Dramatic Arts

List of 12 items.

• 19-20 LS: The Phantom Tollbooth (remote)

  A stage version of the beloved children's book, discover Milo’s adventures in the Land of Wisdom, where he’s forced to think about many new things. Although Severn's campuses closed during the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our Renaissance Drama crew put together a remote version of the play to share with our community. With Ms. Holly Florian leading the charge, they recorded sections of the play on Zoom, using the dramatic improv techniques they had worked on all year and a lot of creativity!

• 19-20 US: Sunday in the Park With George

  Sunday in the Park With George is a well-known Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It tells the story of a fictionalized version of the painter Georges Seurat in the months leading up to the completion of his most famous painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” It's an exploration of the artist’s obsession with creating meaningful, innovative art paralleled with a struggle to maintain personal relationships and love. The play travels through the neo-impressionist era of 1880s Paris to the postmodern era of 1980s New York, opening the door for an imaginative performance, transformative musical score, and iconic costuming and set design. Our players embraced the challenging and entrancing play with elegant style and the confidence of a troupe that has spent years on the stage. Click here for photos.

• 19-20 LS: We Are Monsters

  This year the Renaissance drama crew staged "We Are Monsters," a hilarious musical that follows human kids into a monster cabaret filled with quirky monster characters. The adventurous humans uncover vegetarian vampires and rock n’ roll werewolves, gradually realizing there may be more to these monsters than meets the eye! Most importantly they discover the importance of friendship and celebrating in the attributes that make each of us different and unique. Click here for photos.

• 19-20 US: The Tempest

  Exiled, Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero's usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all of their lives. The Water Street Players performed William Shakespeare's classic, The Tempest, in the Stine Environmental Center Outdoor classroom.

• 19-20 MS: Show and Spell

  Five middle schoolers take on overzealous parents, crazy coaches, and nostalgic relatives as they prepare for the annual spelling bee in this insightful comedy for young actors. With contestants that range from an unflappable cheerleader who cheers all her words to the anxiety-prone daughter of a movie star, spelling the words correctly may be the least of these kids' worries. Our 6th and 7th grade Drama Club did a fantastic job with this play that illustrates the pressure kids feel to compete, and the family support that makes it all bearable. 

• 18-19 US: Once Upon a Mattress

  Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. The play was written as an adaptation of the 1835 Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea". Our Upper School Water Street Players' side-splitting shenanigans lit up the stage in Price Auditorium with this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance. Click here for photos.

• 18-19 LS: Mulan Jr.

  Based on Disney’s Oscar-nominated film, Disney’s Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and the fighting spirit. With hit songs and a story packed with action, humor and heart, The show brings ancient China to life with a modern sensibility. Our Lower School Renaissance drama crew did an amazing job with this challenging play — the choreography and vocals were dazzling, highlighted by stunning costumes, set design and lighting. Click here for photos.

• 18-19 LS: Dear Edwina Jr.

  Dear Edwina Jr., follows the adventures of plucky advice-giver extraordinaire, Edwina Spoonapple, as she directs the neighborhood kids in a series of buoyant numbers for the latest edition of her weekly show, “Advice-a-palooza.” Colorful costumes and vibrant stage design were perfect complements to the heartwarming and energetic performances by all. The audience tapped their toes and hummed along with song after song during this joyful and hilarious production. Click here for photos.

• 18-19 US: The Crocodile

  Based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story.
  Ivan Matevich, a working actor in his thirties, is visiting the zoo one afternoon with his best friend Zack. As a response to Zack's desperate attempt to persuade him to abandon the stage for more worthwhile pursuits, Ivan climbs into the crocodile cage and is swallowed whole. At first, Ivan cries out for someone to slice the beast open and rescue him...but, when he discovers that his new situation brings him instant celebrity, he comes to see it as a smart career move, and sets out to exploit it to the fullest. Playwright Tom Basden turns Dostoyevsky's classic allegory into a satirical play about capitalist inhumanity and political celebrity in the Twitter age. Click here for photos.

• 18-19 MS: Murder in the Knife Room

  Our 6th and 7th grade Drama Club staged this hilarious "whodunnit" story and parody of classic murder mysteries with well-practiced comedic timing and energy that had the crowd laughing in their seats. Click here for photos.

• 17-18 LS: Madagascar, A Musical Adventure Jr.

  There’s something contagious about the energy of our 4th and 5th grade Renaissance Drama students. After months of rehearsal — singing, dancing, learning stage directions, and practicing light and sound — our Lower School performers’ rendition of Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr. left the crowd smiling and jumping out of their seats. Led by Musical Director Ms. Mary Gaylord and Drama Director Ms. Chelsea Padro, our Lower School troupe took us on a hilarious journey of friendship with madcap hijinks around every corner. Click here for photos.

• 17-18 MS: Shrek Jr.

  Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical.  It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. Click here for photos.