Theater has always had a special place within the Abington Friends School community. It provides a creative outlet and platform for students to showcase their talents with productions ranging from comedic musicals to tragic Shakespeare.
The program attracts students across all grades, with new and seasoned actors alike finding a welcoming space for them.
Theater teacher Kittson O’Neill always urges younger students to audition for shows as she wants many people to be involved.
O’Neill said, “You don’t always get the big part you want the first time out. We try to include as many people as possible in each cast.”
Performances such as last year’s The Wiz and Three Sisters have become memorable parts of the AFS experience and are looked forward to by students and faculty alike.
O’Neill said, “Theater is an opportunity for students to build a work of art as a team, it’s an act of agency rarely in a high school.”
Freshmen looking to go into theater at AFS have many opportunities. Students can participate in both front and behind-the-scenes roles.
Many students this year are advocating for more younger students to venture into the world of theater including student Ivy Stinson 25’.
Stinson said, “If you’re interested in theater, audition for the shows! They are open to everyone and we’d love to have more people in the community.”
Although often overlooked, technical parts of theater are as important as the actors who bring the characters to life. