only Twitter account is following colleges. 229 00:11:09,001 --> 00:11:10,836 Yeah, we don't use Twitter for anything else. 230 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,464 Anastasia: People see success here 231 00:11:13,547 --> 00:11:17,843 as getting a job in computer science or bioengineering. 232 00:11:17,927 --> 00:11:20,679 (laughing) Everything that has math in it. 233 00:11:20,763 --> 00:11:21,847 It's a math city. 234 00:11:21,931 --> 00:11:22,932 Like, we have 235 00:11:23,015 --> 00:11:24,517 an Apple campus right there. 236 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:26,894 Kami Tomberlain: Cupertino is definitely 237 00:11:26,977 --> 00:11:28,854 suburban Silicon Valley. 238 00:11:28,938 --> 00:11:31,899 Facebook, Google, Twitter, Pinterest. 239 00:11:31,982 --> 00:11:34,402 Everybody's here, one form or another. 240 00:11:34,485 --> 00:11:37,071 Arcadia Conrad: It is a community made up 241 00:11:37,154 --> 00:11:39,782 of first- and second-generation immigrants, 242 00:11:39,865 --> 00:11:41,283 most of whom are united 243 00:11:41,367 --> 00:11:44,245 by the desire to see their children 244 00:11:44,328 --> 00:11:45,913 do very, very well in life. 245 00:11:45,996 --> 00:11:48,332 So, a lot of people move here for the schools. 246 00:11:53,295 --> 00:11:55,297 teacher: Growing up in Silicon Valley, 247 00:11:55,381 --> 00:11:57,174 is that forming your identity? 248 00:11:57,258 --> 00:11:59,969 student: Everyone is out to, like, be their very best 249 00:12:00,052 --> 00:12:04,098 and to get that perfect 1600 or that perfect score. 250 00:12:04,181 --> 00:12:06,934 teacher: Do you imagine we're a little skewed 251 00:12:07,017 --> 00:12:09,145 into what "pass" is? 252 00:12:09,228 --> 00:12:11,730 You could all pass this class with a C. 253 00:12:11,814 --> 00:12:13,941 Wouldn't that feel fine? 254 00:12:14,024 --> 00:12:16,402 (nervous laughter) 255 00:12:16,485 --> 00:12:18,112 Senih: In Cupertino, 256 00:12:18,195 --> 00:12:19,738 like, almost everyone's parents 257 00:12:19,822 --> 00:12:21,490 did amazing in their countries 258 00:12:21,574 --> 00:12:23,242 that they immigrated from. 259 00:12:23,325 --> 00:12:24,994 You have all these parents 260 00:12:25,077 --> 00:12:27,288 who were top of their class telling their kids, 261 00:12:27,371 --> 00:12:29,832 "Why can't you be the top of your class?" 262 00:12:29,915 --> 00:12:31,792 But there's only one top of class. 263 00:12:31,876 --> 00:12:34,670 Arcadia: All righty datty dooly. 264 00:12:34,753 --> 00:12:37,381 This is our first stumble-through 265 00:12:37,465 --> 00:12:39,008 of act I, scene I. 266 00:12:39,091 --> 00:12:42,678 I want some peas and carrots. But I want it in edu-speak. 267 00:12:42,761 --> 00:12:46,015 So, fragments of words that we say at school. 268 00:12:46,098 --> 00:12:47,266 A.P. 269 00:12:47,349 --> 00:12:49,852 -Integral. -Uh-huh, lovely. Okay, yes? 270 00:12:49,935 --> 00:12:51,979 -Derivative. -Arcadia: Love it. What else? 271 00:12:52,062 --> 00:12:53,564 -Calculus. -Arcadia: Calculus, uh-huh. 272 00:12:53,647 --> 00:12:56,108 -Antiderivatives. -Arcadia: Antiderivative? 273 00:12:56,192 --> 00:12:59,445 Okay, so now give yourselves a point of view 274 00:12:59,528 --> 00:13:01,155 with regard to those words, 275 00:13:01,238 --> 00:13:04,867 and create a word salad for me about what it's like to study 276 00:13:04,950 --> 00:13:07,203 with the intention of getting a better grade. 277 00:13:07,286 --> 00:13:10,498 (intense piano music playing} 278 00:13:10,581 --> 00:13:14,168 (indistinct chatter) 279 00:13:14,251 --> 00:13:17,546 ♪ Hey, welcome to high school, welcome to my school ♪ 280 00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:20,716 ♪ Where you must excel at everything ♪ 281 00:13:20,799 --> 00:13:22,551 ♪ Think I'm being dramatic? ♪ 282 00:13:22,635 --> 00:13:24,178 ♪ It's just simple mathematics ♪ 283 00:13:24,261 --> 00:13:27,014 ♪ We can't all be winners ♪ 284 00:13:27,097 --> 00:13:30,518 Ruri: I relate to my character a lot, 285 00:13:30,601 --> 00:13:32,269 especially the part of, like, 286 00:13:32,353 --> 00:13:35,856 doing well and not letting other people down. 287 00:13:35,940 --> 00:13:40,653 ♪ You just breathe, you'll be fine ♪ 288 00:13:40,736 --> 00:13:44,198 There's a lyric "just breathe, you'll be fine." 289 00:13:44,281 --> 00:13:46,283 No one ever really says that. 290 00:13:46,367 --> 00:13:49,078 It's always like, "Keep pushing forward, go, go, go!" 291 00:13:49,161 --> 00:13:51,539 ♪ I can't take another year of this ♪ 292 00:13:51,622 --> 00:13:53,624 ♪ I'm sick of hearing this ♪ 293 00:13:53,707 --> 00:13:57,253 ♪ Everyone's telling me who I'm supposed to be ♪ 294 00:13:57,336 --> 00:14:00,923 ♪ They want commitment and they've got priorities ♪ 295 00:14:01,006 --> 00:14:02,675 ♪ What do you want from me? ♪ 296 00:14:02,758 --> 00:14:06,762 ♪ Just let the final bell ring ♪ 297 00:14:06,845 --> 00:14:08,889 Arcadia: Pause, please! Pause! 298 00:14:08,973 --> 00:14:11,642 So on this, "I can't take another year of this, I'm sick of hearing this," 299 00:14:11,725 --> 00:14:13,018 we need to see faces. 300 00:14:13,102 --> 00:14:15,521 And where are these emotions coming from? 301 00:14:15,604 --> 00:14:16,855 When you say these words, 302 00:14:16,939 --> 00:14:19,817 where in your body are these emotions coming from? 303 00:14:21,443 --> 00:14:23,237 Yeah, this is your truth-teller. 304 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,574 If this is not vibrating, you are not telling the truth. 305 00:14:26,657 --> 00:14:28,534 Now your character needs to tell the truth, 306 00:14:28,617 --> 00:14:32,246 and I want you to say, "I can't take another year of this." 307 00:14:32,329 --> 00:14:35,207 students: I can't take another year of this, 308 00:14:35,291 --> 00:14:37,293 I'm sick of hearing this. 309 00:14:37,376 --> 00:14:40,963 Everyone's telling me who I'm supposed to be. 310 00:14:41,046 --> 00:14:44,883 They want commitment and they've got priorities. 311 00:14:44,967 --> 00:14:46,844 What do you want from me? 312 00:14:46,927 --> 00:14:49,221 Anastasia: I'm only 17. 313 00:14:49,305 --> 00:14:51,390 Arcadia: That was better. 314 00:14:54,810 --> 00:14:57,938 Anastasia: I didn't speak English when I just moved here. 315 00:14:58,022 --> 00:15:02,109 I had one best friend who spoke Russian and English. 316 00:15:02,192 --> 00:15:04,778 She would tell me what people think of me 317 00:15:04,862 --> 00:15:07,114 by the classes I take. 318 00:15:07,197 --> 00:15:08,449 I wasn't even talking to anyone, 319 00:15:08,532 --> 00:15:10,743 and they already thought about me something. 320 00:15:10,826 --> 00:15:14,246 That was just really weird for me. 321 00:15:17,041 --> 00:15:19,793 My idea of American Dream is, 322 00:15:19,877 --> 00:15:22,338 I wanna leave something after myself. 323 00:15:22,421 --> 00:15:24,840 I wanna leave a mark. 324 00:15:24,923 --> 00:15:27,843 But I've been working for past two years, 325 00:15:27,926 --> 00:15:31,472 and so many people coming from Apple to get their coffee 326 00:15:31,555 --> 00:15:33,182 and then they're talking about work. 327 00:15:33,265 --> 00:15:37,144 I'm just thinking, is that, like, what I'm supposed to do? 328 00:15:40,064 --> 00:15:44,068 Thinking about doing theater as a profession, 329 00:15:44,151 --> 00:15:46,945 it gives me just a hope. 330 00:15:49,031 --> 00:15:53,327 But I always have this concern, is it possible? 331 00:15:53,410 --> 00:15:55,287 Only the thought of me just 332 00:15:55,371 --> 00:15:57,790 sitting at the desk all my life, 333 00:15:57,873 --> 00:16:03,212 doing computer stuff, it's really freaking me out. 334 00:16:06,215 --> 00:16:10,594 (playing ascending chords) 335 00:16:17,601 --> 00:16:20,062 ♪ You know my dad! ♪ 336 00:16:20,145 --> 00:16:22,106 ♪ He used to tell me ♪ 337 00:16:22,189 --> 00:16:24,650 ♪ What life was like before ranked redemption-- ♪ 338 00:16:24,733 --> 00:16:27,528 ♪ Well, of course they had ranks back then ♪ 339 00:16:27,611 --> 00:16:30,030 ♪ Just not like this ♪ 340 00:16:30,114 --> 00:16:32,616 ♪ School was fun ♪ 341 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:34,827 ♪ There were dances ♪ 342 00:16:34,910 --> 00:16:36,995 ♪ Could you imagine a world ♪ 343 00:16:37,079 --> 00:16:39,123 ♪ Where I could talk to a cute girl ♪ 344 00:16:39,206 --> 00:16:41,500 ♪ And ranks never came up once? ♪ 345 00:16:41,583 --> 00:16:44,086 Senih: I would consider myself an actor, 346 00:16:44,169 --> 00:16:45,546 an entertainer of sorts. 347 00:16:45,629 --> 00:16:48,006 I'd say I'm just the guy at school 348 00:16:48,090 --> 00:16:50,467 that puts a smile on your face. 349 00:16:50,551 --> 00:16:52,094 (quirky piano music playing) 350 00:16:52,177 --> 00:16:53,595 We're all in this together. 351 00:16:53,679 --> 00:16:55,264 Senih: I'm not the best of students. 352 00:16:55,347 --> 00:16:58,308 I mean, I'm getting Bs and Cs and a couple As, 353 00:16:58,392 --> 00:17:01,353 but compared to everyone else around me in Cupertino, 354 00:17:01,437 --> 00:17:03,814 I'm not really in a position where I can see myself 355 00:17:03,897 --> 00:17:06,567 getting into the same colleges as everyone else around me. 356 00:17:06,650 --> 00:17:10,362 It's a weird feeling of... of kind of being left out. 357 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,538 Senih, those are not that important. 358 00:17:19,621 --> 00:17:22,583 (chuckles) It's the windows, get the windows. 359 00:17:22,666 --> 00:17:25,210 Senih: I feel like I'm trying as hard as I can, 360 00:17:25,294 --> 00:17:27,087 but my dad would disagree. 361 00:17:27,171 --> 00:17:30,632 My dad would be like, "Oh, you're not really trying as hard as you can. 362 00:17:30,716 --> 00:17:32,718 If you were, you know, you'd be doing better." 363 00:17:32,801 --> 00:17:34,762 So, why were you this late, though? 364 00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:38,849 I told you, like, if you come in earlier, like three or four. 365 00:17:38,932 --> 00:17:40,392 I had to take the SAT. 366 00:17:40,476 --> 00:17:42,519 Oh, that's right. 367 00:17:42,603 --> 00:17:44,313 How did it go? 368 00:17:44,396 --> 00:17:45,939 (Senih sighs) 369 00:17:46,023 --> 00:17:47,649 Like, you know, 370 00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:50,569 you'd think after doing it four times, you'd improve. 371 00:17:50,652 --> 00:17:51,779 Yeah. 372 00:17:51,862 --> 00:17:53,322 And then you don't improve. 373 00:17:53,405 --> 00:17:55,282 And it's just a waste of time. 374 00:17:55,365 --> 00:17:57,451 Well, were you expecting to improve? 375 00:17:57,534 --> 00:17:59,119 -Yeah. -What did you change? 376 00:17:59,203 --> 00:18:00,746 What was different this time? 377 00:18:00,829 --> 00:18:02,539 I got it done faster, it's just... 378 00:18:02,623 --> 00:18:03,582 Okay. 379 00:18:03,665 --> 00:18:05,292 Senih: I didn't get a better score. 380 00:18:05,375 --> 00:18:07,669 So you made no progress? 381 00:18:07,753 --> 00:18:10,547 I wouldn't-- okay, but I wouldn't say no progress. 382 00:18:10,631 --> 00:18:13,217 Like I still... (sighs) 383 00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:15,511 What makes you think you made progress? 384 00:18:15,594 --> 00:18:17,846 Just, I don't like hearing "no progress." 385 00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:20,015 Well, I know you don't like it, 386 00:18:20,098 --> 00:18:23,352 but that's the truth, right? 387 00:18:23,435 --> 00:18:26,230 Senih: My dad immigrated from Turkey. 388 00:18:26,313 --> 00:18:29,107 He was really lucky, you know, one of the brightest people. 389 00:18:29,191 --> 00:18:31,485 He went to the best college, got a job here. 390 00:18:31,568 --> 00:18:34,696 He really holds us to this high standard, like, 391 00:18:34,780 --> 00:18:38,033 "Why can't you just get all As? Why can't you just be a good student?" 392 00:18:38,116 --> 00:18:40,452 And I, I just wish there was a way to tell him 393 00:18:40,536 --> 00:18:44,414 that it's not as easy as he thinks it is. 394 00:18:44,498 --> 00:18:48,043 I don't think my dad realizes how much his approval means to me. 395 00:18:48,126 --> 00:18:50,838 My older brother plays football, and, you know, 396 00:18:50,921 --> 00:18:53,257 my dad always goes to his games. 397 00:18:53,340 --> 00:18:56,718 I don't think he really notices that he doesn't reciprocate 398 00:18:56,802 --> 00:18:59,972 the same feelings for when I do theater. 399 00:19:01,306 --> 00:19:04,143 I can invite 80, 90 friends to a musical 400 00:19:04,226 --> 00:19:06,019 and have them all tell me I did great, 401 00:19:06,103 --> 00:19:09,314 but it's not going to be the same as if my dad 402 00:19:09,398 --> 00:19:12,526 just for a second was like, "Hey, that was pretty good." 403 00:19:12,609 --> 00:19:15,112 That would mean so much more to me. 404 00:19:15,195 --> 00:19:17,656 (rhythmic clapping) 405 00:19:17,739 --> 00:19:19,616 Okay, starting on my left, 406 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:21,577 we're just gonna say one word or phrase 407 00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:23,829 that accurately describes how we're feeling today about, 408 00:19:23,912 --> 00:19:27,583 uh, the fact that we have, what, three weeks till we open or something like that. 409 00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:29,334 -(excited murmuring) -Harmonies. 410 00:19:29,418 --> 00:19:30,836 -Yeet. -Uh-huh. 411 00:19:30,919 --> 00:19:31,962 (coughs) 412 00:19:32,045 --> 00:19:33,922 -Exhaustion. -Some. 413 00:19:34,006 --> 00:19:36,884 Arcadia: There's a really interesting attitude about theater, 414 00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:39,136 that it's a waste of time. 415 00:19:39,219 --> 00:19:42,222 All right, now we're gonna go this way and I'm gonna be like "ready anyway," 416 00:19:42,306 --> 00:19:44,057 and you're gonna be like "ready anyway," yeah? 417 00:19:44,141 --> 00:19:46,643 And then you're gonna turn to the person next to you. Yes! 418 00:19:46,727 --> 00:19:48,645 -Ready anyway. Ready anyway? -Ready anyway. 419 00:19:48,729 --> 00:19:50,063 -Ready anyway? -Ready anyway. 420 00:19:50,147 --> 00:19:51,899 Ready anyway. Ready anyway? 421 00:19:51,982 --> 00:19:54,484 Ready anyway. Ready wheny-way? 422 00:19:54,568 --> 00:19:55,944 (laughing) 423 00:19:56,028 --> 00:19:59,031 Arcadia: These students have been told 424 00:19:59,114 --> 00:20:01,742 that school is their job. 425 00:20:01,825 --> 00:20:05,746 But if you allow someone to sit in theater for several years, 426 00:20:05,829 --> 00:20:08,040 it will fundamentally change who they are. 427 00:20:08,123 --> 00:20:10,292 Okay, now let's play bippity-bibbity-bop. 428 00:20:10,375 --> 00:20:12,794 Bibbity-bibbity-bop, oh, goodbye! 429 00:20:12,878 --> 00:20:14,504 -Wow, Senih! -Bibbity-bibbity-bop! 430 00:20:14,588 --> 00:20:16,048 Bibbity-bibbity-bop! 431 00:20:16,131 --> 00:20:17,883 both: Bop! 432 00:20:17,966 --> 00:20:20,761 Arcadia: It will change how they express themselves, 433 00:20:20,844 --> 00:20:23,889 it will change how comfortable they are with other people, 434 00:20:23,972 --> 00:20:27,559 how they can find and cultivate their own authority, 435 00:20:27,643 --> 00:20:29,478 how they can connect to others. 436 00:20:29,561 --> 00:20:33,398 One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten-- ding! 437 00:20:33,482 --> 00:20:35,859 Arcadia: And yet we have to constantly 438 00:20:35,943 --> 00:20:38,904 make that argument that it's okay to just 439 00:20:38,987 --> 00:20:42,574 be in an environment and see what happens. 