The Middle School theatre program focuses on building effective communication through exploring, creating and finding our own story. With an emphasis on ensemble work and group process, students explore their creativity both as individuals and as part of a team.
Units in creative storytelling, improvisation, playwriting, design and performance, allow students to experience the broad range of skills theatre has to offer; skills which can be applied both on stage and beyond. Throughout their years in the Middle School the theatre program encourages students to explore and discover a deeper understanding of themselves, their classmates and the world around them through the unique lens of theatre and how that lens illuminates our differences, our similarities and our humanity.
Each spring, students can participate in the Middle School Musical, a production with beautifully designed costumes, sets and lighting. This musical production is the shared vision of our theater and music teachers. It calls upon skills learned in theatre class for many students and incorporates vocal coaching and choreography. Students with an interest in technical theatre are encouraged to work behind the scenes to support the show.
Playwright Sophocles brought Antigone to the stage in 441 BCE. CJ Miller, Middle School Theater teacher and Antigone director/writer brought the story to life in a modern way for the AFS community.
Read The StoryIn the fall, Middle School Theatre Teacher Mary Carpenter approached Middle School Math teacher and musician Justin Solonynka to ask if he’d be willing to work together on the middle school show. She explained that it would not be a traditional musical as in the past, but a play. However, Mary envisioned that there would be an abundance of transitional music and sound effects. Last year, Justin music directed the Upper School musical Peter and the Starcatcher. He li
Read The StoryEighth grade students in theater classes produced two one-act plays that they had written and stage-designed in the first semester.
Read The Story
