After a period of silence, we at Taft’s Masque and Dagger are returning brighter, bolder, and more determined to make theater the heartbeat of student life again! The student-run theater society, once a core part of Taft’s creative community, has now been revived by co-leaders Isaac Obeng ‘26 and me, Alvin Wang ‘28. We dug through old playbills, talked with the arts office, and essentially said, “Why not us?” Our answer arrived on October 5th, 2025, with a small yet energetic crowd gathered in the Black Box Theater.
For decades, Masque and Dagger had been the banner under which Taft students made theater of every stripe, from Shakespeare to modern works, including tech-heavy pieces that turned the Black Box into its own laboratory. Old playbills and yearbooks show cycles of grand surges and quiet spells, depending on student energy and available space. But the constants were the student leadership, and all hands on deck: actors hammering flats, designers leaning on ladders, and stage managers running the room. Our society often doubled as a training ground, where newcomers learned about lights, sound, and props from experienced thespians.
Our recent “silent” period wasn’t the first lull; every generation has faced its fair share of obstacles, whether from schedule crunches, campus renovations, or pandemic shutdowns. But Masque and Dagger has a habit of bouncing back when a few determined students decide it matters. Past revivals introduced traditions like scene nights and festival one-acts. Additionally, these efforts helped build ties with other art classes, so writers, filmmakers, and tech crews could come together.
Our kickoff had everything we love in theater. Attendees tossed around script ideas, ridiculous improv games, and gold-standard introductions that included memorable gestures to help each other remember one another. Isaac led us in revisiting the history of Masque and Dagger, where the club came from, what we’ve prepared for the members, and why it mattered. I guided everyone in looking ahead, discussing the future structure of the club and the kinds of activities it will host. Following the talk, there was a hopeful discussion on potential collaborations with film classes and other clubs. The afternoon was capped with a sweet surprise of snacks, curated personally by me. We wrapped up with a memorable group photo of those who attended that day.
Masque and Dagger matters because theater is one of the few arts that bring the whole community together, with writers, performers, techies, and designers all working as one team. It’s where you can build a set, shape a light cue, craft a stunning costume, and discover that voice you thought you never had. We’re planning a scene night later this year to showcase short pieces and student-written one-acts. Even if you’ve never touched a script, there’s always a spot for you in the cast or crew; that’s kind of the point.
Consider this your cue to join Act One of a reborn Masque and Dagger. Look out for posters, announcements, or find Isaac and me to become part of something great! Join us on the club hub page and come to meetings every Sunday at 4:30 PM to get started! The curtain is rising once again at Taft. We can’t wait to see you on stage.