440 00:20:42,658 --> 00:20:46,828 (pensive music playing) 441 00:20:51,166 --> 00:20:54,044 ♪ What could I say ♪ 442 00:20:54,127 --> 00:20:59,174 ♪ If it turned out I failed? ♪ 443 00:20:59,257 --> 00:21:02,177 ♪ What would you do ♪ 444 00:21:02,260 --> 00:21:04,721 ♪ When the water you've bailed ♪ 445 00:21:04,805 --> 00:21:07,933 ♪ Comes rushing back in? ♪ 446 00:21:08,016 --> 00:21:11,645 ♪ You know you can't win ♪ 447 00:21:11,728 --> 00:21:13,897 ♪ You're drowning, you're drowning ♪ 448 00:21:13,981 --> 00:21:17,484 ♪ You're drowning, you're drowning... ♪ 449 00:21:17,567 --> 00:21:21,571 ♪ Better learn how to swim ♪ 450 00:21:21,655 --> 00:21:25,826 Arcadia: There's a depression-anxiety combo 451 00:21:25,909 --> 00:21:28,161 that you see in a lot of students, 452 00:21:28,245 --> 00:21:32,582 where it just knocks kids down 453 00:21:32,666 --> 00:21:35,669 further than it has in the past. 454 00:21:35,752 --> 00:21:39,881 And you're always demanding this level of logistical rigor 455 00:21:39,965 --> 00:21:41,842 from kids all day long. 456 00:21:41,925 --> 00:21:43,552 You know, kids will crack. 457 00:21:45,345 --> 00:21:48,849 Kami: In the last ten years, 56% more adolescents, 458 00:21:48,932 --> 00:21:53,186 ages 10 to 17, are having serious thoughts of suicide. 459 00:21:53,270 --> 00:21:55,063 Which is massive. 460 00:21:55,147 --> 00:21:58,483 Now there's so much pressure to get into the best schools, 461 00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:00,610 and feeling like they have to do 462 00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:02,988 everything possible to get in. 463 00:22:03,071 --> 00:22:05,407 Chris Hickey: The issue of suicide and self-injury 464 00:22:05,490 --> 00:22:07,743 comes up in my office every single day. 465 00:22:07,826 --> 00:22:11,204 I hear from students often that the first question they hear 466 00:22:11,288 --> 00:22:14,249 when they go home is, "How'd you do on the math test?" 467 00:22:14,332 --> 00:22:17,753 Not "How'd you feel at school today? What was school like for you?" 468 00:22:17,836 --> 00:22:22,090 student 1: ♪ Why do I always feel so forgotten? ♪ 469 00:22:22,174 --> 00:22:25,719 student 2: ♪ Shouldn't someone be watching out for me? ♪ 470 00:22:25,802 --> 00:22:28,930 David: I think this show is a bit of a wake-up call. 471 00:22:29,014 --> 00:22:34,686 We ask ourselves, why do students kill themselves? 472 00:22:34,770 --> 00:22:36,646 Baby boomers will look and say, 473 00:22:36,730 --> 00:22:39,066 "It's cell phones, it's the internet." 474 00:22:39,149 --> 00:22:42,235 It's also the way we treat young people. 475 00:22:42,319 --> 00:22:45,072 ♪ Just breathe, you'll be fine ♪ 476 00:22:45,155 --> 00:22:47,282 David: Our show does not talk about suicide, 477 00:22:47,365 --> 00:22:50,786 but our show is a zoom-in on the environment 478 00:22:50,869 --> 00:22:53,997 that breeds all of those things. 479 00:22:58,710 --> 00:23:00,420 (crickets chirping) 480 00:23:00,504 --> 00:23:02,631 (pastoral string music playing) 481 00:23:18,939 --> 00:23:23,068 Carolyn Rader: Ripley has everything that a family would want. 482 00:23:23,151 --> 00:23:24,945 We have a love of our God, 483 00:23:25,028 --> 00:23:27,197 of our families, of our country. 484 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:28,949 We really like to be known 485 00:23:29,032 --> 00:23:32,953 as one of the most patriotic cities in America. 486 00:23:35,622 --> 00:23:39,126 The largest employer in Jackson County is an aluminum plant. 487 00:23:39,209 --> 00:23:42,212 We do have retail such as Walmart. 488 00:23:42,295 --> 00:23:45,799 Jackson County schools is the second largest employer. 489 00:23:49,136 --> 00:23:51,429 (crowd cheering) 490 00:23:51,513 --> 00:23:52,889 Christina Iman: People really support 491 00:23:52,973 --> 00:23:55,767 the students of Ripley High School. 492 00:23:55,851 --> 00:23:57,018 Touchdown! 493 00:23:57,102 --> 00:23:59,646 Christina: Friday nights during football season, 494 00:23:59,729 --> 00:24:01,523 that stadium is packed. 495 00:24:03,900 --> 00:24:06,987 Beverly Shatto: In addition to doing what we do for education... 496 00:24:07,070 --> 00:24:10,157 we also are trying to meet as many other needs as we can. 497 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:13,493 It's not unrealistic for us to have students 498 00:24:13,577 --> 00:24:15,954 who come here because they get meals here. 499 00:24:16,037 --> 00:24:19,291 Barri Faucett: There are a lot of wonderful things about West Virginia. 500 00:24:19,374 --> 00:24:22,544 However, we have several deficits as well. 501 00:24:22,627 --> 00:24:27,841 The most daunting is our substance misuse epidemic. 502 00:24:27,924 --> 00:24:30,218 Christina: We have a lot of students 503 00:24:30,302 --> 00:24:32,762 being raised by their grandparents. 504 00:24:32,846 --> 00:24:35,557 But for the most part, Ripley people look out for each other 505 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:37,267 and when someone's hurting, 506 00:24:37,350 --> 00:24:41,146 people rally and support each other. 507 00:24:41,229 --> 00:24:44,274 The school is the heart of the community. 508 00:24:44,357 --> 00:24:48,069 (somber music playing) 509 00:24:48,153 --> 00:24:49,654 (music fades) 510 00:24:54,576 --> 00:24:57,913 -(rhythmic piano playing) -Aaah. (giggles) 511 00:25:05,587 --> 00:25:08,423 Christina: Whenever you're ready. 512 00:25:08,506 --> 00:25:11,718 ♪ I could have a mansion on a hill ♪ 513 00:25:11,801 --> 00:25:14,387 ♪ I could lease a villa in Seville, but... ♪ 514 00:25:14,471 --> 00:25:16,264 Christina: "Ranked" popped out at me 515 00:25:16,348 --> 00:25:18,308 when I first saw it online. 516 00:25:18,391 --> 00:25:20,101 I thought, "Wow, that sounds like 517 00:25:20,185 --> 00:25:22,229 some of the issues that we've had." 518 00:25:22,312 --> 00:25:25,690 ♪ Hey there, Mr. Chaplin ♪ 519 00:25:25,774 --> 00:25:29,653 ♪ Well, your act deserves applause ♪ 520 00:25:29,736 --> 00:25:32,155 Christina: These kids can't have even one bad grade, 521 00:25:32,239 --> 00:25:34,115 because it's just gonna ruin everything. 522 00:25:34,199 --> 00:25:36,076 It is time, my lord! 523 00:25:36,159 --> 00:25:37,869 What shall I do with the others? 524 00:25:37,953 --> 00:25:39,788 Shall I slay them? 525 00:25:39,871 --> 00:25:41,081 Christina: For a lot of them, 526 00:25:41,164 --> 00:25:43,250 it's not about being number one. 527 00:25:43,333 --> 00:25:46,586 Okay, I can't sing well, so the crown will distract from that. 528 00:25:46,670 --> 00:25:50,131 Christina: But they know that they have to be top 10% 529 00:25:50,215 --> 00:25:51,925 because college is expensive. 530 00:25:52,008 --> 00:25:53,802 There's a lot of money on the line. 531 00:25:53,885 --> 00:25:57,806 ♪ Everyone's pushing, everyone's fighting ♪ 532 00:25:57,889 --> 00:26:01,643 ♪ Storms are approaching, there's nowhere to hide ♪ 533 00:26:01,726 --> 00:26:03,645 Christina: They have to do whatever they can 534 00:26:03,728 --> 00:26:05,563 to try to boost themselves 535 00:26:05,647 --> 00:26:07,941 and make themselves appear as a better candidate, 536 00:26:08,024 --> 00:26:09,609 you know, than someone else, 537 00:26:09,693 --> 00:26:12,946 when the time comes to choose who gets what. 538 00:26:13,029 --> 00:26:17,117 ♪ Dear Theodosia, what to say to you ♪ 539 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:20,912 student: Opportunities are not evenly given out in this world. 540 00:26:20,996 --> 00:26:23,123 College can be pretty costly to go out of state 541 00:26:23,206 --> 00:26:25,166 if you don't have a crazy scholarship. 542 00:26:25,250 --> 00:26:28,837 People in our own school, they're just amazingly academically talented, 543 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:31,172 but they don't have the wealth or connections 544 00:26:31,256 --> 00:26:34,134 to go off somewhere crazy like Stanford. 545 00:26:34,217 --> 00:26:37,679 ♪ A merry-go-round spiraling down ♪ 546 00:26:37,762 --> 00:26:39,848 I don't know how important 547 00:26:39,931 --> 00:26:42,809 grades actually are when it comes to like real life. 548 00:26:42,892 --> 00:26:45,603 All I know is that you have to have acceptable grades 549 00:26:45,687 --> 00:26:47,814 for whatever college that you're gonna go to. 550 00:26:47,897 --> 00:26:51,609 You can get, like, C averages and be fine with your life 551 00:26:51,693 --> 00:26:53,403 if that's what you want to do. 552 00:26:53,486 --> 00:26:55,363 That's it, that's all I had. 553 00:26:55,447 --> 00:26:58,616 man: Have you ever thought about going to an Ivy League college? 554 00:26:58,700 --> 00:27:01,369 That is-- what is that? (laughs) 555 00:27:05,332 --> 00:27:07,167 I honestly don't know what it is. 556 00:27:07,250 --> 00:27:09,210 (piano playing rhythmic intro) 557 00:27:11,838 --> 00:27:13,798 teacher: This is my intro that I have. 558 00:27:13,882 --> 00:27:16,718 -(intro continues) -This is it. 559 00:27:16,801 --> 00:27:18,470 And then eventually I land here. 560 00:27:18,553 --> 00:27:21,389 -(intro continues) -And you just... 561 00:27:21,473 --> 00:27:25,226 ♪ I know your world is crashing down ♪ 562 00:27:25,310 --> 00:27:27,729 ♪ And as you hit the ground ♪ 563 00:27:27,812 --> 00:27:30,690 ♪ Nobody hears a sound ♪ 564 00:27:30,774 --> 00:27:35,028 ♪ Sometimes you've got to make a mess ♪ 565 00:27:35,111 --> 00:27:37,655 ♪ You've got to scream and shout ♪ 566 00:27:37,739 --> 00:27:39,741 ♪ It's time to pound your chest ♪ 567 00:27:39,824 --> 00:27:40,867 (clears throat) 568 00:27:40,950 --> 00:27:43,495 ♪ Or be polite if you dare ♪ 569 00:27:43,578 --> 00:27:45,997 ♪ Just sit tight and braid your hair ♪ 570 00:27:46,081 --> 00:27:48,375 ♪ Take a seat right over there ♪ 571 00:27:48,458 --> 00:27:50,585 ♪ And I'll give you a lesson ♪ 572 00:27:50,668 --> 00:27:55,799 ♪ Someone always bleeds ♪ 573 00:27:55,882 --> 00:28:00,095 ♪ Someone always bleeds ♪ 574 00:28:00,178 --> 00:28:01,763 teacher: I like what you did with that. 575 00:28:01,846 --> 00:28:03,973 Ooh, that gave me... Ah, it makes me like shake. 576 00:28:04,057 --> 00:28:07,060 You gave me chills, girl! Chills! 577 00:28:07,143 --> 00:28:09,229 Anne: I think most people get stressed about 578 00:28:09,312 --> 00:28:12,065 who they want to be when they get older. 579 00:28:12,148 --> 00:28:15,193 The schools now, they really pressure you on, "Who are you gonna be? 580 00:28:15,276 --> 00:28:16,903 What college do you wanna go to?" 581 00:28:16,986 --> 00:28:18,405 I have no clue. 582 00:28:18,488 --> 00:28:21,699 (dog barking) 583 00:28:21,783 --> 00:28:23,326 (indistinct chatter) 584 00:28:23,410 --> 00:28:26,913 Look! I got a ginger snap for you. 585 00:28:26,996 --> 00:28:28,081 No, it's for Donna. 586 00:28:28,164 --> 00:28:31,334 (grunting) 587 00:28:31,418 --> 00:28:33,503 Anne: I see myself just being 588 00:28:33,586 --> 00:28:36,047 successful in something, 589 00:28:36,131 --> 00:28:40,593 but I don't want to be tied down to a job that isn't fun. 590 00:28:40,677 --> 00:28:44,472 I was really set on becoming an elementary teacher, 591 00:28:44,556 --> 00:28:46,724 but I'm not sure about that. 592 00:28:46,808 --> 00:28:50,812 Recently, I've been talking to my parents a lot about special effects 593 00:28:50,895 --> 00:28:52,772 as, possibly, a career. 594 00:28:52,856 --> 00:28:56,443 But we're in West Virginia. There's, like, no schools that have the arts. 595 00:28:56,526 --> 00:28:59,654 I think about, would I be successful 596 00:28:59,737 --> 00:29:02,866 going to, like, a big city trying to do something? 597 00:29:04,367 --> 00:29:06,453 I definitely feel like I'm stereotyped 598 00:29:06,536 --> 00:29:08,455 because I'm from West Virginia. 599 00:29:08,538 --> 00:29:10,290 Like, people just assume 600 00:29:10,373 --> 00:29:12,917 that everyone's just like country hicks 601 00:29:13,001 --> 00:29:15,670 and that we don't know anything. 602 00:29:15,753 --> 00:29:17,297 But I also can't overthink that 603 00:29:17,380 --> 00:29:19,549 'cause I don't know what's gonna happen. 604 00:29:19,632 --> 00:29:22,302 (quirky music playing) 605 00:29:25,305 --> 00:29:27,348 Christina: So we're gonna spend a little time 606 00:29:27,432 --> 00:29:29,184 looking at what our characters actually want. 607 00:29:29,267 --> 00:29:31,186 There's always something else, 608 00:29:31,269 --> 00:29:34,105 something a little bit beneath the surface of what the text says. 609 00:29:34,189 --> 00:29:36,524 So it's up to us to kind of dig in a little bit 610 00:29:36,608 --> 00:29:40,278 and figure out, what is it that your character wants? 611 00:29:40,361 --> 00:29:44,991 I play, uh, Jenner, Taysia, and Liz, so it's like three characters. 612 00:29:45,074 --> 00:29:47,660 Christina: We're probably gonna have to break that up, but... 613 00:29:47,744 --> 00:29:49,704 They, they kinda care about their grades a lot, 614 00:29:49,787 --> 00:29:51,831 and whenever they find out Ryan's cheating, 615 00:29:51,915 --> 00:29:54,501 they're kinda like, "This guy's the reason why I can't get into college." 616 00:29:54,584 --> 00:29:56,961 So, they definitely put their grades over, you know, Ryan. 617 00:29:57,045 --> 00:29:58,713 -Christina: The friendship. Right. -Yeah. 618 00:29:58,796 --> 00:30:02,258 I am aware of class rank, but... 619 00:30:02,342 --> 00:30:04,093 I don't care about it. (chuckles) 620 00:30:04,177 --> 00:30:05,970 Kids worrying about their class rank, 621 00:30:06,054 --> 00:30:09,599 it can be pretty detrimental to, like, their mental health, 622 00:30:09,682 --> 00:30:11,351 and, well, their physical health is too 623 00:30:11,434 --> 00:30:13,561 because you see them staying up till like midnight. 624 00:30:13,645 --> 00:30:15,563 That, I couldn't imagine doing that personally, 625 00:30:15,647 --> 00:30:18,441 'cause I, I gotta go to bed at ten o'clock. Like, I'm done, you know? 626 00:30:18,525 --> 00:30:22,153 It's like, if I have work, then that's tomorrow me's problem. 627 00:30:22,237 --> 00:30:26,533 After high school, I'm planning on going to an art school 628 00:30:26,616 --> 00:30:29,410 that has an animation program. 629 00:30:29,494 --> 00:30:32,205 I love, you know, characters, I love drawing, 630 00:30:32,288 --> 00:30:34,916 I love animating, I love all that kind of stuff. 631 00:30:34,999 --> 00:30:37,835 But money is like the biggest thing. 632 00:30:37,919 --> 00:30:40,421 You have to get so much scholarships, 633 00:30:40,505 --> 00:30:43,258 but you have to have good grades to get scholarships. 634 00:30:43,341 --> 00:30:45,843 And you have to do really good on the ACT. 635 00:30:45,927 --> 00:30:48,513 I just took the ACT for the first time, 636 00:30:48,596 --> 00:30:50,640 and I can tell you I did horrible. 637 00:30:50,723 --> 00:30:53,059 I didn't bring a calculator, like. (laughs) 638 00:30:53,142 --> 00:30:55,895 It kind of makes me feel stuck. 639 00:30:55,979 --> 00:30:58,356 It's really hard for me to get out of West Virginia. 640 00:30:58,439 --> 00:31:00,858 But if I can get into that industry, 641 00:31:00,942 --> 00:31:03,570 that'd be a perfect, you know, job for me. 642 00:31:03,653 --> 00:31:05,655 'Cause I'm doing something that I love. 643 00:31:05,738 --> 00:31:08,074 Christina: Okay, are we ready? 