Lynnfield’s student-directed ‘Flicker’ honored

LYNNFIELD — Recent Lynnfield High School graduate Izzy Moschella and rising junior Siri Tudi led LHS’ Theatre East past the preliminary round of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival for the first time in five years this spring.

Moschella and Tudi co-wrote and co-directed “Flicker,” the one-act play that three students earned awards from the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild for their role in. Moschella won an award for technical excellence in directing, Tudi won for technical excellence in music composition, and Veronica Wainwright won for acting in the role of Elizabeth.

Moschella said there were around 35 to 40 members of the cast and crew of “Flicker.”

“Everyone in our cast and crew played such an important role and the show would not have been the same, or would not have been able to happen, without every single person that was there,” she said.

On the day of the festival, Moschella said she was shocked and in disbelief when it was announced “Flicker” won in the preliminary round.

It had been over five years since LHS passed through the preliminary round and no one, including LHS English teacher and Drama Fest director Joey Puleo, had seen it before, she said.

“We all jumped up. We all gave each other a lot of hugs. There were a lot of tears. A lot of, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we did it.’ A lot of, ‘Oh, I’m so proud of you,’ to each other,” Moschella said. “And we got a standing ovation when we moved on, which was really special. So yeah, I mean that day is always going to be so special to me.”

Moschella said “Flicker” is a play about an author, who takes the form of a ghost, as they come to terms with their sudden death. The main character, Charlie, befriends other ghosts living in his house and helps them come to terms with their deaths as well.

“Even though it sounds very deep, and it is, it’s a comedy. It’s meant to be funny. It’s meant to have heartfelt moments, but it’s also meant to have a lot of funny moments,” Moschella said. “I wanted to convey a story that was hopeful and funny.”

Puleo said Moschella first approached him to write and direct her own show shortly after the 2023 Drama Fest in March, when the school performed “Antigone Now.”

“I was hesitant at first, since this would be a new experience for the students and me. However, even though I was nervous, I was also intrigued and excited about the idea,” he said.

Moschella said Tudi approached her later and asked to collaborate on the play. “I said, ‘Yeah, of course. Art is collaborative, so the more the merrier.’”

She said Tudi’s award for composition was “very impressive” because she made all the original music for the play.

Moschella said she expected directing her peers to be challenging, but everyone was extremely supportive.

“I did my best to listen to what everyone else was saying because, again, art is a really collaborative process,” she said.

Puleo said this was his first time working with student directors.

“Izzy and Siri exceeded my expectations,” he said. “They were so professional, and I was impressed at the way they were able to lead their peers. They had such a compassionate and honest approach to their directing that they immediately gained the respect of all cast and crew members.”

Moschella, who will study film and television at New York University this fall, said LHS Theater East is a “family” and the auditorium is a “safe space.”

She said the freshmen look up to the seniors and it was special to have the opportunity to lead the underclassmen as a senior director.

“We take care of each other 100%. I never feel uncomfortable or unsafe around any of those people. And I’m really grateful for that,” Moschella said. “You know that there are people there who are going to take care of you and care for you no matter what happens in life, and that’s a really special thing.”

Moschella said she learned invaluable lessons from this experience that she will use in college and her career.

She said for any student who is thinking of writing and directing their own play, “do it. Everybody has a story to tell and everyone starts somewhere.”

It can be a long and difficult process, she said.

“It’s very vulnerable and it can be very scary, but it’s also so rewarding to see something that you’ve only known internally to be portrayed externally,” Moschella said.

“Overall, this was one of the most rewarding experiences. I was so proud of everyone involved. Each member played a crucial role in making the show successful, and multiple leaders emerged throughout the process,” Puleo said. “I want to continue to have student directors, and I would be open to students writing another show in the future.”

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