The content that follows was originally published on the Darby Pop Publishing website at https://www.darbypop.com/press/on-stage-no-one-can-hear-you-scream/

If you have a web connection, then you’re probably already aware of North Bergen High School’s stage version of Alien. The student production absolutely lit up the internet, garnering attention from both original star Sigourney Weaver and director Ridley Scott. But what you probably didn’t know is that the production has a strong link to Darby Pop Publishing in the form of one Steve Defendini — the show’s Art Director… whose work was featured in both Side-Kicked Vol. 1.5 Expanded Edition and the Fake Empire TP.  We caught up with Steve during the whirlwind of press for Alien: The Play to get some behind-the-scenes info on how it all came together!

First things first, who came up with the idea for turning ALIEN into a high school production? And how’d you get your school to sign off on it?

Thanks for asking.  It’s been a whirlwind few weeks but we are still so touched that everyone is reaching out to hear our story. The original idea came from Perfecto Cuervo, the play’s director. He loved the movie and thought it was such an ”out there” idea that he wanted to try it. We had worked a little together the previous year on his production of “Night of the living Dead,” but this was a much more intensive job where we needed to be in constant communication. I usually make a display specifically for our annual art showcase of student work, but this play required a much more public display of what some of our students were capable of. So I told Cuervo that I wasn’t sure if it was possible, but we were going to try it anyway. Cut to a few months later, and here we are.

Between all the shows the both of us have been involved in for the past few years, I think the school has a certain amount of trust in our creative decisions. North Bergin has so many moving parts with so many activities that there is a certain amount of creative autonomy that staff are given and are very thankful for. We are very aware that we are still in a school setting, so there were many changes that needed to be made in order to make the show “school appropriate.”

How long did pre-production take?

We started pre-production around October. We had to not only figure out how to design everything, but also what materials we needed to resource. Astronaut helmets, Xenomorphs, and space bridges are not ordinary things to have in any school, regardless of budget. So we had to get creative. You would be surprised how often people get rid of televisions… which just so happen to look great in a space ship bridge. Meanwhile, Perfecto had to start adapting the movie into a play and then start the casting process.Teaching the ins and outs of a 40-year old movie to a bunch of high school students is no easy task.

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What challenges did you guys have in adapting an R-rated film (one from the 70’s, mind you) into something that could not only be performed in front of the student body, but also stayed within your budget?

The film, the GREAT film by Ridley Scott, has some scenes which were just not going to work for a high school setting. A lot of what is maybe considered too violent or difficult given the subject matter didn’t work, so we adapted it by implying some of the action instead of showing. We still kept a lot of what was there; it’s just a little softer around the edges now. The chest bursting and the decapitated robots remain intact!

Did you ever expect to get the reaction to this production that you’ve received? It’s been pretty phenomenal.

We typically play to an audience of parents and friends, so this is above and beyond what we are used to. The first two nights were really sweet and we were so thankful anyone showed up at all to watch us attempt this insane idea. It’s nice when the local community supports the arts and all the hours of hard work every student put into this. “Humbled” and “blessed” are two words we have been repeating often, but they really are the strongest words to sum up this whole experience. There is so much intelligence and creativity to be had in the minds of these students and we were able to show that to the world.  🙂

To check out more of Steve Defendini’s art, be sure to pick up Side-Kicked Vol. 1.5 and the Fake Empire TP  from the Darby Pop Publishing store