644 00:31:08,157 --> 00:31:09,492 student: You wanna be my Lily? 645 00:31:09,576 --> 00:31:11,744 -I'll be your Lily. Let's go. -Okay. 646 00:31:11,828 --> 00:31:13,746 -Do you want me to sing it? -woman: Yes. 647 00:31:13,830 --> 00:31:15,164 -Christina: Can you? -Yes. 648 00:31:15,248 --> 00:31:17,166 -Christina: I know Evan is not going to be singing back to you. 649 00:31:17,250 --> 00:31:18,543 -I'll speak it. -(laughter) 650 00:31:18,626 --> 00:31:20,420 -I'll speak it. -You can speak it. 651 00:31:20,503 --> 00:31:21,963 And when I do ♪ Ahh-ahh ♪ 652 00:31:22,046 --> 00:31:24,173 -just repeat me, okay? -Okay. 653 00:31:24,257 --> 00:31:26,968 ♪ I see you there ♪ 654 00:31:27,051 --> 00:31:29,304 ♪ Sitting across from me ♪ 655 00:31:29,387 --> 00:31:30,471 ♪ You care ♪ 656 00:31:30,555 --> 00:31:32,849 ♪ Only about what I think ♪ 657 00:31:32,932 --> 00:31:36,352 ♪ But where are all the other parts of you ♪ 658 00:31:36,436 --> 00:31:38,396 ♪ Supposed to fit in? ♪ 659 00:31:38,479 --> 00:31:41,691 -My head is spinning. -(cast laughing) 660 00:31:41,774 --> 00:31:45,945 ♪ Just take a minute to breathe ♪ 661 00:31:46,029 --> 00:31:48,239 ♪ Ahh-ahh ♪ 662 00:31:48,323 --> 00:31:50,325 ♪ Ahh-ahh ♪ 663 00:31:50,408 --> 00:31:52,285 ♪ Ahh-ahh ♪ 664 00:31:52,368 --> 00:31:54,454 ♪ Ahh-ahh ♪ 665 00:31:54,537 --> 00:32:00,501 ♪ When do we come up for air? ♪ 666 00:32:00,585 --> 00:32:06,591 ♪ These waves keep crashing down without a care ♪ 667 00:32:06,674 --> 00:32:09,844 ♪ They'll push you down and spit you out ♪ 668 00:32:09,927 --> 00:32:13,389 ♪ You'll come around and still have doubt ♪ 669 00:32:13,473 --> 00:32:19,604 ♪ But treading water doesn't get you anywhere ♪ 670 00:32:19,687 --> 00:32:24,108 ♪ When do we come up for air? ♪ 671 00:32:24,192 --> 00:32:27,654 Oh, my God, Taylor. 672 00:32:27,737 --> 00:32:31,199 Taylor: I'm always trying to push myself to do harder 673 00:32:31,282 --> 00:32:33,409 and, like, work to be 674 00:32:33,493 --> 00:32:36,329 the best I can be so I don't feel stuck. 675 00:32:36,412 --> 00:32:39,624 My parents want me to go to a community college, 676 00:32:39,707 --> 00:32:42,919 where it's free, I can get the same education that I want. 677 00:32:43,002 --> 00:32:46,297 But I'm wanting to go to this other college 678 00:32:46,381 --> 00:32:48,007 because I, I feel like 679 00:32:48,091 --> 00:32:50,510 I would be the only person to stay home. 680 00:32:50,593 --> 00:32:53,388 You know, all of my friends, they're going off to these schools, 681 00:32:53,471 --> 00:32:55,390 some of them even like out of the state. 682 00:32:55,473 --> 00:32:57,725 So if I were to stay home and in Ripley, 683 00:32:57,809 --> 00:32:59,644 I would feel stuck. 684 00:32:59,727 --> 00:33:02,980 (pensive music playing) 685 00:33:08,444 --> 00:33:11,239 Evan: The idea of not leaving West Virginia, 686 00:33:11,322 --> 00:33:14,158 it's very deeply seated. 687 00:33:14,242 --> 00:33:16,953 I mean, the hills, um, in the first place, 688 00:33:17,036 --> 00:33:18,996 when there weren't, like, good roads, 689 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:22,375 it was physically difficult to leave this place. 690 00:33:22,458 --> 00:33:25,920 And then, the state isn't doing well economically. 691 00:33:26,003 --> 00:33:30,883 Nor is it doing well with our good old drug epidemic, so... 692 00:33:30,967 --> 00:33:33,136 it's difficult for a lot of people 693 00:33:33,219 --> 00:33:35,805 to leave for a lot of different reasons. 694 00:33:39,142 --> 00:33:42,103 You can't do much in creativity here. 695 00:33:42,186 --> 00:33:43,938 I mean you can't do anything 696 00:33:44,021 --> 00:33:46,774 except fast food, retail, and working at a plant. 697 00:33:46,858 --> 00:33:49,152 But if you can leave West Virginia, 698 00:33:49,235 --> 00:33:53,072 which I'd say about 5% of the people who live here do, 699 00:33:53,156 --> 00:33:54,991 uh, there are jobs out there, 700 00:33:55,074 --> 00:33:57,410 and I just don't think teachers 701 00:33:57,493 --> 00:34:00,288 expect us to leave the state. 702 00:34:00,371 --> 00:34:03,207 It almost feels like a pipe dream to some people. 703 00:34:03,291 --> 00:34:07,253 It's like, "Hey, I'm gonna go rent a unicorn for the weekend, 704 00:34:07,336 --> 00:34:10,089 I'm gonna go move to Pittsburgh," you know. 705 00:34:10,173 --> 00:34:13,384 (laughs) Those two are about on the same level to some people. 706 00:34:13,468 --> 00:34:15,803 ♪ ♪ 707 00:34:19,390 --> 00:34:21,476 -student: Whoo-hoo! -David: Here we go. 708 00:34:25,271 --> 00:34:26,856 Ready? Here we go. 709 00:34:26,939 --> 00:34:29,442 One, two, three... 710 00:34:29,525 --> 00:34:32,111 ♪ Ooo, ooo ♪ 711 00:34:32,195 --> 00:34:33,654 ♪ Hey, hey... ♪ 712 00:34:33,738 --> 00:34:37,450 David: Kyle is a full-time public theater teacher. 713 00:34:37,533 --> 00:34:41,454 I'm a composer and I work primarily in musical theater, 714 00:34:41,537 --> 00:34:44,957 but when we wrote, we had... I was like, 715 00:34:45,041 --> 00:34:46,959 "Okay, we're going to write this musical, 716 00:34:47,043 --> 00:34:49,295 but it needs to be good enough to be a Broadway musical." 717 00:34:49,378 --> 00:34:51,297 I'm not going to lower my expectations 718 00:34:51,380 --> 00:34:53,049 because we're writing this in Granite Bay. 719 00:34:53,132 --> 00:34:55,176 We're going to write a Broadway musical. 720 00:34:55,259 --> 00:34:58,387 Kyle: We knew that we didn't necessarily have the clout 721 00:34:58,471 --> 00:35:00,765 or the funds on our own 722 00:35:00,848 --> 00:35:03,434 to drive something to New York City 723 00:35:03,518 --> 00:35:04,811 and we would need help. 724 00:35:04,894 --> 00:35:07,396 So our strategy from the very beginning was, 725 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:10,900 "Let's put together a studio recording of some music from the show 726 00:35:10,983 --> 00:35:12,443 and then let's license it 727 00:35:12,527 --> 00:35:14,487 to as many schools as possible." 728 00:35:14,570 --> 00:35:16,656 David: But then Mindy Cooper, 729 00:35:16,739 --> 00:35:19,659 who's a Broadway performer and choreographer, said, 730 00:35:19,742 --> 00:35:21,661 "Take it to New York and do a reading," 731 00:35:21,744 --> 00:35:24,163 and I was like, "What?" Like, "We can just do that?" 732 00:35:24,247 --> 00:35:26,290 And she says, "Yeah, let's workshop the show 733 00:35:26,374 --> 00:35:29,043 and then take it to New York and pitch it to producers." 734 00:35:29,126 --> 00:35:31,254 (upbeat piano music playing) 735 00:35:35,758 --> 00:35:39,053 David: The plan is to just get some investors on board 736 00:35:39,136 --> 00:35:42,098 so we can hopefully do an off-Broadway production. 737 00:35:42,181 --> 00:35:44,559 Kyle: We're gonna work with a casting director, 738 00:35:44,642 --> 00:35:46,686 and we're gonna go out and hire a bunch of 739 00:35:46,769 --> 00:35:49,021 working Broadway actors to be in our show. 740 00:35:49,105 --> 00:35:51,607 Has much to work on... 741 00:35:51,691 --> 00:35:54,360 -woman: Ghalangi! -Ghalangi: Hello. 742 00:35:54,443 --> 00:35:56,028 -Kyle: Ghalangi. -David: Hello! 743 00:35:56,112 --> 00:35:57,864 Mindy Cooper: Thanks for being here. 744 00:35:57,947 --> 00:36:00,366 -We'll have you sing first. -Ghalangi: All right. 745 00:36:00,449 --> 00:36:01,492 (piano plays intro) 746 00:36:01,576 --> 00:36:03,870 ♪ You know my dad ♪ 747 00:36:03,953 --> 00:36:06,205 ♪ He used to tell me ♪ 748 00:36:06,289 --> 00:36:08,583 ♪ What life was like before rank redemption ♪ 749 00:36:08,666 --> 00:36:13,796 ♪ Well, of course they had ranks back then but not like this ♪ 750 00:36:13,880 --> 00:36:18,718 ♪ School was fun, there were dances ♪ 751 00:36:18,801 --> 00:36:21,262 ♪ Can you imagine a world ♪ 752 00:36:21,345 --> 00:36:23,890 ♪ Where I could talk with a cute girl ♪ 753 00:36:23,973 --> 00:36:26,434 ♪ And ranks never came up once? ♪ 754 00:36:26,517 --> 00:36:29,103 ♪ Don't think so much ♪ 755 00:36:29,186 --> 00:36:31,022 ♪ It's not a big deal ♪ 756 00:36:31,105 --> 00:36:33,274 ♪ Sometimes life sucks ♪ 757 00:36:33,357 --> 00:36:35,401 ♪ It's rarely ideal ♪ 758 00:36:35,484 --> 00:36:39,030 ♪ Don't think so much ♪ 759 00:36:39,113 --> 00:36:42,241 ♪ I tell myself not to freak out ♪ 760 00:36:42,325 --> 00:36:45,786 ♪ 'Cause you know that totally always works ♪ 761 00:36:45,870 --> 00:36:48,956 ♪ "Just breathe, you'll be fine" ♪ 762 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:52,460 ♪ That's nice but it's not really helping ♪ 763 00:36:52,543 --> 00:36:55,338 ♪ Although I don't wanna do this ♪ 764 00:36:55,421 --> 00:36:58,424 ♪ I know the only way out is to go through this ♪ 765 00:36:58,507 --> 00:37:00,009 ♪ Why does it feel so wrong? ♪ 766 00:37:00,092 --> 00:37:02,011 ♪ I don't know where I belong ♪ 767 00:37:02,094 --> 00:37:05,264 ♪ I just know where I'm not meant to be ♪ 768 00:37:05,348 --> 00:37:08,976 ♪ I don't want to hurry up and wait ♪ 769 00:37:09,060 --> 00:37:12,480 ♪ To then find out that I'm still too late ♪ 770 00:37:12,563 --> 00:37:16,275 ♪ I keep yelling, "This is not my fate!" ♪ 771 00:37:16,359 --> 00:37:17,985 ♪ To work harder ♪ 772 00:37:18,069 --> 00:37:19,528 ♪ Work smarter ♪ 773 00:37:19,612 --> 00:37:26,285 ♪ Is this my fate? ♪ 774 00:37:26,369 --> 00:37:32,625 ♪ Is this my fate? ♪ 775 00:37:32,708 --> 00:37:34,919 ♪ To work harder ♪ 776 00:37:35,002 --> 00:37:36,754 (sighs) 777 00:37:36,837 --> 00:37:39,090 ♪ ♪ 778 00:37:41,592 --> 00:37:47,932 ♪ Just breathe, you'll be fine ♪ 779 00:37:48,015 --> 00:37:51,018 -(indistinct comments) -(laughter) 780 00:37:51,102 --> 00:37:54,188 Does this show sort of, do you find resonant...? 781 00:37:54,271 --> 00:37:57,024 -Whooo! Do I? -(laughter) 782 00:37:57,108 --> 00:37:59,318 Um... I feel like this show was literally 783 00:37:59,402 --> 00:38:02,530 written about my high school experience. 784 00:38:02,613 --> 00:38:05,366 I hated high school. 785 00:38:05,449 --> 00:38:07,493 I would wake up feeling, every day, 786 00:38:07,576 --> 00:38:10,955 just feeling like, this is not my place. 787 00:38:11,038 --> 00:38:14,000 I went to a high school and ended up leaving, 788 00:38:14,083 --> 00:38:15,960 actually, for my senior year, 789 00:38:16,043 --> 00:38:18,713 to do theater school in a different state 790 00:38:18,796 --> 00:38:23,175 'cause the academia world was insane. 791 00:38:23,259 --> 00:38:26,220 Mindy: People have flown in from all over the country, 792 00:38:26,303 --> 00:38:29,390 as we've been learning over the last day or so, 793 00:38:29,473 --> 00:38:32,435 and that's exciting and wonderful. 794 00:38:32,518 --> 00:38:34,854 -I live in San Diego. -Did you fly in for us? 795 00:38:34,937 --> 00:38:36,480 -Yes. -Oh, wow. 796 00:38:36,564 --> 00:38:39,191 Of course, no, I was super happy to be here. 797 00:38:39,275 --> 00:38:41,360 -Maryland? -Uh, I'm in Baltimore. Yep. 798 00:38:41,444 --> 00:38:44,864 My flight goes back to Birmingham tonight at nine o'clock. 799 00:38:44,947 --> 00:38:46,949 -Um... -David: If you're 18 800 00:38:47,033 --> 00:38:49,201 and you flew all the way across the country 801 00:38:49,285 --> 00:38:50,911 for an audition in New York, 802 00:38:50,995 --> 00:38:52,371 that's a huge sacrifice. 803 00:38:52,455 --> 00:38:54,331 To know that they went through all of that 804 00:38:54,415 --> 00:38:56,167 just because they cared about it a lot, 805 00:38:56,250 --> 00:38:57,960 and they connect with the material. 806 00:38:58,044 --> 00:38:59,545 (piano playing) 807 00:38:59,628 --> 00:39:01,922 (sighs) 808 00:39:02,006 --> 00:39:06,385 ♪ I know your world is crashing down ♪ 809 00:39:06,469 --> 00:39:09,013 ♪ And as you hit the ground ♪ 810 00:39:09,096 --> 00:39:11,766 ♪ Nobody hears a sound ♪ 811 00:39:11,849 --> 00:39:14,393 ♪ When someone has to lose ♪ 812 00:39:14,477 --> 00:39:16,979 ♪ Take a guess at who gets screwed ♪ 813 00:39:17,063 --> 00:39:19,231 ♪ You need it clearer ♪ 814 00:39:19,315 --> 00:39:21,734 ♪ You need a mirror ♪ 815 00:39:21,817 --> 00:39:26,864 ♪ Someone always bleeds ♪ 816 00:39:26,947 --> 00:39:30,910 ♪ Someone always bleeds ♪ 817 00:39:30,993 --> 00:39:33,621 ♪ Today it's me ♪ 818 00:39:33,704 --> 00:39:36,540 -♪ Tomorrow it's you ♪ -(singer turning pages) 819 00:39:36,624 --> 00:39:38,584 ♪ Second view ♪ (laughs) 820 00:39:38,667 --> 00:39:41,170 ♪ Get a better view ♪ 821 00:39:41,253 --> 00:39:43,339 ♪ Maybe we're all pawns ♪ 822 00:39:43,422 --> 00:39:46,050 ♪ Maybe we got played ♪ 823 00:39:46,133 --> 00:39:48,761 ♪ When you're drowning in textbooks ♪ 824 00:39:48,844 --> 00:39:51,347 ♪ You can't see that your grade ♪ 825 00:39:51,430 --> 00:39:55,059 ♪ Is a part of the game ♪ 826 00:39:55,142 --> 00:39:58,062 -I'm s-- -Kyle: No, don't apologize for anything. 827 00:39:58,145 --> 00:39:59,939 Don't apologize. We're all theater people. 828 00:40:00,022 --> 00:40:01,774 -singer: All right, cool. -No shame. 829 00:40:01,857 --> 00:40:03,859 Thank you, thank you, guys. 830 00:40:03,943 --> 00:40:06,070 -Thank you. -David: Thank you. 831 00:40:09,740 --> 00:40:11,909 Mindy: I've been running auditions for 30 years. 832 00:40:11,992 --> 00:40:14,161 I've never cried in the room. 833 00:40:14,245 --> 00:40:17,456 -David: You're getting soft. -It's just so potent. 834 00:40:17,540 --> 00:40:19,458 They're so young, and... 835 00:40:19,542 --> 00:40:22,962 That's true! We're getting very, very young. 836 00:40:23,045 --> 00:40:27,174 -Yeah. -And it's just so unfettered. 837 00:40:27,258 --> 00:40:28,551 Kyle: Mm-hmm. 838 00:40:28,634 --> 00:40:30,761 -That's what we need though. -Yeah. 839 00:40:33,597 --> 00:40:36,058 David: This has been my dream for my whole life, 840 00:40:36,142 --> 00:40:40,271 to have a musical produced in New York. 841 00:40:40,354 --> 00:40:41,814 It's starting to happen 842 00:40:41,897 --> 00:40:43,607 and that feels really, really cool. 843 00:40:43,691 --> 00:40:45,860 (soft string music playing) 844 00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:52,324 (music fades) 845 00:40:52,408 --> 00:40:53,993 (distant siren wailing) 846 00:41:01,917 --> 00:41:04,044 (indistinct chatter) 847 00:41:09,175 --> 00:41:12,845 -(laughter) -student: Me too. 848 00:41:12,928 --> 00:41:15,598 My life with a Clorox wipe. 849 00:41:15,681 --> 00:41:17,933 Kami: Last week, we got word 850 00:41:18,017 --> 00:41:21,145 from the county public health department 851 00:41:21,228 --> 00:41:25,024 that they were recommending some pretty restrictive changes 852 00:41:25,107 --> 00:41:27,276 to how schools were operating. 853 00:41:27,359 --> 00:41:30,196 It's unprecedented in our lifetime, 854 00:41:30,279 --> 00:41:31,947 what's happening right now. 855 00:41:32,031 --> 00:41:34,200 There have been other contagions. 856 00:41:34,283 --> 00:41:36,243 They have not spread this quickly 857 00:41:36,327 --> 00:41:40,039 to as many places on the planet. 858 00:41:40,122 --> 00:41:44,126 We are scheduled for six live performances 859 00:41:44,210 --> 00:41:47,713 and none of those are gonna happen. 860 00:41:47,796 --> 00:41:51,926 We are hoping to do one show that is filmed, 861 00:41:52,009 --> 00:41:54,553 so that the kids get to perform it on stage, 862 00:41:54,637 --> 00:41:56,013 but that instead of an audience, 863 00:41:56,096 --> 00:41:57,556 we have a video camera. 864 00:41:57,640 --> 00:41:59,558 woman: Why not just cancel the play? 865 00:41:59,642 --> 00:42:02,061 Why put it on for no audience? 866 00:42:02,144 --> 00:42:04,438 Well, because of the kids. 867 00:42:06,148 --> 00:42:08,234 You don't just cancel a play. 868 00:42:10,486 --> 00:42:13,072 That's, like, unthinkable. 869 00:42:13,155 --> 00:42:15,366 Theater has existed in, like, 870 00:42:15,449 --> 00:42:18,244 the worst places all over the world. 871 00:42:18,327 --> 00:42:19,828 It existed during the plague 872 00:42:19,912 --> 00:42:21,747 and it exists in refugee camps. 873 00:42:21,830 --> 00:42:24,250 It existed in concentration camps. 874 00:42:24,333 --> 00:42:26,961 It exists. It's the... 875 00:42:27,044 --> 00:42:29,296 the deck chairs on the Titanic, you're just gonna, 876 00:42:29,380 --> 00:42:32,591 just gonna to do it... until you can't, you know. 877 00:42:37,054 --> 00:42:38,973 Kami: (over loudspeaker) Good morning, Cupertino. 