Five Greek friends. One island. And a prophecy from an oracle that all but one of them will die. If you were surrounded by the four people closest to you, would there be an easy answer on who to give up? Well, in North Atlanta’s 2025 one-act play, Where the Sky Meets the Sea, Astra, Carissa, Irene, Tobias, and Luka all set themselves into this world of uncertainty. Behind this production, the theatre department is eager to bring their imagination to life on stage, promising a jaw-dropping performance that will leave the audience glued to their seats.

So, from the thousands of possibilities available, what made this play stand out? Although the title sounds like it could be a song from Moana, that could not be further from the truth. When choosing a play, theatre teacher Mr. Snyder wanted one that would inspire his students to discover new sides of themselves and take on characters unlike the ones they had been used to. “Last year, our comedy was really  successful, but part of being an educational theatre is about learning and growing,” Snyder said. 

Sometimes, getting out of your comfort zone can open doors to a world full of opportunities. This is the case for junior Ava Lambert, who plays the Oracle in the play. She is a member of the City Springs Theatre Conservatory and played Mrs. Tottendale in last year’s musical The Drowsy Chaperone. “This is my first time doing a straight play that is not a musical,” Lambert said. “Learning how to perform without that music has been a new, exciting challenge.” 

While the audience can only see the cast members when they’re on stage, it’s also essential that a spotlight is placed on the crew. None of the sets, costumes, lighting, sound, or props would be possible without the dedication of the students and teachers behind the scenes. A key figure backstage is Juniper Negron, one of the leads of the set department, who has been consistently involved ever since the one-act play One Lane Bridge in 2023. While discussing her duties, Negron radiated extreme passion for what she does. She said, “Set is a very physically demanding role, but everyone has their own niche technique for their respective departments.”

Although the one-act and the musical often get mixed up, the biggest difference is the competitive side of the one-act play. This year, it’s taking place on October 29th at the Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center. In a randomly assigned order, students are faced with the challenge of running their play in less than 55 minutes.

 But before the competition happens, you have the chance to experience an unforgettable journey firsthand at North Atlanta High School. So mark your calendars for October 2nd and prepare yourself for the ultimate question: who will live and who will perish? Stick around until the very end and you shall “sea.”