Performing Arts

Upper School players

Players, SCH’s award-winning Upper School theater troupe (est. 1936), carries forward a proud tradition of excellence. With two productions each year—a fall play and a spring musical—students step into every aspect of theater, from acting and directing to technical design, set construction, and leadership. For nearly a century, Players has been a stage where talent grows, creativity flourishes, and community comes together.

outside the rec

The Rec, SCH’s performing arts center, is currently undergoing a historic renovation. In 2016, Upper School students launched Outside the Rec—an educational extension of their theatrical curriculum. This student-led forum creates space for cast and crew to unpack complex themes, challenge outdated perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue inspired by the issues raised in each production.

Performing Arts Overview in Upper School

At SCH Academy, the Performing Arts transform passion into performance, giving every Upper School student the chance to grow as both artist and storyteller. Through our distinctive Theatre Production Curriculum, students in grades 9–12 choose from five concentrations—Acting, Technical Design, Advanced Acting, Directing, and Playwriting—and work together to bring productions to life. In Acting, students build foundations of stage presence and improvisation; in Technical Design, they tackle scenic, lighting, and sound design; and in advanced courses, they step into the complexities of directing and playwriting. Because all courses meet simultaneously, students collaborate in a true production setting—actors, designers, playwrights, and directors moving a project from script to stage, side by side.

For those eager to dive deeper into the broader theatrical landscape, our History of Musical Theatre course traces the genre’s evolution from golden-age classics to contemporary works like Hamilton and Rent, weaving together cultural context, dramatic analysis, and archival performance study.

Rooted in creativity, communication, and ensemble practice, SCH’s performing arts curriculum empowers students to find their artistic voice, embrace creative risk, and build confidence and collaboration skills that carry far beyond the stage.

Theatre education in the Lower School is thoughtfully woven into each student’s experience, introducing storytelling, character development, and collaboration through imaginative, play-based learning. From classroom scenes and musical performances during assemblies to full-scale productions, these early experiences spark creativity, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of the arts. Throughout the year, students share their growth in vibrant performances, ensuring every child has a chance to shine.

Recent productions, such as the second-grade boys’ musical It’s a Hit!, exemplify this approach. Through music, movement, and storytelling, students explored teamwork, good sportsmanship, problem-solving, and learning to win—and lose—with grace. They contributed to every aspect of the production, including designing colorful stage backdrops that reflected their vision. From early rehearsals to opening night, students experienced the full theatrical process, celebrating growth, collaboration, and character—lessons that extend far beyond the stage