878 00:42:39,056 --> 00:42:41,976 This is Ms. Tomberlain. I'm sorry to interrupt class. 879 00:42:42,059 --> 00:42:45,020 I want you to know this is not an emergency. 880 00:42:45,104 --> 00:42:47,106 Beginning Monday, 881 00:42:47,189 --> 00:42:50,276 Cupertino High School will be closed 882 00:42:50,359 --> 00:42:55,114 in response to the COVID-19 virus. 883 00:42:55,197 --> 00:42:59,368 So, right now, we're looking at three weeks, schools closed, 884 00:42:59,451 --> 00:43:01,161 online education. 885 00:43:01,245 --> 00:43:05,958 Um, we want to keep everybody safe and everybody healthy. 886 00:43:06,041 --> 00:43:07,668 Thank you very much, 887 00:43:07,751 --> 00:43:10,963 and I will be sending out more information shortly. 888 00:43:11,046 --> 00:43:12,673 -Hi. -student: Hello. 889 00:43:12,756 --> 00:43:16,260 This is the day we didn't want to have to have. 890 00:43:16,343 --> 00:43:17,886 Um... 891 00:43:17,970 --> 00:43:22,016 I think that Megan and I would like to go over to the theater 892 00:43:22,099 --> 00:43:25,394 so that we can all put our show 893 00:43:25,477 --> 00:43:29,523 into a state of suspended animation. 894 00:43:29,606 --> 00:43:32,860 (somber music playing) 895 00:43:36,113 --> 00:43:39,450 Every time I get to spend time in a circle like this, 896 00:43:39,533 --> 00:43:42,453 I realize how lucky I am. 897 00:43:42,536 --> 00:43:47,374 We were lucky to have been here, we were lucky to have cared. 898 00:43:47,458 --> 00:43:49,877 So... 899 00:43:49,960 --> 00:43:51,795 we don't know what's gonna happen now. 900 00:43:51,879 --> 00:43:55,174 Except for the next thing we're gonna do is clap and we'll jump, 901 00:43:55,257 --> 00:43:57,926 and something will happen then. 902 00:43:58,010 --> 00:44:00,554 One, two, three. 903 00:44:05,309 --> 00:44:06,894 That's settled. 904 00:44:16,278 --> 00:44:19,698 Christina: Obviously, we need to talk about, um, 905 00:44:19,782 --> 00:44:22,701 things getting shut down on us today. Okay? 906 00:44:22,785 --> 00:44:24,203 So first we got the announcement 907 00:44:24,286 --> 00:44:26,205 that it was just after-school activities 908 00:44:26,288 --> 00:44:29,500 that would be closed until April 10th, 909 00:44:29,583 --> 00:44:32,086 which was the weekend we were going to perform. 910 00:44:32,169 --> 00:44:35,839 Um, and then it came that the governor 911 00:44:35,923 --> 00:44:38,967 totally shut down schools for the state. 912 00:44:39,051 --> 00:44:43,013 -So, let's hope this gets over within a month. -I really hope so. 913 00:44:43,097 --> 00:44:44,932 Christina: I'm hoping we're back after spring break, 914 00:44:45,015 --> 00:44:47,309 but I'm also not holding my breath. 915 00:44:48,977 --> 00:44:50,896 Evan: This feels pretty damn real. 916 00:44:50,979 --> 00:44:54,566 The school's closing down, and I don't know when it's coming back. 917 00:44:54,650 --> 00:44:56,485 Everything else is closing too. 918 00:44:56,568 --> 00:44:59,655 It's crazy. It's crazy right now. 919 00:44:59,738 --> 00:45:02,616 Jane: I'm disappointed that the musical got canceled 920 00:45:02,699 --> 00:45:04,993 because that's like, that's my moment where I shine. 921 00:45:05,077 --> 00:45:08,122 It's like the sports kids, they don't get to finish their season, 922 00:45:08,205 --> 00:45:11,750 they don't get to be like the senior all-star athlete. 923 00:45:11,834 --> 00:45:15,170 This is as close as we come to being an all-star athlete. 924 00:45:19,883 --> 00:45:21,677 Kyle: David and I were having conversations 925 00:45:21,760 --> 00:45:24,388 with each other about the coronavirus, 926 00:45:26,056 --> 00:45:27,975 really wondering, are we gonna 927 00:45:28,058 --> 00:45:29,268 be able to get to New York 928 00:45:29,351 --> 00:45:30,853 and do our reading and get out 929 00:45:30,936 --> 00:45:33,147 before this happens? 930 00:45:33,230 --> 00:45:35,649 Two days before we were supposed to get on a plane to New York, 931 00:45:35,732 --> 00:45:38,110 the NBA season cancels. 932 00:45:38,193 --> 00:45:40,195 reporter: ...concerns have prompted the NBA 933 00:45:40,279 --> 00:45:42,448 to scrap its entire remaining season. 934 00:45:42,531 --> 00:45:43,782 Kyle: We wake up Thursday morning, 935 00:45:43,866 --> 00:45:45,409 and that's when Broadway closes. 936 00:45:45,492 --> 00:45:47,119 reporter: At 5 p.m. Thursday, 937 00:45:47,202 --> 00:45:49,371 Broadway officially went dark. 938 00:45:49,455 --> 00:45:54,084 Kyle: Broadway was closing for the first time since September 11th. 939 00:45:55,669 --> 00:45:58,046 David: It was an "oh shit" moment, 940 00:45:58,130 --> 00:46:01,341 where your stomach sort of turns over a little bit, 941 00:46:01,425 --> 00:46:06,513 and everyone felt that in the entire world. 942 00:46:06,597 --> 00:46:09,850 Um, we were just two more people who felt that. 943 00:46:09,933 --> 00:46:12,311 (pensive music playing) 944 00:46:29,161 --> 00:46:31,830 ♪ Everybody's angry ♪ 945 00:46:31,914 --> 00:46:34,041 ♪ Everybody's screamin' ♪ 946 00:46:34,124 --> 00:46:35,667 ♪ They want someone to blame ♪ 947 00:46:35,751 --> 00:46:38,337 ♪ But what's the real reason? ♪ 948 00:46:38,420 --> 00:46:39,755 ♪ I tried to heed your advice ♪ 949 00:46:39,838 --> 00:46:41,882 ♪ Just keep my eye on the prize ♪ 950 00:46:41,965 --> 00:46:44,051 ♪ Now take a breath and be fine ♪ 951 00:46:44,134 --> 00:46:48,388 ♪ Do what it takes to survive ♪ 952 00:46:48,472 --> 00:46:54,853 ♪ Till we run out of time ♪ 953 00:46:54,937 --> 00:46:56,730 ♪ Tell me this is a dream ♪ 954 00:46:56,813 --> 00:46:59,107 ♪ It's not as bad as it seems ♪ 955 00:46:59,191 --> 00:47:01,026 ♪ Still what I don't understand ♪ 956 00:47:01,109 --> 00:47:03,862 ♪ Is how this got so out of hand ♪ 957 00:47:03,946 --> 00:47:05,614 ♪ So someone's cheating ♪ 958 00:47:05,697 --> 00:47:07,991 ♪ Someone's always cheating ♪ 959 00:47:08,075 --> 00:47:09,660 ♪ Always lying, always fighting ♪ 960 00:47:09,743 --> 00:47:11,036 ♪ Always crying ♪ 961 00:47:11,119 --> 00:47:14,706 ♪ Make it go away ♪ 962 00:47:14,790 --> 00:47:17,543 ♪ Will this go ♪ 963 00:47:17,626 --> 00:47:23,590 ♪ Away? ♪ 964 00:47:23,674 --> 00:47:26,969 ♪ It's about time that I ♪ 965 00:47:27,052 --> 00:47:29,054 ♪ Found peace of mind ♪ 966 00:47:29,137 --> 00:47:33,100 ♪ After all, I followed where I was led ♪ 967 00:47:33,183 --> 00:47:37,855 ♪ I've been told that once I get older ♪ 968 00:47:37,938 --> 00:47:39,565 ♪ I'll be fine ♪ 969 00:47:39,648 --> 00:47:45,279 ♪ I'll see it was all in my head ♪ 970 00:47:46,989 --> 00:47:51,159 ♪ It's not all in my head ♪ 971 00:47:51,243 --> 00:47:55,664 So, I've been self-quarantining for about a week now. 972 00:47:55,747 --> 00:47:58,417 I believe it's day... 973 00:47:58,500 --> 00:48:00,794 day 12 or... 974 00:48:00,877 --> 00:48:04,006 12, I think, of, of quarantine. 975 00:48:04,089 --> 00:48:06,633 This is the first time I've ever had to do 976 00:48:06,717 --> 00:48:10,012 any form of online school. 977 00:48:10,095 --> 00:48:12,764 And it feels weird. 978 00:48:12,848 --> 00:48:16,810 Okay, I have not gone outside ever 979 00:48:16,893 --> 00:48:18,186 in these two weeks. 980 00:48:18,270 --> 00:48:20,939 I haven't even stepped foot outside my door. 981 00:48:21,023 --> 00:48:23,650 Not this door, like outside my front door. 982 00:48:25,569 --> 00:48:28,947 Ojas: It's day 36 of quarantine. 983 00:48:29,031 --> 00:48:31,116 I'm noticing that I'm sort of forgetting 984 00:48:31,199 --> 00:48:33,285 how to have a conversation with other humans. 985 00:48:33,368 --> 00:48:35,454 Could be a Tuesday, could be a Wednesday. 986 00:48:35,537 --> 00:48:38,123 I'm pretty sure neither of those are correct though. 987 00:48:38,206 --> 00:48:42,252 I think, and I hope that this will be over 988 00:48:42,336 --> 00:48:44,838 in a month or two, maybe? 989 00:48:44,921 --> 00:48:48,717 I've heard that we're not getting, like, a vaccine for a year. 990 00:48:48,800 --> 00:48:51,428 God, that sounds terrible. 991 00:48:51,511 --> 00:48:56,016 Senih: My sleep schedule is now completely flipped. 992 00:48:56,099 --> 00:48:57,851 I will sleep at around 4 a.m., 993 00:48:57,934 --> 00:49:02,689 and I'll wake up at around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. 994 00:49:02,773 --> 00:49:04,650 It's not very healthy for me. 995 00:49:04,733 --> 00:49:08,570 We found out that someone just down the road 996 00:49:08,654 --> 00:49:11,365 was positive for the virus. 997 00:49:12,491 --> 00:49:14,743 And that's very unnerving. 998 00:49:14,826 --> 00:49:16,828 Of course I can Facetime my friends, 999 00:49:16,912 --> 00:49:18,830 but it's not, it's not the same, 1000 00:49:18,914 --> 00:49:21,041 and... 1001 00:49:21,124 --> 00:49:25,754 I don't think it's really good for anyone's mental health. 1002 00:49:25,837 --> 00:49:28,548 Purvi: I'm feeling really confused 1003 00:49:28,632 --> 00:49:31,760 and just sort of disoriented, 1004 00:49:31,843 --> 00:49:34,763 and I'm not really sure what to do at the moment. 1005 00:49:34,846 --> 00:49:37,307 Barbara: I'm really uncertain 1006 00:49:37,391 --> 00:49:39,726 with how my grades are gonna turn out 1007 00:49:39,810 --> 00:49:42,979 and how that's gonna affect my college admissions 1008 00:49:43,063 --> 00:49:45,357 and which college I choose. 1009 00:49:45,440 --> 00:49:48,735 I don't think I can do this for another five weeks. 1010 00:49:48,819 --> 00:49:49,945 (laughs) 1011 00:49:50,028 --> 00:49:52,489 I'll try, I have to, but... 1012 00:49:56,993 --> 00:49:58,829 It's boring, dude. 1013 00:49:58,912 --> 00:50:00,247 It sucks. 1014 00:50:00,330 --> 00:50:03,917 I hate it. I want to go back to school. 1015 00:50:24,354 --> 00:50:26,565 Kyle: Theaters aren't meant to be empty. 1016 00:50:26,648 --> 00:50:29,901 There's 500 seats here. Like, people are supposed to be in them. 1017 00:50:31,361 --> 00:50:33,196 Christina: For a lot of kids, 1018 00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:37,492 theater is where they find the place where they belong. 1019 00:50:37,576 --> 00:50:41,288 The arts is what's getting cut out. 1020 00:50:41,371 --> 00:50:45,584 You really can't do theater very well with a mask on your face. 1021 00:50:45,667 --> 00:50:48,670 Arcadia: There really hasn't been a time in my life 1022 00:50:48,754 --> 00:50:50,797 where I haven't been backstage, 1023 00:50:50,881 --> 00:50:53,341 on stage, around stage. 1024 00:50:53,425 --> 00:50:56,762 Not knowing what it's going to look like to move forward 1025 00:50:56,845 --> 00:50:59,139 is the part that is the hardest. 1026 00:51:09,024 --> 00:51:11,860 What the fuck do we do now? 1027 00:51:11,943 --> 00:51:14,571 Even if this dies down over summer 1028 00:51:14,654 --> 00:51:18,366 and we get all of our ducks in a row and we're back in New York in July 1029 00:51:18,450 --> 00:51:23,914 because we can be, is there even gonna be a market for theater then? 1030 00:51:23,997 --> 00:51:28,043 David: After the descent into despair, 1031 00:51:28,126 --> 00:51:31,421 the Broadway dream being on pause... 1032 00:51:31,505 --> 00:51:34,257 brought us back to why we wrote the show in the first place. 1033 00:51:34,341 --> 00:51:37,385 We wrote the show for the students. 1034 00:51:37,469 --> 00:51:39,304 (playing introduction to "Hamilton") 1035 00:51:39,387 --> 00:51:42,307 ♪ How does a bastard orphan... ♪ 1036 00:51:42,390 --> 00:51:45,852 Kyle: And then theater started happening online. 1037 00:51:45,936 --> 00:51:48,480 ♪ Oh, oh, oh, you can't stop today... ♪ 1038 00:51:48,563 --> 00:51:51,316 -♪ No! ♪ -♪ As it comes speeding round the tracks ♪ 1039 00:51:51,399 --> 00:51:54,236 -♪ Oo-oo-ooh! ♪ -♪ Child, yesterday is history... ♪ 1040 00:51:54,319 --> 00:51:57,823 -♪ Be gone! ♪ -♪ And it's never comin' back! ♪ 1041 00:51:57,906 --> 00:52:00,492 -(frenetic drums beating) -Kyle: We started to see 1042 00:52:00,575 --> 00:52:04,329 these professionals get a little innovative and creative. 1043 00:52:04,412 --> 00:52:06,873 We realized there was no reason 1044 00:52:06,957 --> 00:52:10,544 "Ranked" couldn't also be adapted for that venue. 1045 00:52:11,628 --> 00:52:13,505 ♪ Why do I always feel so... ♪ 1046 00:52:13,588 --> 00:52:15,090 ♪ Why do I always feel so... ♪ 1047 00:52:15,173 --> 00:52:19,469 ♪ Why do I always feel so forgotten? ♪ 1048 00:52:19,553 --> 00:52:22,722 ♪ Just breathe, you'll be fine ♪ 1049 00:52:22,806 --> 00:52:27,227 ♪ You're drowning, you're drowning, you're drowning ♪ 1050 00:52:27,310 --> 00:52:30,772 Kyle: We really pivoted our efforts to getting "Ranked" 1051 00:52:30,856 --> 00:52:33,733 to more high schools. 1052 00:52:33,817 --> 00:52:37,153 Welcome to today's episode of the "Average Update." 1053 00:52:37,237 --> 00:52:39,865 -We're coming to you live. -Live! 1054 00:52:39,948 --> 00:52:43,034 For the special midterm edition of the class rank update. 1055 00:52:43,118 --> 00:52:45,495 -I'm Nate Huge. -And I'm Kelly Stewart! 1056 00:52:45,579 --> 00:52:49,916 Midterms are over, and it's time to see how the cards, or ranks, fell! 1057 00:52:50,000 --> 00:52:52,919 Yay! 1058 00:52:53,003 --> 00:52:57,507 -That is so good! -That was literally amazing! 1059 00:52:57,591 --> 00:53:00,427 It's just so special to us that students 1060 00:53:00,510 --> 00:53:03,263 get to be the ones to bring "Ranked" to New York 1061 00:53:03,346 --> 00:53:04,764 for its debut. 1062 00:53:04,848 --> 00:53:07,934 We're just so appreciative that y'all are able to give this 1063 00:53:08,018 --> 00:53:10,145 some New York life. 1064 00:53:10,228 --> 00:53:12,939 (string quartet playing) 1065 00:53:17,193 --> 00:53:21,990 Linda Key: In the Bronx, many students are just hungry, 1066 00:53:22,073 --> 00:53:25,118 hungry to succeed. 1067 00:53:27,662 --> 00:53:31,249 A lot of the kids come from single-parent homes. 1068 00:53:31,333 --> 00:53:34,628 We have students who might have to stay at home 1069 00:53:34,711 --> 00:53:36,630 to take care of siblings because 1070 00:53:36,713 --> 00:53:38,298 both parents are working. 1071 00:53:38,381 --> 00:53:40,842 The reality for a lot of my kids is 1072 00:53:40,926 --> 00:53:43,887 they're in a smaller apartment with lots of family members. 1073 00:53:43,970 --> 00:53:45,889 Many of their parents 1074 00:53:45,972 --> 00:53:48,475 are working triple shifts. 1075 00:53:48,558 --> 00:53:50,352 College represents 1076 00:53:50,435 --> 00:53:52,395 a way for them to raise 1077 00:53:52,479 --> 00:53:54,272 their economic state. 1078 00:53:54,356 --> 00:53:56,441 I mean, that's a huge thing. 1079 00:53:56,524 --> 00:54:00,612 For our communities, education is your... your key to success. 1080 00:54:00,695 --> 00:54:03,990 Something that we're constantly communicating to students 1081 00:54:04,074 --> 00:54:06,493 is what it means to be above average. 1082 00:54:06,576 --> 00:54:08,453 Like, if you want to get into the top school, 1083 00:54:08,536 --> 00:54:10,330 you have to be above average. 1084 00:54:10,413 --> 00:54:13,208 Welcome to today's episode of the "Average Update." 1085 00:54:13,291 --> 00:54:15,585 We're coming to you live with a new-- 1086 00:54:15,669 --> 00:54:17,671 Ooh, with a special. 1087 00:54:17,754 --> 00:54:19,339 I'm Nate Huge! 1088 00:54:19,422 --> 00:54:21,007 Or like, a little... I'm Nate Huge! 1089 00:54:21,091 --> 00:54:24,177 Something like that, I gotta put my little coolness in it. 1090 00:54:24,260 --> 00:54:26,513 Linda: In many ways, the arts is our glue 1091 00:54:26,596 --> 00:54:28,640 during this pandemic. 1092 00:54:28,723 --> 00:54:30,308 ♪ You're number one ♪ 1093 00:54:30,392 --> 00:54:33,144 ♪ Now you're 30, now down to... ♪ 1094 00:54:33,228 --> 00:54:35,897 Isiah: The streets are empty, there's nobody outside. 