Robert (Mako) Amano is currently a sophomore here at Arcadia High School (AHS). He is also currently in Advanced Theater. When looking at his daily schedule, some may say it’s amazing, or even crazy, how he still manages to stay on top of everything, from theater to academics.

Advanced Theatre rehearses after school most days to work on their semester production (last semester was Peter and the Star-Catcher, this semester is Mama Mia!) and also work on their Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Festival scenes for the remainder of their time. DTASC Festival is a competition with multiple categories where different theater groups compete in trying to make the best scene with limited materials. 

When it comes to performing, Mako stated that “nothing can explain performing better than just watching yourself.”

In Peter and the Starcatcher Mako played Mrs. Bumbrake, the nanny, and he played Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!. In middle school, his sister’s friend, Alistair Moore, was in a Norse mythology production called “Ragnasplosion” in middle school, and she instantly became his idol after watching the play. From then on, he was inspired to be on stage, performing and entertaining others. 

Mako usually acts out comedy, but recently he acted in a short film called See You Next Time, starring other theater members, such as Lily Gao, Kapono Langit, and Kylie Mara Norton. It follows a high school student through a perfect relationship and the worst breakup after four months of dating.

At times, theater class does get really hard to balance and takes a lot of time and effort to maintain both grades and rehearsals. Mako emphasized that “as long as you really love what you do, it will all be worth it in the end.” Mako really loves how close the community is in Advanced Theatre and it makes him feel like it’s his home away from home. All of the theater cast members are his closest friends and if it wasn’t for them, “I wouldn’t know if I’d like it half as much as I do.”