Schreiber Times

Starting this school year, Schreiber's Media Club offers students an opportunity to explore and develop their media skills in a collaborative environment. The club meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in room 105, offering members a space to explore various forms of media, such as writing, video production, photography, and digital design.

The club fosters creativity and allows students to engage with modern technology while developing their communication skills. It provides a forum for freedom in broadcasting, allowing students to create content without strict rules, as long as it remains appropriate for a school environment.

Members of the Media Club participate in group projects and receive feedback from peers and mentors. This environment promotes teamwork and encourages individual growth. The club welcomes students of all skill levels and backgrounds, ensuring that everyone can participate.

Through workshops led by Mr. Jeremy Klaff and Mr. Pete Koch, members learn how to use editing tools such as Adobe Premiere and CapCut, common apps used in the media industry. The teachers create a supportive and dynamic atmosphere that prepares members for future careers or personal projects.

"Creating the club gives freedom to all broadcasters in the school who wish to express creative content. Whereas Port Vikings focuses on sports and SNN focuses on school news, students in the media club can do movie reviews, talk about pop culture, or work on anything else that would be creative content that entertains the Schreiber masses," said Mr. Klaff

Schreiber provides many opportunities for students to get involved with the media world. In Mr. Klaff's Radio Podcasting class, students gain valuable experience in public speaking, interviewing, and creating news shows for rebroadcast. In his Sports Broadcasting class, students learn how to cover varsity sports teams as if they were MLB, NBA, or NFL teams through creating videos and other forms of content to post on social media.

Port Vikings is a student-run sports news outlet. Students conduct interviews with players and coaches, gaining valuable insight into the teams and their performances to educate the Port Washington community about Schreiber's teams. They also call live games, highlighting their commentary skills while bringing exciting coverage to Port Washington.

This year, Mr. Klaff introduced Schreiber News Network, SNN, as a unique opportunity for seniors to gain experience in news broadcasting. SNN allows students to connect with the Schreiber community to discuss current events and news happenings at Schreiber. Through this platform, seniors develop their communication skills while keeping students informed about important events at school. What makes the club special are the students who are committed to creating content and ensuring its growth for future generations.

"Over the years, students have stepped up in terms of their media coverage. Port Vikings was started by a motivated group of students from the radio station a few years back, and since then the recent students have built upon the successes of the pioneers," said Mr. Klaff.

The founding student presidents of the Media Club—sophomores Gabriel Jaffe, Evie Loewy, and Lucy Johnson—are deeply passionate about media and have already contributed many creative ideas to the club.

"Media Club offers students a platform to explore various interests, develop essential skills, and engage with their school community," said Loewy.

Not only is the club a place to develop technical and professional skills, it is a community. Students from various backgrounds come together to collaborate on creative projects, share their ideas, and support each other's growth. Whether producing a short film, conducting an interview, or designing a digital campaign, members work as a team to bring their visions to life, fostering both friendships and valuable hands-on experience.

The presidents are constantly looking at ways to offer more students a chance to develop their media skills in this creative environment.

"I encourage all students to join as it is such an inclusive environment where everyone's thoughts can be shared and supported," said Johnson.

During the 2025-Broadway season, theater-goers have had the chance to see The Queen of Versailles, a new musical starring Kristin Chenoweth, best known for her performance in Wicked, and F. Murray Abraham, an Academy Award winner for his performance in Amadeus. This musical adaptation of Lauren Greenfield's 2012 documentary details the lives of Jackie Siegel, a former Miss Florida, and her husband, David Seigel, a timeshare company owner, as they struggle to build America's largest private residence in Orlando, Florida. With a talented cast, and music and lyrics by the renowned Steven Schwartz, the show was expected to be a tremendous success.

The musical began previews on Oct. 8, 2025, and it opened on Nov. 9, 2025, at the St. James Theatre. Despite earning revenue of $1 million per week, only two weeks after opening, the show unexpectedly announced it would be closing on Jan. 4, 2026. After surprising audiences with this news, the end date of the production shockingly changed to Dec. 21, 2025. Weak advanced ticket sales and the inability to match the high costs of running the show have been cited as the reasons for the production's shortened run.

"This was supposed to be a full season, and it is sad to see it end so quickly. When a show looks successful from the outside, with big stars and an amazing production team, you assume it is going to go far. This really shows how unpredictable Broadway has become," said senior Aurora Mata.