1095 00:54:35,981 --> 00:54:39,150 Even when I'm inside, it's like I can play the game, 1096 00:54:39,234 --> 00:54:41,152 I can watch TV, I can practice lines, 1097 00:54:41,236 --> 00:54:45,198 but after I do those things, what is there for me to do? 1098 00:54:45,281 --> 00:54:47,158 Like a repeating cycle, 1099 00:54:47,242 --> 00:54:50,495 like every day doing the same thing. 1100 00:54:50,578 --> 00:54:55,583 ♪ We need to come up for air ♪ 1101 00:54:55,667 --> 00:54:58,378 ♪ Take a look around ♪ 1102 00:54:58,461 --> 00:55:00,588 ♪ You're almost there ♪ 1103 00:55:00,672 --> 00:55:02,841 Nahiely: Everybody's struggling right now. 1104 00:55:02,924 --> 00:55:06,219 It sucks that I can't be in class with my friends. 1105 00:55:06,302 --> 00:55:09,973 The pandemic made everything turn upside down, 1106 00:55:10,056 --> 00:55:14,019 and it isn't just a pandemic happening. 1107 00:55:14,102 --> 00:55:17,022 protestors: I can't breathe! I can't breathe! 1108 00:55:17,105 --> 00:55:19,190 reporter: Demonstrations continue today 1109 00:55:19,274 --> 00:55:23,028 as people took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd. 1110 00:55:23,111 --> 00:55:25,613 -protestors: George Floyd! -leader: Say his name! 1111 00:55:25,697 --> 00:55:28,491 -George Floyd! George Floyd! -Say his name! 1112 00:55:28,575 --> 00:55:33,455 Isiah: It's scary to see how the world really is. 1113 00:55:33,538 --> 00:55:36,458 I'm no different from George Floyd. 1114 00:55:36,541 --> 00:55:38,835 The same thing that they did to him, 1115 00:55:38,918 --> 00:55:40,670 that could have been me out there, 1116 00:55:40,754 --> 00:55:43,173 and I wouldn't wish that on anybody. 1117 00:55:43,256 --> 00:55:45,091 protestors: I can't breathe! I can't breathe! 1118 00:55:45,175 --> 00:55:46,760 I can't breathe! I can't breathe! 1119 00:55:46,843 --> 00:55:48,720 I can't breathe! I can't breathe! 1120 00:55:48,803 --> 00:55:51,014 Nahiely: I have friends that look like George Floyd. 1121 00:55:51,097 --> 00:55:53,892 My dad looks like George Floyd, so it's... 1122 00:55:53,975 --> 00:55:55,977 just really emotional for me. 1123 00:55:56,061 --> 00:55:57,896 -Say his name! -George Floyd! 1124 00:55:57,979 --> 00:55:59,397 -Say his name! -George Floyd! 1125 00:55:59,481 --> 00:56:00,899 Say his name! 1126 00:56:00,982 --> 00:56:02,817 Michael: I have a very hard time 1127 00:56:02,901 --> 00:56:04,694 with the George Floyd incident. 1128 00:56:04,778 --> 00:56:06,738 That along with, you know, 1129 00:56:06,821 --> 00:56:10,742 Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Emmett Till. 1130 00:56:10,825 --> 00:56:12,619 You know, the situations, right, 1131 00:56:12,702 --> 00:56:14,954 that we were experiencing centuries ago 1132 00:56:15,038 --> 00:56:17,582 are still happening, present day. 1133 00:56:17,665 --> 00:56:20,502 It's really hard for me to... 1134 00:56:20,585 --> 00:56:24,005 to put into words what I'm feeling... 1135 00:56:25,632 --> 00:56:27,217 Yeah. 1136 00:56:29,219 --> 00:56:31,429 protestors: No justice, no peace! 1137 00:56:31,513 --> 00:56:33,306 Michael: Our students are growing up 1138 00:56:33,389 --> 00:56:34,974 in a world where, unfortunately, 1139 00:56:35,058 --> 00:56:37,018 because of the color of their skin, 1140 00:56:37,102 --> 00:56:40,939 they're experiencing racism, oppression. 1141 00:56:41,022 --> 00:56:42,899 Nahiely: We're still drowning. 1142 00:56:42,982 --> 00:56:44,734 We haven't gotten much change. 1143 00:56:44,818 --> 00:56:47,487 We just keep seeing situations like this happen, 1144 00:56:47,570 --> 00:56:49,614 over and over and over again. 1145 00:56:51,366 --> 00:56:54,035 We haven't come up for air, yet. 1146 00:56:54,119 --> 00:56:57,997 We still have a long way to go before we can breathe. 1147 00:56:58,081 --> 00:57:04,337 ♪ It's time to come up for air ♪ 1148 00:57:04,420 --> 00:57:07,006 ♪ These waves keep crashing down ♪ 1149 00:57:07,090 --> 00:57:11,219 ♪ But we're still there ♪ 1150 00:57:11,302 --> 00:57:14,222 ♪ So push me down and spit me out ♪ 1151 00:57:14,305 --> 00:57:15,807 ♪ I found my ground ♪ 1152 00:57:15,890 --> 00:57:20,395 ♪ I'm not about to throw it all away ♪ 1153 00:57:20,478 --> 00:57:24,315 ♪ Because life won't play fair ♪ 1154 00:57:24,399 --> 00:57:30,113 ♪ I'm gonna come up for air ♪ 1155 00:57:31,865 --> 00:57:34,701 -(horn honks) -Lakin: At the time of me recording this, 1156 00:57:34,784 --> 00:57:37,579 we are going through the tragic events 1157 00:57:37,662 --> 00:57:41,332 surrounding George Floyd and his murder. 1158 00:57:41,416 --> 00:57:44,502 I am in high school. 1159 00:57:44,586 --> 00:57:47,380 I don't have a big following. 1160 00:57:47,463 --> 00:57:49,090 I try to do what I can by, like, 1161 00:57:49,174 --> 00:57:51,801 posting on social media to help educate people, 1162 00:57:51,885 --> 00:57:56,472 but it just really makes me feel powerless sometimes, you know, 1163 00:57:56,556 --> 00:57:59,684 when something huge like this goes on, 1164 00:57:59,767 --> 00:58:02,187 and you really, really wanna help. 1165 00:58:02,270 --> 00:58:03,813 (horn honks) 1166 00:58:06,399 --> 00:58:08,151 No hate in my holler! 1167 00:58:08,234 --> 00:58:09,694 No hate in my holler! 1168 00:58:09,777 --> 00:58:11,863 No hate in my holler! 1169 00:58:11,946 --> 00:58:13,865 Leo: The objective of today is kind of 1170 00:58:13,948 --> 00:58:15,825 just to educate and inform people. 1171 00:58:15,909 --> 00:58:17,160 Because, I mean, this is Ripley. 1172 00:58:17,243 --> 00:58:18,912 Like, it's a white prominent town. 1173 00:58:18,995 --> 00:58:22,040 So you have a lot of people saying, "all lives matter," 1174 00:58:22,123 --> 00:58:24,375 and things that are really racist. 1175 00:58:24,459 --> 00:58:26,920 Being in a small town is no excuse for ignorance. 1176 00:58:27,003 --> 00:58:29,964 man: We do have several armed counter-demonstrators 1177 00:58:30,048 --> 00:58:32,884 with signs saying they're backing the blue. 1178 00:58:32,967 --> 00:58:35,136 woman: We see a lot of second amendment folks here. 1179 00:58:35,220 --> 00:58:38,223 And they're saying they're here to keep it peaceful. Now, what do you make of that? 1180 00:58:38,306 --> 00:58:41,142 Do you think that that's their intentions? What's going on? 1181 00:58:41,226 --> 00:58:44,270 I think it's an intimidation factor. I think they're trying, yeah... 1182 00:58:44,354 --> 00:58:47,732 I think they're trying to, ya know, make us go away. 1183 00:58:47,815 --> 00:58:51,027 So you're, you're telling me that Black lives matter. 1184 00:58:51,110 --> 00:58:54,280 Okay, I agree with you. Do not all lives matter? 1185 00:58:54,364 --> 00:58:56,824 -Okay, so... -Do not all lives matter? 1186 00:58:56,908 --> 00:58:58,910 Leo: Can I explain it? So yeah, all lives do matter. 1187 00:58:58,993 --> 00:59:00,995 But the thing is that Black lives are, 1188 00:59:01,079 --> 00:59:03,665 they're going through a racial injustice within this country right now, 1189 00:59:03,748 --> 00:59:05,667 and we're trying to bring attention to their lives. 1190 00:59:05,750 --> 00:59:08,503 -Okay, wow. -(woman speaking): 1191 00:59:08,586 --> 00:59:11,381 -No. -Please? You're really close to me. 1192 00:59:11,464 --> 00:59:13,967 man: Okay, that's good. Did I offend you? 1193 00:59:14,050 --> 00:59:17,303 And you're over here, right in this lady's face with no mask on. 1194 00:59:17,387 --> 00:59:19,806 -That just shows you the kind of person you are. -Son! 1195 00:59:19,889 --> 00:59:23,351 -For one thing, you're as close to her-- -I got a mask on. 1196 00:59:23,434 --> 00:59:24,686 So what? So what? 1197 00:59:24,769 --> 00:59:27,897 Leo: And she didn't ask him to back off. 1198 00:59:27,981 --> 00:59:30,900 Taylor: It honestly really made me upset 1199 00:59:30,984 --> 00:59:34,279 that you have a bunch of middle-aged white men 1200 00:59:34,362 --> 00:59:36,197 walking down the street with, 1201 00:59:36,281 --> 00:59:38,116 you know, AR-15s on their backs 1202 00:59:38,199 --> 00:59:41,286 to try to scare these kids, you know, protesting 1203 00:59:41,369 --> 00:59:44,289 for something that actually means something. 1204 00:59:44,372 --> 00:59:47,041 Take it to the streets, 'cause he can't breathe. 1205 00:59:47,125 --> 00:59:48,751 No justice, no peace! 1206 00:59:48,835 --> 00:59:51,504 Take it to the streets, 'cause he can't breathe. 1207 00:59:51,587 --> 00:59:53,339 No justice, no peace! 1208 00:59:53,423 --> 00:59:57,844 Take it to the streets, 'cause he can't breathe. No justice, no peace! 1209 01:00:13,067 --> 01:00:16,446 emcee: Dalton Meyers, going to Ben Franklin to be an electrician. 1210 01:00:16,529 --> 01:00:19,866 -(scattered applause) -(indistinct chatter) 1211 01:00:19,949 --> 01:00:21,909 (laughs) I love you. 1212 01:00:21,993 --> 01:00:24,495 -I love you too, baby. -We love you. 1213 01:00:24,579 --> 01:00:27,540 I like your pins. I didn't even put mine on. 1214 01:00:27,623 --> 01:00:29,542 student: Dude, we match! 1215 01:00:31,669 --> 01:00:34,714 -Like, one of these? -Oh, yeah. 1216 01:00:34,797 --> 01:00:36,299 Get the sun out of it. 1217 01:00:36,382 --> 01:00:40,053 I would've rather had that traditional graduation, 1218 01:00:40,136 --> 01:00:41,846 but, I mean, this is cool too. 1219 01:00:41,929 --> 01:00:46,100 We have a parade, instead of, like, just a Zoom meeting. 1220 01:00:46,184 --> 01:00:49,145 -woman: Go, Anastasia! -emcee: Way to go, Class of 2020! 1221 01:00:49,228 --> 01:00:52,106 -woman: Good job, good job! -Anastasia, congratulations! 1222 01:00:52,190 --> 01:00:53,941 Anastasia: I pictured everything 1223 01:00:54,025 --> 01:00:56,486 differently than it actually is. 1224 01:00:56,569 --> 01:00:59,864 I'm gonna talk to my kids in really far future, being like, 1225 01:00:59,947 --> 01:01:03,368 "Yeah, I was the class who graduated during quarantine." 1226 01:01:05,119 --> 01:01:06,913 Barbara: I'm super relieved that 1227 01:01:06,996 --> 01:01:09,040 I actually have my diploma now, 1228 01:01:09,123 --> 01:01:10,291 even though the ceremony 1229 01:01:10,375 --> 01:01:13,419 was not like it should have been. 1230 01:01:13,503 --> 01:01:15,755 I feel super great. It's about the achievement. 1231 01:01:15,838 --> 01:01:17,840 emcee: Added the sunroof! 1232 01:01:17,924 --> 01:01:21,844 Ojas: It feels weird that everything is in a drive-through fashion. 1233 01:01:21,928 --> 01:01:23,763 emcee: Congratulations, Ojas! 1234 01:01:23,846 --> 01:01:27,016 I never really got to say a proper thank you 1235 01:01:27,100 --> 01:01:28,434 and goodbye to my teachers. 1236 01:01:28,518 --> 01:01:30,353 student: Whoo-hoo! 1237 01:01:30,436 --> 01:01:34,565 Ojas: I'm not really sure what my future looks like. 1238 01:01:34,649 --> 01:01:37,777 I don't know what's going to happen. 1239 01:01:37,860 --> 01:01:40,822 We're taking it one day at a time. 1240 01:01:46,786 --> 01:01:49,247 (distant siren wailing) 1241 01:01:58,673 --> 01:02:00,091 (horn honks) 1242 01:02:05,054 --> 01:02:07,974 student: ♪ 5, 6, 7, 8, work ♪ 1243 01:02:08,057 --> 01:02:11,936 students: (in singsong) ♪ And me and my friends hold on, work ♪ 1244 01:02:12,019 --> 01:02:15,314 ♪ Walk in, walk out and go to work ♪ 1245 01:02:15,398 --> 01:02:17,692 ♪ Hey, walk it out, walk it out ♪ 1246 01:02:17,775 --> 01:02:21,487 ♪ Work, okay, oh, cha, cha cha, cha, work ♪ 1247 01:02:21,571 --> 01:02:25,408 -Nahiely: (laughing) We should do that. -Jolimar: Yeah, we should. 1248 01:02:25,491 --> 01:02:26,951 (laughing) 1249 01:02:27,034 --> 01:02:29,745 Linda: We're gonna be doing the Nate and Kelly scene. 1250 01:02:29,829 --> 01:02:31,205 They're like a mix between 1251 01:02:31,289 --> 01:02:32,665 like cheerleaders and... 1252 01:02:32,748 --> 01:02:34,459 Like the morning announcement people. 1253 01:02:34,542 --> 01:02:38,421 So chipper, professional, best student ever. 1254 01:02:38,504 --> 01:02:39,839 student: Mm-hmm. 1255 01:02:39,922 --> 01:02:42,133 "Welcome to today's episode of the 'Average Update.' 1256 01:02:42,216 --> 01:02:45,678 We're coming to you live with a special midterm edition of the class rank updates." 1257 01:02:45,761 --> 01:02:48,848 -I'm Nate Huge! -"And I'm Kelly Stewart. It's Friday, October 15th." 1258 01:02:48,931 --> 01:02:52,310 "You have a few extra days until these essays boom or bust your rank, 1259 01:02:52,393 --> 01:02:54,103 so take the weekend and celebrate." 1260 01:02:54,187 --> 01:02:58,024 So, can you show me some crazy high-school way to celebrate? 1261 01:02:58,107 --> 01:03:00,693 Like, celebrate, waah! Give me something there! Okay? 1262 01:03:00,776 --> 01:03:04,447 -Fantastic, Zaya, that's great. -Good job, good job. 1263 01:03:04,530 --> 01:03:09,368 All right, we are act I, scene II, page 21. 1264 01:03:09,452 --> 01:03:11,871 Putting on a virtual play is one thing. 1265 01:03:11,954 --> 01:03:13,206 Putting on a virtual musical 1266 01:03:13,289 --> 01:03:15,583 is a whole different ball game. 1267 01:03:15,666 --> 01:03:18,002 And then you're gonna take your right hand 1268 01:03:18,085 --> 01:03:20,379 and pull on this side of your face so maybe... 1269 01:03:20,463 --> 01:03:21,923 Hayley Wright: We have the kids 1270 01:03:22,006 --> 01:03:23,466 that have opted in for in-person learning 1271 01:03:23,549 --> 01:03:27,720 while we have the majority of our cast still remote. 1272 01:03:27,803 --> 01:03:30,348 ♪ The tiniest lifeboat... ♪ 1273 01:03:30,431 --> 01:03:32,558 Linda: We did all of the auditions remotely. 1274 01:03:32,642 --> 01:03:35,728 ♪ Feels like I might spend the whole year... ♪ 1275 01:03:35,811 --> 01:03:39,023 Linda: I have a lot of students doing their whole school day, 1276 01:03:39,106 --> 01:03:41,484 often in the bathroom, or I had one student 1277 01:03:41,567 --> 01:03:44,028 who found a little corner of the closet. 1278 01:03:44,111 --> 01:03:47,114 A lot of students don't have another room 1279 01:03:47,198 --> 01:03:48,866 where they can have quiet. 1280 01:03:48,950 --> 01:03:50,993 (indistinct chatter) 1281 01:03:51,077 --> 01:03:53,704 We bought green screens. 1282 01:03:53,788 --> 01:03:57,500 We have a sound recording studio. 1283 01:03:57,583 --> 01:04:01,462 It's gonna be like a mix between a movie musical, Zoom, 1284 01:04:01,546 --> 01:04:03,923 and an actual movie. 1285 01:04:04,006 --> 01:04:07,426 Hayley: My hope for how we will premiere "Ranked" 1286 01:04:07,510 --> 01:04:09,804 is to have a big day 1287 01:04:09,887 --> 01:04:13,474 where everyone was in the auditorium, 1288 01:04:13,558 --> 01:04:16,561 was watching on our big screen. 1289 01:04:19,063 --> 01:04:22,233 ♪ I've always been the good little sister ♪ 1290 01:04:22,316 --> 01:04:25,069 ♪ Never even tried to speak my mind ♪ 1291 01:04:25,152 --> 01:04:26,571 ♪ Just keep my lips on lock ♪ 1292 01:04:26,654 --> 01:04:28,531 ♪ Don't take the chance to talk ♪ 1293 01:04:28,614 --> 01:04:32,118 ♪ But the thoughts in my head still scream and shout ♪ 1294 01:04:32,201 --> 01:04:34,912 Excellent, excellent work, honey! 1295 01:04:34,996 --> 01:04:40,376 We just took everything another bunch of steps. 1296 01:04:40,459 --> 01:04:43,421 Jolimar: I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. 1297 01:04:43,504 --> 01:04:46,757 I moved to New York at the age of 9. 1298 01:04:46,841 --> 01:04:49,302 My mom thought that in New York City 1299 01:04:49,385 --> 01:04:53,306 we were able to seek a better life, a better future. 1300 01:04:53,389 --> 01:04:56,976 I made a vow to myself when I came here, I was like, 1301 01:04:57,059 --> 01:04:59,395 when I finally learn English, 1302 01:04:59,478 --> 01:05:02,315 I'll make sure that I'm the best student that I can. 1303 01:05:02,398 --> 01:05:05,693 Maybe not get like Salutatorian and, and Valedictorian. 