High School Drama Director from Bucks County Featured in ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’

Tom Sofield | LevittownNow.com•

Tracey Gatte in a promo photo from the show.

At the urging of her students, Tracey Gatte, drama director at Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol Township, auditioned for Netflix’s reality show "Squid Game: The Challenge.”

Gatte, who promotes a "yes” mindset among her students, used the philosophy to decide to try out for the show.

"Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?” she often asks, encouraging students to participate in school plays and musicals.

Her students suggested she audition for "Squid Game: The Challenge.”

"My Theatre 3 class shot and edited my audition video, and within three days, Netflix called me,” Gatte said.

The Truman faculty member then flew to London for the shooting of the reality competition series, but she had to keep it a secret from friends, family, and coworkers.

While Gatte can’t reveal her performance in "Squid Game: The Challenge,” but she said she made international friends, with plans to meet in 2024.

"Overall, I had a positive experience on the show,” Gatte said.

The show, inspired by the South Korean thriller series "Squid Game,” features 456 contestants from 35 countries competing in childhood games for a $4.56 million prize, the largest in reality TV history.

Netflix will release the first five episodes of "Squid Game: The Challenge” starting on Wednesday.

Gatte is familiar with reality TV, having appeared in NBC’s "Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge” in 2016. She was also featured in Michael Sokolove’s "Drama High,” which inspired NBC’s "RISE.” Her character was played by actress Rosie Perez.