The news signals the growing and consistent post-pandemic trend of uncertainty for Broadway musicals. High production costs and low-ticket sales are a large part of why shows cannot make it. Reviews and word of mouth can also make or break a show.

"This story shows the highs and lows of chasing the American Dream. It is glamorous and dazzling, but it also forces you to think about the cost of ambition. The musical does not shy away from showing both sides, which makes it emotionally powerful," said senior Ethan Borda.

The reviews of The Queen of Versailles have been mixed. Although critics highly praise Chenoweth's spectacular performance and Schwartz's fantastic score, they point out areas of weakness such as inconsistencies in pacing and tone throughout the show. Furthermore, some say the show is tone deaf. The financial collapse of 2008, highlighted in the show, may be too close to home for many in today's economic and political climate and it may be especially difficult to promote audiences during the holiday season.

Prior to its Broadway debut, the musical premiered at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre in July of 2024, where it set record-breaking box office numbers and built significant buzz. Chenoweth and Abraham reprised their roles for Broadway and, joined by the full ensemble and original creative team, they fueled expectations that the production would run well into 2026.

The sudden early closing has been a disappointment for cast, crew, and fans alike. It is a let-down that a show with so much talent behind it is closing less than two months after its official opening. Everyone involved poured so much into creating something bold and new. For many theater lovers, The Queen of Versailles offered a rare blend of real-life drama and theatrical spectacle, an exploration of wealth, loss, and the pursuit of something bigger than oneself.

The decision to close the show underscores the challenges of maintaining a large-scale musical on Broadway, especially when ticket sales waver, even when weekly revenue appears strong.

Tickets for the remaining performances at the St. James Theatre are available through Dec. 21, 2025, giving audiences a shortened window to see the show before it takes its final bow. Despite its unexpectedly brief Broadway life, The Queen of Versailles has left a notable imprint, proving once again how quickly fortunes can rise and fall, both onstage and off.

On April 3, The Drama, one of the most anticipated dark comedies of the year, will be released to theaters. The film stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship begins to unravel just days before their wedding. With a mix of emotional tension and unexpected humor, the movie explores how secrets can dramatically alter even the strongest relationships.

"A film centered around a wedding falling apart right before it happens is interesting because it combines romance with chaos. Audiences are drawn to stories where everything seems perfect on the surface but quickly falls apart due to hidden truths. It creates suspense and makes viewers question what they would do in a similar situation," said junior Matisse Byrnes.

Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, the film follows Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and Charlie Thompson (Pattinson), whose relationship is pushed to its limits after a shocking revelation comes to light. Rather than focusing on a traditional romantic storyline, the film highlights the emotional consequences of honesty and deception. In contrast to typical wedding-centered movies, the goal is to examine the fragility of trust through both dramatic and comedic elements.

The cast also includes Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, and Hailey Gates, who contribute to the film's dynamic storytelling. Additionally, Zoë Winters appears as a wedding photographer, adding another layer to the unfolding drama. These supporting roles help build the tension surrounding the couple's unraveling relationship while adding moments of humor and realism.

A notable aspect of the film is its unique marketing strategy, which included a fictional engagement announcement that revealed detailed backstories for the main characters. Emma is portrayed as a bookstore employee with a background in English, while Charlie is depicted as a museum director with an academic focus in art history. These details provide insight into their personalities and make the conflict feel more grounded and believable.

"The idea of revealing a major secret right before a wedding adds a lot of tension to the story. Since weddings are usually shown as happy endings, flipping that expectation makes the film more engaging. It also makes the audience more invested because they want to understand what went wrong," said junior Lucas Victoria.

Another key element of The Drama is how it blends genres. While it is marketed as a comedy, the film also incorporates serious themes such as trust, identity, and the consequences of past decisions. This balance allows it to appeal to a wide audience, from those looking for humor to viewers interested in deeper emotional storytelling. The combination of lighthearted moments with intense revelations keeps the narrative unpredictable.

One of the most talked-about moments from the trailer is a scene in which the couple participates in a game with friends that leads to the unexpected revelation. What begins as a lighthearted interaction quickly shifts in tone, showing how quickly situations can escalate when personal truths are exposed. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the rest of the film, emphasizing how a single decision can have lasting consequences on relationships.

In addition to its storyline, the film has gained attention due to its connections to other major upcoming projects. Both Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are set to appear together in future films, including The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three. Their continued collaboration has sparked interest among fans, making The Drama an important first step in showcasing their on-screen chemistry across multiple genres.