1304 01:05:05,776 --> 01:05:07,778 But maybe the best student as I can. 1305 01:05:09,530 --> 01:05:11,073 I've always wanted to go to college, 1306 01:05:11,157 --> 01:05:14,118 but being able to pay for college is a big factor 1307 01:05:14,201 --> 01:05:16,287 into my college application process. 1308 01:05:16,370 --> 01:05:19,332 Not being able to pay for the college of your dreams, 1309 01:05:19,415 --> 01:05:21,167 it breaks your heart. 1310 01:05:21,250 --> 01:05:22,835 You have the potential, 1311 01:05:22,918 --> 01:05:26,422 but just because you can't afford it, you're not able to go, 1312 01:05:26,505 --> 01:05:28,257 and somebody else can because they are, 1313 01:05:28,341 --> 01:05:33,137 and it's kind of unfair, but that's just the way the world is. 1314 01:05:33,220 --> 01:05:36,349 I live with my mom and my sister. 1315 01:05:36,432 --> 01:05:38,517 I used to live with my aunts and uncles 1316 01:05:38,601 --> 01:05:40,686 and cousins in the same apartment. 1317 01:05:40,770 --> 01:05:42,355 You know, you come from the bottom 1318 01:05:42,438 --> 01:05:44,440 and have to work your way up. 1319 01:05:44,523 --> 01:05:48,319 My mom, she has done so much for us 1320 01:05:48,402 --> 01:05:51,530 in order to have what we have now. 1321 01:05:51,614 --> 01:05:54,784 The most important for me is my daughters. 1322 01:05:54,867 --> 01:05:57,495 (speaking Spanish) 1323 01:06:53,050 --> 01:06:54,593 Oooh, five more minutes. 1324 01:06:54,677 --> 01:06:56,637 I'm nervous! 1325 01:06:59,932 --> 01:07:01,892 I always wanted to go to college 1326 01:07:01,976 --> 01:07:04,729 to pursue my dream as an actor. 1327 01:07:04,812 --> 01:07:07,064 Also, like, learn other skills. 1328 01:07:07,148 --> 01:07:09,567 Like, be a entrepreneur. 1329 01:07:09,650 --> 01:07:10,943 It would really mean a lot. 1330 01:07:11,026 --> 01:07:14,155 My mom, she didn't have the chance to go, 1331 01:07:14,238 --> 01:07:15,906 my brother didn't get a chance to go, 1332 01:07:15,990 --> 01:07:18,576 so being that I'm getting a chance to go, 1333 01:07:18,659 --> 01:07:21,954 I want to take advantage of this opportunity. 1334 01:07:22,037 --> 01:07:24,874 There've been things in my life that pushed me back 1335 01:07:24,957 --> 01:07:26,751 and made me feel like I couldn't do it, 1336 01:07:26,834 --> 01:07:28,919 but like getting there and going to college 1337 01:07:29,003 --> 01:07:32,715 would just make me feel like I could do anything. 1338 01:07:32,798 --> 01:07:35,259 (computer chimes) 1339 01:07:35,342 --> 01:07:36,635 Hello. 1340 01:07:36,719 --> 01:07:38,554 Well, welcome to the audition, sir. 1341 01:07:38,637 --> 01:07:41,724 Um, thank you, first of all, for auditioning for us. 1342 01:07:41,807 --> 01:07:45,102 So, what monologues will you be doing 1343 01:07:45,186 --> 01:07:46,479 for me today, Mr. Sampson? 1344 01:07:46,562 --> 01:07:48,773 Today, I will be performing Twilight 1345 01:07:48,856 --> 01:07:53,027 from the play "Twilight: Los Angeles 1992." 1346 01:07:53,110 --> 01:07:56,739 So, a lot of the times when I brought up the idea to my homeboys, 1347 01:07:56,822 --> 01:07:58,365 they say, "Twilight. 1348 01:07:58,449 --> 01:08:02,119 That's before your time, that's something you can't do now." 1349 01:08:02,203 --> 01:08:05,706 When I talked about the truce back in 1988, 1350 01:08:05,790 --> 01:08:08,626 that was something they'd consider before it's time. 1351 01:08:08,709 --> 01:08:12,463 Yet in 1992, we made it realistic. 1352 01:08:12,546 --> 01:08:14,799 So, to me it's like I'm stuck in a limbo, 1353 01:08:14,882 --> 01:08:16,842 like the sun is stuck between night and day 1354 01:08:16,926 --> 01:08:18,844 in the twilight hours, you know? 1355 01:08:18,928 --> 01:08:20,304 You're nervous, aren't you? 1356 01:08:20,387 --> 01:08:22,014 Just a little bit. 1357 01:08:22,097 --> 01:08:24,767 'Cause your energy right now is sort of like 1358 01:08:24,850 --> 01:08:25,851 "Ahhh!" 1359 01:08:25,935 --> 01:08:27,728 and you do not need to be. 1360 01:08:27,812 --> 01:08:29,939 I want you to sort of... "I'm gonna own it. 1361 01:08:30,022 --> 01:08:31,982 I'm gonna own everything..." 1362 01:08:32,066 --> 01:08:35,402 Isiah: I know, like, this college application process 1363 01:08:35,486 --> 01:08:37,154 is competitive and, just, financially, 1364 01:08:37,238 --> 01:08:40,241 I'm just scared I will have to go with probably my second choice 1365 01:08:40,324 --> 01:08:42,409 or my third choice, just being that 1366 01:08:42,493 --> 01:08:44,328 I wouldn't be able to afford my top choice. 1367 01:08:44,411 --> 01:08:48,499 Your little skinny self should have went over there. 1368 01:08:48,582 --> 01:08:50,751 Michqwelyn: Isiah is the driven one, like, 1369 01:08:50,835 --> 01:08:53,712 he has that drive, that ambition. 1370 01:08:53,796 --> 01:08:55,506 Like, he just, he goes for it. 1371 01:08:55,589 --> 01:08:59,385 And this acting career that he is going after, 1372 01:08:59,468 --> 01:09:01,136 he really wants it. 1373 01:09:01,220 --> 01:09:05,266 Like a whole other time, it was a major disaster. 1374 01:09:05,349 --> 01:09:08,269 When I brought up the ideas to my homeboys, 1375 01:09:08,352 --> 01:09:10,396 they say, "Twilight..." 1376 01:09:10,479 --> 01:09:13,357 Oft, I have picked up dead men from the grave 1377 01:09:13,440 --> 01:09:16,527 and set them upright at their dead friend's door. 1378 01:09:16,610 --> 01:09:20,030 -I felt that. That was dope. -Isiah: Thank you. 1379 01:09:20,114 --> 01:09:22,408 -Zay, why do you have so many tabs open? -Dope. 1380 01:09:22,491 --> 01:09:24,577 'Cause I'm applying to college right now. 1381 01:09:24,660 --> 01:09:28,038 Michqwelyn: I want them to have a better life than me. 1382 01:09:28,122 --> 01:09:30,291 Not saying my life is bad, 1383 01:09:30,374 --> 01:09:34,879 but I just want them to be... don't have to struggle, 1384 01:09:34,962 --> 01:09:37,923 like, it's, it's hard out here. 1385 01:09:38,007 --> 01:09:40,092 So I just want them to... 1386 01:09:40,175 --> 01:09:42,761 be what they want to be when they grow up. 1387 01:09:42,845 --> 01:09:44,680 Isiah's like his dad. 1388 01:09:44,763 --> 01:09:46,640 When he wants something, he goes for it. 1389 01:09:46,724 --> 01:09:49,018 And he won't stop until he gets it. 1390 01:09:49,101 --> 01:09:51,270 Isiah has that drive, just like Rob. 1391 01:09:51,353 --> 01:09:52,646 That's how Rob was. 1392 01:09:55,024 --> 01:09:58,277 Isiah: My dad, he passed away freshman year. 1393 01:09:58,360 --> 01:10:00,321 I lost myself, in a way. 1394 01:10:00,404 --> 01:10:02,281 It set me back a lot, like with grades. 1395 01:10:02,364 --> 01:10:08,245 But I realized that he would want me to pursue my dream as an actor. 1396 01:10:08,329 --> 01:10:10,873 Now, I'm in the National Honor Society. 1397 01:10:10,956 --> 01:10:13,417 My grades is good, I'm doing good in all my classes. 1398 01:10:13,500 --> 01:10:16,128 I'm on top of my stuff. 1399 01:10:16,211 --> 01:10:19,715 I know he's probably looking down at me right now, in this moment, and like, 1400 01:10:19,798 --> 01:10:23,219 he's probably proud of me, and I just want to continue to make him proud. 1401 01:10:23,302 --> 01:10:25,804 This is, like, my good luck charm. 1402 01:10:25,888 --> 01:10:29,350 Um, it's hung over my bed right now, um... 1403 01:10:29,433 --> 01:10:32,937 I don't know, I'm gettin' emotional right now. 1404 01:10:37,358 --> 01:10:40,778 I actually kiss up to my dad every night, um... 1405 01:10:40,861 --> 01:10:44,740 Just knowing that he's not here and he can't like, 1406 01:10:44,823 --> 01:10:47,743 really, like, experience the things that I'm experiencing, 1407 01:10:47,826 --> 01:10:50,204 be proud of me, be happy for his son, 1408 01:10:50,287 --> 01:10:53,499 tell his son that... he loves him. 1409 01:10:55,250 --> 01:10:58,504 And even me telling my dad that I love him. 1410 01:11:00,923 --> 01:11:03,842 It just hurts me every day. 1411 01:11:03,926 --> 01:11:06,095 So, I'm gonna make sure that, 1412 01:11:06,178 --> 01:11:08,222 um... 1413 01:11:08,305 --> 01:11:13,477 I might give back in a way, um, you know. 1414 01:11:13,560 --> 01:11:17,982 Everything he gave to me, I'm gonna give back, I promise. 1415 01:11:28,075 --> 01:11:30,828 One, two, ready, play! 1416 01:11:30,911 --> 01:11:33,831 (drums beating) 1417 01:11:33,914 --> 01:11:36,542 -(cheering) -(whistle blows) 1418 01:11:36,625 --> 01:11:39,378 announcer: It's the pride of Jackson County, 1419 01:11:39,461 --> 01:11:42,256 the Ripley High School Fighting Marching Band! 1420 01:11:42,339 --> 01:11:47,052 -(bells clanging) -(students cheering) 1421 01:11:47,136 --> 01:11:48,887 Leo: Our first football game, 1422 01:11:48,971 --> 01:11:51,265 even with like COVID and everything. 1423 01:11:51,348 --> 01:11:53,308 Tonight is senior night. 1424 01:11:53,392 --> 01:11:55,144 They'll be calling my name out. 1425 01:11:55,227 --> 01:11:57,563 announcer: Band member for eight years 1426 01:11:57,646 --> 01:12:01,608 and has plans to major in animation in college. 1427 01:12:01,692 --> 01:12:04,445 (applause) 1428 01:12:12,453 --> 01:12:14,288 Leo: My mom is in Tennessee, 1429 01:12:14,371 --> 01:12:16,540 so I've been living alone here in Ripley. 1430 01:12:16,623 --> 01:12:18,500 My stepdad got a job down there 1431 01:12:18,584 --> 01:12:21,712 so she goes back to Tennessee like every other week. 1432 01:12:21,795 --> 01:12:25,215 And she knows that I'm fine up here. 1433 01:12:25,299 --> 01:12:26,925 I do everything. I do all the cleaning. 1434 01:12:27,009 --> 01:12:29,720 I do all the cooking and the laundry and all that. 1435 01:12:29,803 --> 01:12:33,557 Like, I feel like I'm already ready to be living on my own. 1436 01:12:35,893 --> 01:12:38,937 I've been applying to a couple different schools. 1437 01:12:39,021 --> 01:12:42,232 And a lot of this stuff is, like, money. It's just like... 1438 01:12:42,316 --> 01:12:45,110 whether or not I can get in is a whole other thing, 1439 01:12:45,194 --> 01:12:48,280 but like, even if I do get in, can I pay for it? 1440 01:12:48,363 --> 01:12:50,991 I applied for so many scholarships already. 1441 01:12:51,075 --> 01:12:53,118 I mean, I've heard nothing back. 1442 01:12:53,202 --> 01:12:56,246 A lot of these scholarships, it's like you have to be like super, super smart. 1443 01:12:56,330 --> 01:13:00,000 You have to be making like a 4.0, maybe like more. 1444 01:13:02,461 --> 01:13:05,380 I'm trying to save up for college. 1445 01:13:07,049 --> 01:13:09,343 The American Dream, like, it's the idea 1446 01:13:09,426 --> 01:13:12,513 that if you work hard enough, you can get a good education, 1447 01:13:12,596 --> 01:13:13,972 you can get a good job. 1448 01:13:14,056 --> 01:13:17,810 I mean, obviously, that's just like not always true. 1449 01:13:17,893 --> 01:13:19,561 At this point, it's like, 1450 01:13:19,645 --> 01:13:22,439 can I get into these colleges and can I pay for it? 1451 01:13:22,523 --> 01:13:25,317 So that's kinda like what I'm worried about right now. 1452 01:13:39,039 --> 01:13:40,791 Maisie, up! 1453 01:13:40,874 --> 01:13:43,502 Right now life is a lot slower 1454 01:13:43,585 --> 01:13:46,171 than what I'd like it to be. 1455 01:13:48,799 --> 01:13:51,051 I'm going to West Virginia University 1456 01:13:51,135 --> 01:13:52,344 at Parkersburg 1457 01:13:52,427 --> 01:13:55,722 and my major is Business Administration. 1458 01:13:57,599 --> 01:14:00,185 It's been weird transitioning 1459 01:14:00,269 --> 01:14:03,856 from high school to college 1460 01:14:03,939 --> 01:14:06,191 without being in college. 1461 01:14:06,275 --> 01:14:09,486 Constant surveillance to literally none, 1462 01:14:09,570 --> 01:14:12,823 not even like a classroom to have a teacher, 1463 01:14:12,906 --> 01:14:15,284 like, look me in the eyes and tell me what to do. 1464 01:14:15,367 --> 01:14:18,871 I am feeling isolated right now. 1465 01:14:18,954 --> 01:14:22,457 I did buy a ring light for college. 1466 01:14:22,541 --> 01:14:25,127 Most people would think, "Oh, you bought it 1467 01:14:25,210 --> 01:14:28,714 so the lighting is better so maybe the teacher can see you." 1468 01:14:28,797 --> 01:14:31,550 No, there's a cute girl in my business class, 1469 01:14:31,633 --> 01:14:35,345 and I wanted to look good for her on the Zoom meeting! 1470 01:14:35,429 --> 01:14:37,556 Hello. 1471 01:14:37,639 --> 01:14:40,809 I think students are coming to their senses 1472 01:14:40,893 --> 01:14:43,854 about how much college is really worth 1473 01:14:43,937 --> 01:14:46,273 versus how much you're spending on it. 1474 01:14:46,356 --> 01:14:48,817 A more basic college degree, 1475 01:14:48,901 --> 01:14:51,778 it's getting you the same education, 1476 01:14:51,862 --> 01:14:56,700 but you're saving tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars 1477 01:14:56,783 --> 01:14:58,535 in student debt down the road. 1478 01:14:58,619 --> 01:15:01,663 (dog barking) 1479 01:15:08,128 --> 01:15:10,589 Anne: With the virus going on, I'm not sure how, like, 1480 01:15:10,672 --> 01:15:12,466 my future plans are gonna work out. 1481 01:15:12,549 --> 01:15:15,886 It's kinda nerve-wracking. 1482 01:15:15,969 --> 01:15:18,472 I decided I didn't want to be a teacher. 1483 01:15:18,555 --> 01:15:21,767 And I really think the virus has a big thing to play with that. 1484 01:15:21,850 --> 01:15:24,102 I'm not sure 1485 01:15:24,186 --> 01:15:26,230 I would be strong enough 1486 01:15:26,313 --> 01:15:27,981 to do that for years. 1487 01:15:29,483 --> 01:15:32,527 I've really been thinking about special effects more. 1488 01:15:32,611 --> 01:15:34,404 I've been practicing a little bit. 1489 01:15:34,488 --> 01:15:36,865 I looked up special effects schools, 1490 01:15:36,949 --> 01:15:40,285 and I realized, maybe I can do the arts. 1491 01:15:41,203 --> 01:15:45,040 How in the world did you go from, 1492 01:15:45,123 --> 01:15:47,584 "I wanna teach little kids and help them grow" 1493 01:15:47,668 --> 01:15:50,879 to, "I want to, um, 1494 01:15:50,963 --> 01:15:53,966 make people look like they've been in a car accident"? 1495 01:15:54,049 --> 01:15:56,301 I feel like teaching is more 1496 01:15:56,385 --> 01:15:59,596 like a hardcore job, kinda like your basic job 1497 01:15:59,680 --> 01:16:02,057 that you hear about, like the lawyers, doctors. 1498 01:16:02,140 --> 01:16:04,643 I feel like teaching kind of goes into that category, 1499 01:16:04,726 --> 01:16:06,186 and I don't want to be normal. 1500 01:16:06,270 --> 01:16:08,647 I can't let the virus stop me 1501 01:16:08,730 --> 01:16:11,024 from really becoming who I wanna become. 1502 01:16:11,108 --> 01:16:12,693 I still have to live my dreams. 1503 01:16:12,776 --> 01:16:17,114 And if it doesn't work out, that's okay, it was fun! 1504 01:16:17,197 --> 01:16:20,867 It's better to say, "Hey, I almost became a special effects artist" 1505 01:16:20,951 --> 01:16:22,744 than say I didn't try. 1506 01:16:24,371 --> 01:16:26,498 (distant siren wailing) 1507 01:16:31,295 --> 01:16:33,839 -Linda: Ba, ba, ba. -Jolimar: Ba, ba, ba. 1508 01:16:33,922 --> 01:16:35,507 -Pa, pa, pa. -Pa, pa, pa. 1509 01:16:35,590 --> 01:16:39,428 I started acting when I was in middle school. 1510 01:16:39,511 --> 01:16:43,181 Ms. Key has pushed me into being the best actress, 1511 01:16:43,265 --> 01:16:44,891 creative artist as I can. 1512 01:16:44,975 --> 01:16:48,270 I really want to become professional. 1513 01:16:48,353 --> 01:16:50,814 Let's go through what's coming up for you 1514 01:16:50,897 --> 01:16:52,858 in terms of your auditions. 1515 01:16:52,941 --> 01:16:56,820 Jolimar: I'm applying to like 13 schools in total. 1516 01:16:56,903 --> 01:16:58,864 I don't have a dream school. 1517 01:16:58,947 --> 01:17:02,993 I don't really want to get attached to one and get sad because I didn't get in. 1518 01:17:03,076 --> 01:17:05,412 teacher: Hi, Jolimar! 