Fairfax County students produce popular dramatic podcast

Andrew Nguyen

By David Siegel 

Even during these stressful times of COVID-19, the theater adage “the show must go on” remains true. But how? In response to the pandemic, local high school students came up with an answer: develop a fast-paced original podcasting series.

The multiple-episode series is called the “Rockfish Gap Show.” The series is set in Northern Virginia, as well as the Rockfish Gap area near Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

“Rockfish Gap” is totally new, an independently produced fiction podcast, created entirely by student artists.

The show can be accessed here or on Apple’s list of popular podcasts. 

“Rockfish Gap” takes place in the “right now” with Virginia and the nation in the midst of a pandemic. The overall premise is this: Four high school students disappear in Shenandoah National Park. They had set out in search of a mysterious “White House of the Woods.” Along the way, they meet up with eccentric characters and mysterious government agents. An investigative journalist named Jessica Matthews battles a conspiracy to uncover the truth about the students’ disappearance.

“I was in love with the storyline, and the rich, nuanced characters which drove the plot,” said filmmaker and “Rockfish Gap” Executive Producer Andrew Nguyen, a student at Falls Church High School. “I am in love with the Shenandoah region and thought it would be a great opportunity to highlight the beauty and mythology of the region.”

Nguyen noted that “Rockfish Gap” has become part of a national trend for podcasting. Episodes are 10-15 minutes in length.

Charlie Adams

George Mason High School students Colter Adams and Charlie Adams are “Rockfish Gap” writers and actors. Colter also wrote the music for the series. Natalie Ingalls of Falls Church High School plays lead character Jessica Matthews. 

Gillian Murphy (originally from Fairfax County, now living in Cambodia) is one of the missing kids and CC Meade (George Mason High School) plays another missing kid.

Katya Shakula (South Lakes High School and Fairfax Academy) is the show’s marketing producer responsible for developing social media promotional material. Dolly Lebow and Daisy Forbes (both from Falls Church High School) are the graphic design team.

Original “Rockfish Gap” fast-paced episodes continue every Wednesday this summer. Previous episodes are available for streaming. 

This is not old-fashioned radio drama. Check it out at your own leisure on your cell phone, computer, or other digital device.

This article is based on a story in the Connection Newspapers. Photos courtesy of the “Rockfish Gap” show.