"I think mixing comedy with serious relationship issues makes the movie more realistic. People don't always react to difficult situations in a purely serious way, so adding humor can actually make the story feel more authentic," said junior Nicole Arenas

As the release date approaches, The Drama continues to attract attention not only because of its star-studded cast but also due to its unconventional storyline. By focusing on the collapse of a relationship rather than its success, the film challenges traditional expectations of romantic narratives. This approach highlights how even the most carefully planned moments can be disrupted by unexpected truths.

To achieve this impact, the filmmakers combine strong performances, sharp dialogue, and a unique premise that keeps audiences engaged. By exploring both the comedic and emotional sides of a relationship in crisis, The Drama offers a fresh perspective on love and honesty while demonstrating how quickly things can change when long-hidden secrets finally come to light.

On April 1, Survivor will premiere its landmark 50th season, adding to its status as one of the longest-running reality programs since its debut in 2000. To celebrate this 50th anniversary, the production team has invited twenty-four returning contestants from across the show's entire history. The roster includes a mix of legendary old-school and fan favorite new era players.

"A series that has run for 50 seasons indicates the producers can update their series each year but keep the original essence of the show. Returning contestants offer viewers a glimpse into how players have evolved their strategies over time. Long-time fans, in particular, enjoy seeing familiar faces adapt their gameplay, often in ways that differ markedly from the approaches they took earlier in their Survivor careers," said junior Lucas Victoria.

Host and Executive Producer Jeff Probst noted that the production team worked diligently to assemble a diverse cast that represents the evolution of the game. Instead of having an overarching theme for the season, this cast reflects many types and styles of contestants as opposed to strict categories such as "heroes vs. villains." In contrast to previous seasons, the goal is to reflect the progression of Survivor throughout the many years through its exciting challenges, risky decisions, and on the edge of your seat reactions!

Actor, producer, and creator of School of Rock and The White Lotus Mike White competed on Survivor: David vs. Goliath, reaching the final three through a consistently strong social strategy, adaptability across shifting dynamics, and competitive performances in numerous challenges. His gameplay earned him multiple jury votes, securing a spot as one of the season's finalists.

A devoted fan of the Survivor series, White had even discussed his own ideas for the show with Jeff Probst before stepping onto the island. Benjamin "Coach" Wade is another notable returning contestant on Survivor. He earned a reputation for his flamboyant gameplay and outspoken leadership on his tribes in Survivor: Tocantins, Heroes vs. Villains, and South Pacific.

Coach's influence was such that he cultivated strong alliances, assigned memorable "million-dollar" nicknames to his tribe members, and reached the Final Tribal Council multiple times. This season, players like Mike White and Coach Wade bring a mix of bold strategies and larger-than-life personalities, highlighting the diverse approaches to the game.

"Having familiar players on the cast allows for greater suspense throughout the entire season because the audience is already acquainted with these individuals from their previous appearances in prior seasons based on relationships formed during earlier competitions. Additionally, I believe that returning players are likely to adopt a more cautious approach, having a full awareness of the stakes involved this time around," said sophomore Ryan Messinger.

One of the major new features for this season is the addition of a voting method allowing people to impact some elements of the gameplay. The producers have revealed that they will incorporate audience input into some of the twists that will happen in the game, so there will be some ways for the audience to influence the game in addition to how the producers will make those decisions. The intention of this change is to create a unique aspect for the 50th season while also continuing with the traditional framework of the game. As of now, there is no information regarding what specific aspects of the game will have voting capabilities.

"I think the new voting feature could bring in new viewers. Younger audiences are used to interacting with their shows, so letting fans influence the game might make more people watch, even if they haven't seen past seasons," said freshman Brigitta Rudegeair.

As the show reaches its milestone of fifty seasons, Survivor continues the tradition of being an exemplary reality television series by consistently combining elements of the past and present to create a show that still brings viewers to the edge of their seat. But this 50th season of the show demonstrates how unusual it is for a reality television series to endure such success and popularity over a long period of time.

To achieve this goal, Survivor's producers provide a sense of nostalgia through the inclusion of familiar details from previous seasons in addition to introducing fresh components to maintain Survivor's strategic challenge and social interaction and attract both long-time fans and new viewers while highlighting how Survivor has changed and evolved throughout 25 years of on-air entertainment.