On July 13th, FCSN showcased their production of “Super Mario Bros with a Twist” at their annual Summer Drama Camp, held from July 10 to July 12 at the FCSN Fremont Center. The camp allowed participants to engage in auditions, act in diverse roles, and collaborate with others, including other participants and student volunteers.

This year’s camp reimagined the classic Super Mario narrative, adding unique elements that transformed the familiar movie into a live-action performance. “Many of our participants are huge Super Mario fans. Super Mario Bros checked all the boxes,” program coordinator Jennifer Chu said. The choice was also fitting as the original Super Mario movie explores several positive themes, including the importance of family, perseverance, and confidence, aligning with the camp’s objectives of personal growth and collaboration.The costumes were well-designed, remaining authentic to the Super Mario universe and allowing for a captivating performance; program directors chose bright colors and recognizable items from the game, such as Mario’s red cap and Luigi’s green shirt, to bring the characters to life on stage. As a result, the characters were immediately recognizable.

Choreography was another highlight, tailored to showcase each character’s personality while accommodating the performers’ varying skill levels. Using songs like “Kung Fu Fighting” and “Happy,” the choreographers crafted movements that mirrored the playful and adventurous spirit of the game, including synchronized jumps and different animated gestures.

However, such a coordinated performance does have its challenges. “Casting proved challenging due to the popularity of the characters, resulting in several split roles to ensure everyone had a chance to participate on stage,” Jennifer said. The incorporation of choreography also presented unique challenges, requiring teachers to find adaptive teaching strategies for the performers. “We had to find creative ways to cue the kids for different moves,” William Zhou, a camp instructor, said.

Despite that, the benefits and joy from the performance were felt by performers and audience members alike. “Being able to act as another character in a drama allows [my daughter] to explore different personalities, and I felt that her confidence was raised significantly,” Helen Chou, whose daughter played Koopa, remarked. Participants also appreciated the camp’s emphasis on teamwork. “It makes me work with my friends rather than just working independently. It’s really good for social interactions,” said Christina Wong, who portrayed Mario.

“We hope that by stepping on stage, they learn to believe in themselves on and off stage. We’re thrilled when participants express their anticipation for next year’s drama camp and eagerly await the next movie choice,” said Jennifer Chu, echoing the other opinions. The dedication and creativity of all the participants, volunteers, and audience members involved ensured that “Super Mario Bros with a Twist” was a memorable success, celebrating the power of imagination and collaboration.