1519 01:17:05,495 --> 01:17:07,664 Bernard Cummings: Hi, Jolimar! 1520 01:17:07,748 --> 01:17:10,042 Thank you so much for auditioning for us. 1521 01:17:10,125 --> 01:17:12,919 Um, we know what a really strange 1522 01:17:13,003 --> 01:17:15,297 and crazy process this is. 1523 01:17:15,380 --> 01:17:17,632 The stage is all yours. 1524 01:17:17,716 --> 01:17:20,552 Yes. 1525 01:17:20,635 --> 01:17:23,722 You promised me my life, but you lied. 1526 01:17:23,805 --> 01:17:27,059 And by your wanting to take them away from me 1527 01:17:27,142 --> 01:17:28,977 or from any human creature, 1528 01:17:29,061 --> 01:17:31,521 I know that your counsel is of the devil 1529 01:17:31,605 --> 01:17:34,024 and that mine is of God! 1530 01:17:34,107 --> 01:17:37,027 You took on "Saint Joan" by Shaw. 1531 01:17:37,110 --> 01:17:39,404 And you personalized it and made it your own, 1532 01:17:39,488 --> 01:17:41,198 which is something that I love about it. 1533 01:17:41,281 --> 01:17:45,243 I want you to do the whole "Saint Joan" in Spanish. 1534 01:17:45,327 --> 01:17:47,204 Okay. (laughs) 1535 01:17:47,287 --> 01:17:50,415 Let's say you are an immigrant. 1536 01:17:50,499 --> 01:17:53,377 You're down here at the Texas border. 1537 01:17:53,460 --> 01:17:56,088 They've yanked your child from you. 1538 01:17:56,171 --> 01:17:58,465 You're in a cage. 1539 01:17:59,841 --> 01:18:03,011 Some right-wing politician comes 1540 01:18:03,095 --> 01:18:04,763 and wants to look through the cage 1541 01:18:04,846 --> 01:18:07,599 and ask you how you feel. 1542 01:18:10,644 --> 01:18:12,145 (in Spanish) 1543 01:18:44,344 --> 01:18:45,887 Thank you. 1544 01:18:47,722 --> 01:18:50,016 Wow, I'm sorry, you got me emotional 1545 01:18:50,100 --> 01:18:51,685 with that monologue. 1546 01:18:51,768 --> 01:18:53,645 There's a real energy out of you, 1547 01:18:53,728 --> 01:18:55,856 and it, it's just absolutely wonderful. 1548 01:18:55,939 --> 01:18:58,191 So walk into any and every audition 1549 01:18:58,275 --> 01:19:00,277 you have coming up with great confidence. 1550 01:19:00,360 --> 01:19:03,864 -Bye, thank you so much! -Bye. 1551 01:19:05,866 --> 01:19:10,537 (shrieks) 1552 01:19:10,620 --> 01:19:12,873 I don't know how to feel! 1553 01:19:18,086 --> 01:19:22,090 ♪ I've always been the good little sister ♪ 1554 01:19:22,174 --> 01:19:24,009 (laughs) 1555 01:19:24,092 --> 01:19:25,802 ♪ Just keep my lips on lock ♪ 1556 01:19:25,886 --> 01:19:27,596 ♪ Don't take the chance to talk ♪ 1557 01:19:27,679 --> 01:19:31,641 Oh, my gosh, that was the audition of my life, ah! 1558 01:19:31,725 --> 01:19:34,561 Wow. Okay. 1559 01:19:50,368 --> 01:19:54,372 Senih: I got a job, started making money. 1560 01:19:54,456 --> 01:19:57,125 Got a car, all that fun stuff. 1561 01:19:57,209 --> 01:19:59,920 I guess I was very scared of the idea that 1562 01:20:00,003 --> 01:20:01,796 I would just stay home and do nothing 1563 01:20:01,880 --> 01:20:04,049 and be completely satisfied with that. 1564 01:20:04,132 --> 01:20:06,259 -Hey, how're you guys doing? -Hi, good. How are you? 1565 01:20:06,343 --> 01:20:08,553 -Senih: Good, good. -Thank you. 1566 01:20:08,637 --> 01:20:10,931 There you go. And I'll give you that. 1567 01:20:11,014 --> 01:20:14,392 -I'll be right back with some water for you guys. -That'd be great. 1568 01:20:14,476 --> 01:20:18,730 Senih: I do expect more out of me now than I would a year ago. 1569 01:20:18,813 --> 01:20:20,482 I know myself better than I did, 1570 01:20:20,565 --> 01:20:24,194 and I think that kind of motivates me to do more. 1571 01:20:24,277 --> 01:20:27,948 I've been able to kind of be my own person. 1572 01:20:28,031 --> 01:20:31,576 Because of my grades, I didn't feel like I was in a position 1573 01:20:31,660 --> 01:20:35,997 where I got to really be too picky with where I went to college. 1574 01:20:36,081 --> 01:20:38,708 ...and the basic burger is pretty big. 1575 01:20:38,792 --> 01:20:41,628 I applied to a bunch of different schools. 1576 01:20:41,711 --> 01:20:44,589 I'm planning on going as far away as I can from home, 1577 01:20:44,673 --> 01:20:47,133 you know, New York, hopefully. 1578 01:20:47,217 --> 01:20:49,761 I've never really lived 1579 01:20:49,844 --> 01:20:52,556 outside of my parents' sphere of influence, 1580 01:20:52,639 --> 01:20:55,767 so it's gonna be nice to make my own choices. 1581 01:20:55,850 --> 01:20:59,062 You know, the opportunity to learn how to live by myself. 1582 01:20:59,145 --> 01:21:01,606 That's what I think of when I think of college. 1583 01:21:01,690 --> 01:21:04,442 Where is it? Sign in, there we go. 1584 01:21:04,526 --> 01:21:06,152 Okay. 1585 01:21:07,529 --> 01:21:09,573 Oh, this is scary! 1586 01:21:09,656 --> 01:21:10,949 Ah! 1587 01:21:11,032 --> 01:21:14,369 Okay, three, two, one... 1588 01:21:14,452 --> 01:21:16,955 (perky music playing) 1589 01:21:17,038 --> 01:21:18,373 Holy... 1590 01:21:18,456 --> 01:21:21,543 Okay, so I got waitlisted. 1591 01:21:21,626 --> 01:21:23,295 -Waiting list isn't bad. -Yeah. 1592 01:21:23,378 --> 01:21:25,797 -It's not a rejection. -Okay. 1593 01:21:25,880 --> 01:21:28,174 I got rejected. 1594 01:21:29,634 --> 01:21:32,304 It's... it's pretty disappointing. 1595 01:21:32,387 --> 01:21:35,640 "I wish that a different decision had been possible." 1596 01:21:35,724 --> 01:21:38,268 Do you, Harvard? Do you really? 1597 01:21:38,351 --> 01:21:41,771 Because if you wish it, you would have done it. (laughs) 1598 01:21:41,855 --> 01:21:43,440 -Oh, no. -Oh, my God. 1599 01:21:43,523 --> 01:21:45,609 Ah, I got in! 1600 01:21:45,692 --> 01:21:50,196 (shrieking) 1601 01:21:55,702 --> 01:21:57,120 mother: You have been accepted! 1602 01:21:57,203 --> 01:21:59,956 Whoo! Let's go! 1603 01:22:00,040 --> 01:22:03,543 I'm officially an Illini now, so that's exciting. 1604 01:22:03,627 --> 01:22:07,130 (mother speaking Japanese) 1605 01:22:07,213 --> 01:22:09,090 That's such a relief. 1606 01:22:09,174 --> 01:22:11,509 It's my first college. 1607 01:22:11,593 --> 01:22:14,346 Worst case, I got into college! 1608 01:22:15,347 --> 01:22:17,015 Aaaah! 1609 01:22:17,098 --> 01:22:20,393 We almost in, y'all. We at the finish line. We almost did it, so... 1610 01:22:20,477 --> 01:22:22,354 I am so excited. I've been accepted 1611 01:22:22,437 --> 01:22:25,482 to one of the schools that I really want to go to. 1612 01:22:25,565 --> 01:22:27,484 Congratulations! 1613 01:22:31,780 --> 01:22:36,910 I got a $100,000 scholarship. 1614 01:22:51,758 --> 01:22:54,552 Michael Johnson: Today is college decision day. 1615 01:22:54,636 --> 01:22:58,306 We come together to celebrate them, to encourage them, 1616 01:22:58,390 --> 01:23:00,684 and to just acknowledge all of the hard work 1617 01:23:00,767 --> 01:23:02,394 that our seniors have achieved 1618 01:23:02,477 --> 01:23:05,897 and the challenges that they've overcome this academic year. 1619 01:23:05,980 --> 01:23:09,693 Today marks an extremely significant day for each of you. 1620 01:23:09,776 --> 01:23:12,487 Today is the day you decide how you will spend 1621 01:23:12,570 --> 01:23:15,031 the next two to four years of your life 1622 01:23:15,115 --> 01:23:18,660 as you pursue post-secondary education. 1623 01:23:18,743 --> 01:23:22,414 Linda: Many of our seniors have gotten into their first choice school, 1624 01:23:22,497 --> 01:23:25,500 some are waiting for a few more decisions. 1625 01:23:25,583 --> 01:23:27,961 The students are going to have to see 1626 01:23:28,044 --> 01:23:30,672 what the financial aid packages are. 1627 01:23:30,755 --> 01:23:32,674 For our students, it's not a possibility 1628 01:23:32,757 --> 01:23:36,636 to come out of school with a $200,000 student loan. 1629 01:23:36,720 --> 01:23:41,349 That would be sort of crippling if they were going into the arts as a career. 1630 01:23:41,433 --> 01:23:44,018 They need to find the best option 1631 01:23:44,102 --> 01:23:46,938 to enter the career path of their choice 1632 01:23:47,021 --> 01:23:49,899 with very little debt. 1633 01:23:49,983 --> 01:23:52,318 Isiah: A lot of my friends are on urge 1634 01:23:52,402 --> 01:23:54,779 of making their decisions already. 1635 01:23:54,863 --> 01:23:56,906 Some already made their decision. 1636 01:23:56,990 --> 01:24:02,954 It just kind of make me like, "Dang, I wish I knew where I was going." 1637 01:24:03,037 --> 01:24:05,832 I heard back from Howard University 1638 01:24:05,915 --> 01:24:09,502 and Chapman University in California. 1639 01:24:09,586 --> 01:24:13,131 I got into Chapman, but I got waitlisted for Howard. 1640 01:24:13,214 --> 01:24:17,135 Being told no, ya know, it just, like, 1641 01:24:17,218 --> 01:24:19,429 it's messing with my, like, my whole plan 1642 01:24:19,512 --> 01:24:22,182 of where I wanna go to college. 1643 01:24:22,265 --> 01:24:24,934 I'm really stuck in the middle right now. 1644 01:24:25,018 --> 01:24:30,064 I don't have all the answers, you know, to financial aid. 1645 01:24:31,733 --> 01:24:34,778 Just this week me and my mom had been talking. 1646 01:24:37,155 --> 01:24:40,533 She was just saying that she don't want me in debt. 1647 01:24:40,617 --> 01:24:44,370 I'm young and she doesn't want all that on me at a young age. 1648 01:24:44,454 --> 01:24:48,500 She doesn't want it to mess me up in the future. 1649 01:24:48,583 --> 01:24:51,795 At the end of the day it's my decision, 1650 01:24:51,878 --> 01:24:54,047 and honestly for my dream, 1651 01:24:54,130 --> 01:24:56,508 I wouldn't, I wouldn't mind being in debt, 1652 01:24:56,591 --> 01:24:58,092 and that's what I told my mom. 1653 01:24:58,176 --> 01:25:00,512 I told my mom everything can go in my name. 1654 01:25:00,595 --> 01:25:02,847 "I don't want nothing-- I don't want nothing on you. 1655 01:25:02,931 --> 01:25:07,477 I want everything on me because it's my dream, it's my life, 1656 01:25:07,560 --> 01:25:11,105 and I should be taking accountability for what I want." 1657 01:25:11,189 --> 01:25:14,150 Linda: All of us in the arts department 1658 01:25:14,234 --> 01:25:17,612 are committed to our students living their dreams, 1659 01:25:17,695 --> 01:25:20,365 so, like, we'll exhaust every possibility 1660 01:25:20,448 --> 01:25:22,784 to help them find the money. 1661 01:25:23,701 --> 01:25:25,954 -Whoo! -Whoo! 1662 01:25:26,037 --> 01:25:28,331 -Linda: Wait, wait, wait! -Isiah: Can't forget you! 1663 01:25:28,414 --> 01:25:29,916 both: Whoo! Whoo! 1664 01:25:29,999 --> 01:25:32,460 -Isiah: You know that! -Linda: All right, man. 1665 01:25:32,544 --> 01:25:35,463 Linda: Last time we talked, we talked a lot about Howard. 1666 01:25:35,547 --> 01:25:38,049 But as luck will have it, 1667 01:25:38,132 --> 01:25:40,218 you seem like you have another choice... 1668 01:25:40,301 --> 01:25:41,886 -Isiah: Yes. -...that has come to you. 1669 01:25:41,970 --> 01:25:45,181 My other choice is Chapman University in California. 1670 01:25:45,265 --> 01:25:47,016 -Linda: Great. -For screen acting, so... 1671 01:25:47,100 --> 01:25:49,853 You got their financial aid package back. 1672 01:25:49,936 --> 01:25:53,314 So, what they gave me, approximately 57,000, 1673 01:25:53,398 --> 01:25:57,026 and then the rest I'll have to like, it's 18. 1674 01:25:57,110 --> 01:26:00,655 -Linda: 18,000 per year. -18,000, you know. 1675 01:26:00,738 --> 01:26:02,949 (tearfully) We're really proud of you. 1676 01:26:03,032 --> 01:26:05,118 Don't cry, miss. What you about to tell me? 1677 01:26:05,201 --> 01:26:07,579 Linda: We love you, and we know your dream. 1678 01:26:07,662 --> 01:26:10,248 And we've got really good news. 1679 01:26:10,331 --> 01:26:12,000 You got a scholarship, 1680 01:26:12,083 --> 01:26:15,086 so you don't have to pay the 18,000. 1681 01:26:17,380 --> 01:26:19,841 Nah, you're serious? 1682 01:26:19,924 --> 01:26:21,217 Yeah. 1683 01:26:22,343 --> 01:26:24,178 I don't... 1684 01:26:24,262 --> 01:26:27,265 I'm not even like, y'all know, like, I-- 1685 01:26:27,348 --> 01:26:30,393 I'm not even the person to like, with these reaction things, 1686 01:26:30,476 --> 01:26:31,811 but, are you serious? 1687 01:26:31,895 --> 01:26:32,937 Yeah. 1688 01:26:33,021 --> 01:26:35,607 Thank you, thank you so much. 1689 01:26:35,690 --> 01:26:38,401 Right now, you know, I don't want to cry. 1690 01:26:38,484 --> 01:26:40,403 Don't, I can't look at you guys. 1691 01:26:41,988 --> 01:26:46,284 Ma, somebody's gonna pay for me, you know, I'm happy right now. 1692 01:26:46,367 --> 01:26:48,745 I can't stop cheesing, ya know. Somebody's gonna pay. 1693 01:26:48,828 --> 01:26:52,165 Michqwelyn: (on phone) Wait, I can't-- you're breaking up, wait. 1694 01:26:52,248 --> 01:26:54,375 You hear me? They, they're gonna... 1695 01:26:54,459 --> 01:26:55,877 Michqwelyn: Are you serious? 1696 01:26:55,960 --> 01:26:57,962 Yes, Ma, they're gonna do that. 1697 01:26:58,046 --> 01:27:00,214 Yes, Ma, yes, yes, yes, yes. 1698 01:27:00,298 --> 01:27:02,550 You don't have to worry no more, so... 1699 01:27:02,634 --> 01:27:05,762 - Michqwelyn: That's your dad. -Oh, wow. 1700 01:27:05,845 --> 01:27:07,513 Thank you. 1701 01:27:07,597 --> 01:27:09,599 Oh, man. Oh, man. 1702 01:27:09,682 --> 01:27:11,601 -I can't. I'm happy... -(teachers laughing) 1703 01:27:11,684 --> 01:27:12,769 I'm sorry, I'm sorry... 1704 01:27:12,852 --> 01:27:15,146 (peaceful music playing) 1705 01:27:17,732 --> 01:27:19,943 California. 1706 01:27:20,026 --> 01:27:21,653 It's a lot of emotions going on, 1707 01:27:21,736 --> 01:27:24,364 but like, I'm just ready. 1708 01:27:43,758 --> 01:27:45,009 Ready when you are. 1709 01:27:45,093 --> 01:27:47,345 Senih: Growing up in America, 1710 01:27:47,428 --> 01:27:49,973 you get the sense of graduation being like 1711 01:27:50,056 --> 01:27:52,058 this huge moment in your life. 1712 01:27:52,141 --> 01:27:55,311 Nice, all right, we're good. We're set. 1713 01:27:55,395 --> 01:27:58,272 I guess it's supposed to feel, like, magical 1714 01:27:58,356 --> 01:28:01,025 or you know like you're coming to an end of something. 1715 01:28:01,109 --> 01:28:04,028 But it's not something I got from my parents a lot. 1716 01:28:04,112 --> 01:28:05,822 They're not too excited because 1717 01:28:05,905 --> 01:28:09,575 in Turkey, it's not the biggest deal to graduate. 1718 01:28:09,659 --> 01:28:11,452 So, when I walk across the stage, 1719 01:28:11,536 --> 01:28:13,162 I'm not expecting much from my dad. 1720 01:28:13,246 --> 01:28:15,790 You know, just the usual, "Hey, congrats, you did it, 1721 01:28:15,873 --> 01:28:18,584 high school is over, get to college," you know. 1722 01:28:18,668 --> 01:28:19,877 -Front? Is this okay? -Yeah. 1723 01:28:19,961 --> 01:28:22,046 -Does that look good? -Yeah. 1724 01:28:22,130 --> 01:28:24,090 Senih: Over the past year, my relationship 1725 01:28:24,173 --> 01:28:26,426 with my dad has gotten better. 1726 01:28:26,509 --> 01:28:30,847 I'm less reliant on, I guess, that sense of approval. 1727 01:28:30,930 --> 01:28:33,641 You know, moving away from him now, going to college, 1728 01:28:33,725 --> 01:28:35,518 I'm going to be put in a situation where 1729 01:28:35,601 --> 01:28:38,396 I need to do what I do for myself and then 1730 01:28:38,479 --> 01:28:41,858 I guess hopefully whatever I do, he'll be supportive of that. 1731 01:28:41,941 --> 01:28:43,860 announcer: Senih Okuycucu! 1732 01:28:43,943 --> 01:28:46,029 (cheering and applause) 1733 01:28:46,112 --> 01:28:49,657 Senih: I made it, so I guess that's what matters. 1734 01:28:51,784 --> 01:28:55,288 father: He went from being this little teenager 1735 01:28:55,371 --> 01:28:56,873 fighting with his brothers 1736 01:28:56,956 --> 01:29:00,084 to being a responsible man, 1737 01:29:00,168 --> 01:29:02,879 and I'm very proud to see that. 1738 01:29:03,671 --> 01:29:05,631 Senih! 