The Show Must Go On

LIVE THEATER IS BACK at Country Day and better than ever. From innovative presentations and award-winning shows, students in all divisions have had opportunities to shine on stage. Beginning in junior kindergarten, students perform in front of peers, parents, and faculty. Lower School plays, which are often curriculum-based, help students build confidence and develop communication and public speaking skills. The progression of performance skills builds in Middle School with a fall play and spring musical. By Upper School, students may choose from 10 different theater arts courses and audition for awardwinning productions.

See You at Nationals

The Upper School Theater Department put on a stellar production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this past fall. In addition to delighting Country Day audiences, the cast and crew took home multiple awards at the regional North

Carolina Theatre Conference, including first place. At the state competition, Country Day won:

• North Carolina High School Play Festival Distinguished Play

• Excellence in Acting: Aaryan Chopra, Jack Cooper, Sophie Davis, Lance Toppin, and Kennedy Wallace

• Barbizon Production Award Excellence in Stage Management: Katie Sluder

• Excellence in Choreography

• Daniel A. Seaman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Theatre

• John W. Parker Award for Excellence in Directing

The ensemble headed to the national competition in March (too late for us to report on in this issue). No matter the result, we are so proud of this talented group. Congratulations on their accomplishments so far.

Lower School Extracurricular Play

Every Lower School student has a chance to shine on stage in class and grade-level plays. In January, third and fourth graders interested in taking theater beyond their class productions, got to be part of the extracurricular play Willy Wonka Kids. Drama teachers Krista Maggart and Katy Johns led practices with the students every day after school for more than a month. Congratulations on a spectacular show.

Middle School Innovates

In October, Middle School theater students, under the direction of Aaron Mize, put on a wonderful and innovative performance of Myth Adventures. Audience members were escorted through five one-act plays at various outdoor sites on Bissell Campus. Everyone had a great time learning why they might not want to shake hands with King Midas, why Narcissus can’t pull himself away from that pool of water, and just how high Icarus can fly before he falls.

Anastasia a Hit

In February, Upper School put on an amazing production of Anastasia, The New Broadway Musical. A few weeks before the show, Christy Altomare, who played the original Anastasia for the Broadway production, conducted a workshop for cast members. Country Day was proud to host and appreciated her efforts to help our students find success on the stage!