1739 01:29:08,176 --> 01:29:10,845 I don't know, it hit me like that's it. 1740 01:29:10,928 --> 01:29:14,182 Like, he's gone. 1741 01:29:14,265 --> 01:29:16,809 He's gone and, and I don't know, I... 1742 01:29:18,644 --> 01:29:21,731 maybe I didn't appreciate our time together. 1743 01:29:21,814 --> 01:29:25,401 I don't know, it felt like, oh, we could have done more... 1744 01:29:25,485 --> 01:29:27,111 I don't know. 1745 01:29:27,195 --> 01:29:28,905 Senih: I did it! 1746 01:29:28,988 --> 01:29:31,407 (indistinct chatter) 1747 01:29:31,491 --> 01:29:33,242 Senih: Thank you. 1748 01:29:33,326 --> 01:29:37,246 father: I may not really see him as much as I used to 1749 01:29:37,330 --> 01:29:39,916 maybe for the rest of my life. 1750 01:29:39,999 --> 01:29:43,628 Graduation is kind of like an explicit milestone 1751 01:29:43,711 --> 01:29:46,214 that kind of symbolizes all of that at once. 1752 01:29:46,297 --> 01:29:48,966 It's a lot of emotions, actually. 1753 01:29:49,050 --> 01:29:50,885 (peaceful music playing) 1754 01:29:53,721 --> 01:29:56,849 (music fades) 1755 01:30:10,947 --> 01:30:13,449 Isiah: I knew the day was gonna come, 1756 01:30:13,533 --> 01:30:18,830 but I didn't expect it to come fast, you know. 1757 01:30:20,456 --> 01:30:24,043 It's just sad because it's come at a end 1758 01:30:24,127 --> 01:30:27,088 and you only get high school once in a lifetime. 1759 01:30:29,423 --> 01:30:31,467 I'm also sad because, it's like, 1760 01:30:31,551 --> 01:30:35,972 my dad couldn't make it here for me today. 1761 01:30:37,431 --> 01:30:40,143 It would have been wonderful to have both parents 1762 01:30:40,226 --> 01:30:42,311 at my graduation. 1763 01:30:42,395 --> 01:30:44,605 Looking sharp, kiddo. 1764 01:30:44,689 --> 01:30:46,774 Hey. 1765 01:30:46,858 --> 01:30:51,571 I'm so proud, man. I wish your dad was here. 1766 01:30:53,114 --> 01:30:55,158 Isiah: He's watching me, that's all I can say. 1767 01:30:55,241 --> 01:30:57,118 He's watching me, he's proud. 1768 01:30:57,201 --> 01:30:59,954 And I'm proud that I did it, and I'm proud that I got here, 1769 01:31:00,037 --> 01:31:02,915 'cause I know that's what he wanted. 1770 01:31:02,999 --> 01:31:05,668 And now I'm sad and I'm trying to be happy. 1771 01:31:05,751 --> 01:31:09,505 But it's a good day today, so, ya know, I'm gonna be happy. 1772 01:31:13,467 --> 01:31:15,636 Jolimar: Yeah, I'm excited that, finally, 1773 01:31:15,720 --> 01:31:17,346 everything that I have worked for 1774 01:31:17,430 --> 01:31:20,725 throughout the past three years has finally paid off. 1775 01:31:20,808 --> 01:31:24,645 I'm very happy that I don't have to take any student loans 1776 01:31:24,729 --> 01:31:27,732 or be in debt for the next year. 1777 01:31:27,815 --> 01:31:29,442 NYU gave me a full ride. 1778 01:31:29,525 --> 01:31:32,361 Now we're having a graduation 1779 01:31:32,445 --> 01:31:35,198 which not a lot of people had last year 1780 01:31:35,281 --> 01:31:37,742 because of COVID and stuff, so I'm grateful. 1781 01:31:37,825 --> 01:31:41,412 My cap says, "porque puedo y me lo merezco" in Spanish, 1782 01:31:41,495 --> 01:31:42,914 and that translates to 1783 01:31:42,997 --> 01:31:45,625 "because I can and I deserve it." 1784 01:31:47,293 --> 01:31:49,587 (mother speaking Spanish) 1785 01:32:00,723 --> 01:32:03,476 woman: It is with great pleasure that I welcome you 1786 01:32:03,559 --> 01:32:05,353 to Fordham High School for the Arts' 1787 01:32:05,436 --> 01:32:09,690 commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2021. 1788 01:32:09,774 --> 01:32:14,695 (cheering and applause) 1789 01:32:16,948 --> 01:32:20,243 Michael: I stand here staring at you in awe, 1790 01:32:20,326 --> 01:32:22,119 as your proud principal 1791 01:32:22,203 --> 01:32:24,914 and filled with so many emotions. 1792 01:32:27,667 --> 01:32:32,004 -(cheering) -Too early in the speech. 1793 01:32:32,088 --> 01:32:36,759 I'm sorry that we couldn't give you all the senior year... 1794 01:32:39,595 --> 01:32:41,138 student 1: Don't cry. 1795 01:32:41,222 --> 01:32:42,682 student 2: Aw. 1796 01:32:44,392 --> 01:32:46,143 I'm sorry that we couldn't give you 1797 01:32:46,227 --> 01:32:49,522 the senior year you rightfully deserve... 1798 01:32:49,605 --> 01:32:51,774 student: We love you! 1799 01:32:51,857 --> 01:32:53,985 (cheering and applause) 1800 01:32:54,068 --> 01:32:56,612 Go out into this world, 1801 01:32:56,696 --> 01:33:00,616 hold your head high, be proud of who you are, 1802 01:33:00,700 --> 01:33:02,118 what you've accomplished, 1803 01:33:02,201 --> 01:33:04,537 and most definitely where you come from. 1804 01:33:04,620 --> 01:33:06,497 Congratulations. 1805 01:33:06,580 --> 01:33:08,541 I now pronounce you official graduates 1806 01:33:08,624 --> 01:33:11,836 from Fordham High School for the Arts 1807 01:33:11,919 --> 01:33:17,383 on the 25th day of June 2021. 1808 01:33:17,466 --> 01:33:22,346 You may now transfer your tassels to your right! 1809 01:33:22,430 --> 01:33:25,683 student: We outta here! 1810 01:33:25,766 --> 01:33:27,768 (cheering continues) 1811 01:33:27,852 --> 01:33:31,272 (lively piano music playing) 1812 01:33:31,355 --> 01:33:34,317 (train clattering) 1813 01:33:41,866 --> 01:33:44,327 Kyle: We're here in New York City because 1814 01:33:44,410 --> 01:33:49,081 we wanted to be at the New York premiere of "Ranked." 1815 01:33:51,000 --> 01:33:52,585 (crowd applauding) 1816 01:33:56,630 --> 01:34:00,051 (crowd cheering) 1817 01:34:00,134 --> 01:34:04,430 Linda: Jolimar Perez! 1818 01:34:04,513 --> 01:34:08,309 Next we have Nahiely! 1819 01:34:08,392 --> 01:34:11,645 We have Isiah, senior drama major. 1820 01:34:11,729 --> 01:34:13,564 (cheering) 1821 01:34:13,647 --> 01:34:16,817 -Linda: What are you wearing? -Amazon. 1822 01:34:16,901 --> 01:34:20,696 -Linda: Ama-- Oh! Amazon! -student: Yeah! 1823 01:34:20,780 --> 01:34:24,075 David: Seeing the kids going on their red carpet, 1824 01:34:24,158 --> 01:34:25,451 striking a pose, 1825 01:34:25,534 --> 01:34:28,371 feeling really special and feeling like a superstar 1826 01:34:28,454 --> 01:34:30,873 and looking like superstars too, 1827 01:34:30,956 --> 01:34:36,337 it reminds you of what we've all been missing. 1828 01:34:36,420 --> 01:34:38,130 (orchestral intro playing) 1829 01:34:38,214 --> 01:34:39,548 student: Whoo! 1830 01:34:39,632 --> 01:34:42,134 (cheering and applause) 1831 01:34:42,218 --> 01:34:45,012 ♪ What could I say ♪ 1832 01:34:45,096 --> 01:34:49,600 ♪ If it turns out I failed? ♪ 1833 01:34:49,683 --> 01:34:51,852 ♪ What should you do ♪ 1834 01:34:51,936 --> 01:34:54,688 ♪ When the water you've bailed ♪ 1835 01:34:54,772 --> 01:34:56,857 ♪ Is rushing back in? ♪ 1836 01:34:56,941 --> 01:34:58,401 She's got a great voice. 1837 01:34:58,484 --> 01:34:59,944 ♪ You know you can't win ♪ 1838 01:35:00,027 --> 01:35:02,613 ♪ You're drowning, you're drowning ♪ 1839 01:35:02,696 --> 01:35:04,907 ♪ You're drowning... ♪ 1840 01:35:04,990 --> 01:35:07,618 ♪ Better learn how to swim ♪ 1841 01:35:07,701 --> 01:35:10,413 (upbeat music playing) 1842 01:35:10,496 --> 01:35:12,915 David: We wrote "Ranked," we never dreamed 1843 01:35:12,998 --> 01:35:15,668 that anyone else would ever even do it 1844 01:35:15,751 --> 01:35:17,128 or know about it. 1845 01:35:17,211 --> 01:35:23,843 ♪ Until we come up for air ♪ 1846 01:35:23,926 --> 01:35:26,429 ♪ These waves keep crashing down ♪ 1847 01:35:26,512 --> 01:35:29,849 ♪ Without a care ♪ 1848 01:35:29,932 --> 01:35:32,101 ♪ They push me down ♪ 1849 01:35:32,184 --> 01:35:33,811 ♪ They spit you out... ♪ 1850 01:35:33,894 --> 01:35:35,896 David: The beauty of theater 1851 01:35:35,980 --> 01:35:38,441 is that people can come together 1852 01:35:38,524 --> 01:35:40,609 and feel a part of something 1853 01:35:40,693 --> 01:35:43,779 and feel connected to each other. 1854 01:35:43,863 --> 01:35:47,074 ♪ I'm gonna come up for air ♪ 1855 01:35:47,158 --> 01:35:49,118 ♪ I'm gonna come up ♪ 1856 01:35:49,201 --> 01:35:50,327 ♪ For air ♪ 1857 01:35:50,411 --> 01:35:53,747 ♪ I'm gonna come up for air ♪ 1858 01:35:53,831 --> 01:35:56,083 ♪ I'm gonna come up ♪ 1859 01:35:56,167 --> 01:36:00,045 ♪ For air... ♪ 1860 01:36:00,129 --> 01:36:01,797 David: We need this. 1861 01:36:05,092 --> 01:36:07,970 ♪ You're finally breathing ♪ 1862 01:36:08,053 --> 01:36:11,557 ♪ For the first time ♪ 1863 01:36:13,517 --> 01:36:19,148 ♪ You finally found your peace of mind ♪ 1864 01:36:19,231 --> 01:36:21,442 ♪ So don't you throw it all away ♪ 1865 01:36:21,525 --> 01:36:23,486 ♪ Don't throw it all away ♪ 1866 01:36:23,569 --> 01:36:26,447 ♪ Don't throw it all away ♪ 1867 01:36:27,865 --> 01:36:29,658 ♪ Don't throw it all away ♪ 1868 01:36:29,742 --> 01:36:31,911 ♪ Don't throw it all away ♪ 1869 01:36:31,994 --> 01:36:35,456 ♪ Don't throw it all away ♪ 1870 01:36:35,539 --> 01:36:38,250 (pensive music playing) 1871 01:36:38,334 --> 01:36:41,420 Kyle: The moment that made me the most emotional 1872 01:36:41,504 --> 01:36:44,215 was green screen stuff of you guys. 1873 01:36:44,298 --> 01:36:48,010 Like, I got to see you all in your homes, like, 1874 01:36:48,093 --> 01:36:50,054 just being silly and being kids, 1875 01:36:50,137 --> 01:36:52,806 and I stopped seeing all these characters that we wrote 1876 01:36:52,890 --> 01:36:58,395 and I just got to see you and I got to see you, um... 1877 01:36:58,479 --> 01:36:59,688 (clears throat) 1878 01:36:59,772 --> 01:37:03,526 Uh, I got to see you just making art, 1879 01:37:03,609 --> 01:37:06,779 not worrying about a pandemic, and having fun and being silly. 1880 01:37:06,862 --> 01:37:11,534 It was just such a, um, just a really great reminder 1881 01:37:11,617 --> 01:37:14,411 that, you know, you're all still here 1882 01:37:14,495 --> 01:37:15,871 and you're gonna be okay. 1883 01:37:15,955 --> 01:37:17,998 And we're gonna move on and keep, 1884 01:37:18,082 --> 01:37:20,167 keep making meaningful art. 1885 01:37:20,251 --> 01:37:24,588 (peaceful music continues) 1886 01:37:24,672 --> 01:37:29,260 ♪ Everything changes... ♪ 1887 01:37:29,343 --> 01:37:32,721 ♪ ♪ 1888 01:37:32,805 --> 01:37:37,268 ♪ Everything changes... ♪ 1889 01:37:37,351 --> 01:37:40,521 ♪ When does this feeling go away? ♪ 1890 01:37:40,604 --> 01:37:43,816 -♪ Everything changes... ♪ -♪ What it takes to survive... ♪ 1891 01:37:43,899 --> 01:37:46,110 (singing in rounds) 1892 01:37:46,193 --> 01:37:48,946 -♪ Just breathe... ♪ -♪ You're drowning, you're drowning... ♪ 1893 01:37:49,029 --> 01:37:50,823 ♪ Everything changes ♪ 1894 01:37:50,906 --> 01:37:53,409 ♪ Come up for air... ♪ 1895 01:37:53,492 --> 01:37:57,037 all: ♪ When will this change? ♪ 1896 01:37:57,121 --> 01:37:59,790 (soulful orchestral coda playing) 1897 01:38:10,551 --> 01:38:12,344 (viewers laughing) 1898 01:38:12,428 --> 01:38:13,429 (switch clicks) 1899 01:38:13,512 --> 01:38:15,556 (rock music playing) 1900 01:38:23,689 --> 01:38:26,108 I just calculated day 452 1901 01:38:26,191 --> 01:38:29,945 since the first COVID lockdown in California. 1902 01:38:30,029 --> 01:38:31,447 So, pretty wild. 1903 01:38:31,530 --> 01:38:33,282 Um, approaching 500 days. 1904 01:38:33,365 --> 01:38:34,617 (clears throat) That's crazy. 1905 01:38:34,700 --> 01:38:36,660 Today we at Chapman University. 1906 01:38:36,744 --> 01:38:38,162 You know the vibe, guys. 1907 01:38:38,245 --> 01:38:40,247 It's me and mommy here today. 1908 01:38:40,331 --> 01:38:41,457 Move-in day. 1909 01:38:41,540 --> 01:38:43,584 -Feelin' good. -I love this place. 1910 01:38:43,667 --> 01:38:45,794 -Yeah. -Oh, my gosh, it's so awesome. 1911 01:38:45,878 --> 01:38:47,504 It is really nice out here, guys. 1912 01:38:47,588 --> 01:38:49,548 Like, really nice, the people are wonderful. 1913 01:38:49,632 --> 01:38:51,342 Michqwelyn: The people are really wonderful. 1914 01:38:51,425 --> 01:38:52,509 The scenery, guys, 1915 01:38:52,593 --> 01:38:54,803 just look at everything, you know? 1916 01:38:54,887 --> 01:38:56,430 Moved into my dorm, 1917 01:38:56,513 --> 01:38:58,724 in SUNY Binghamton. Super excited. 1918 01:38:58,807 --> 01:39:00,601 Here's my desk and everything. 1919 01:39:00,684 --> 01:39:02,978 There's my side of the bed, that's my roommate's. 1920 01:39:03,062 --> 01:39:04,897 Looking forward to an exciting year. 1921 01:39:04,980 --> 01:39:07,900 I am still working at Country Canine Groom and Board. 1922 01:39:07,983 --> 01:39:10,152 I've been with them for about four months now. 1923 01:39:10,235 --> 01:39:12,154 Best first job I could have ever asked for. 1924 01:39:12,237 --> 01:39:14,281 Working, saving up money for California. 1925 01:39:14,365 --> 01:39:17,242 And I'm gonna be a makeup artist. 1926 01:39:17,326 --> 01:39:20,663 I leave for school in 30 days 1927 01:39:20,746 --> 01:39:21,830 from today. 1928 01:39:21,914 --> 01:39:24,166 I'll be moved in on September 5th, 1929 01:39:24,249 --> 01:39:26,585 and I started packing, 1930 01:39:26,669 --> 01:39:29,713 and I'm really excited to live in New York 1931 01:39:29,797 --> 01:39:31,882 for the next four years. 1932 01:39:31,965 --> 01:39:34,343 I'm starting at West Virginia University 1933 01:39:34,426 --> 01:39:36,595 at Parkersburg, which isn't far from home, 1934 01:39:36,679 --> 01:39:38,764 so I'm still here at my parents' crib. 1935 01:39:38,847 --> 01:39:40,265 And while I'm here, I'm working 1936 01:39:40,349 --> 01:39:41,767 on a new YouTube series 1937 01:39:41,850 --> 01:39:43,852 that quite frankly I think 1938 01:39:43,936 --> 01:39:45,270 can take over the internet. 1939 01:39:45,354 --> 01:39:48,190 I am currently in my college dorm. 1940 01:39:48,273 --> 01:39:50,025 I committed to Cornell University. 1941 01:39:50,109 --> 01:39:53,445 I have a single dorm as you guys saw. 1942 01:39:53,529 --> 01:39:55,531 I honestly really love it here, 1943 01:39:55,614 --> 01:39:57,825 so I'm just excited to see 1944 01:39:57,908 --> 01:40:00,577 what's gonna happen in the next four years, but yeah. 1945 01:40:00,661 --> 01:40:03,205 I'm finally going out at school, everything I've been working for. 1946 01:40:03,288 --> 01:40:05,666 This is my freshman year, it's like it's finally happening. 1947 01:40:05,749 --> 01:40:07,334 See? I'm excited. 1948 01:40:07,418 --> 01:40:10,671 I'm really happy with where I am at right now in life. 1949 01:40:10,754 --> 01:40:12,172 I'm doing great, 1950 01:40:12,256 --> 01:40:14,717 and I'm still at De Anza. 1951 01:40:14,800 --> 01:40:16,510 Uh, planning to transfer 1952 01:40:16,593 --> 01:40:18,137 to UCLA though, 1953 01:40:18,220 --> 01:40:19,596 um, next school year, 1954 01:40:19,680 --> 01:40:21,765 which I am very excited for, 1955 01:40:21,849 --> 01:40:23,267 but I am working 1956 01:40:23,350 --> 01:40:24,852 real hard to do that, 1957 01:40:24,935 --> 01:40:26,603 to make the plan a reality. 1958 01:40:26,687 --> 01:40:28,564 I'm working on my associates degree 1959 01:40:28,647 --> 01:40:29,982 in stenography at BridgeValley 1960 01:40:30,065 --> 01:40:31,233 Community College, 1961 01:40:31,316 --> 01:40:32,985 and I'm also still working 1962 01:40:33,068 --> 01:40:34,278 at I Scream Sundae 1963 01:40:34,361 --> 01:40:35,571 and Hallowbeans. 1964 01:40:35,654 --> 01:40:36,613 Hi, everyone. 1965 01:40:36,697 --> 01:40:38,907 I'm at lunch right now in Sichoba, 1966 01:40:38,991 --> 01:40:40,159 a little art installation 1967 01:40:40,242 --> 01:40:41,910 that they have here in New York City. 1968 01:40:41,994 --> 01:40:45,038 I'm in college. I have studio in just a few minutes, 1969 01:40:45,122 --> 01:40:46,915 so I'll see you guys later. 1970 01:40:46,999 --> 01:40:49,126 (peaceful music playing)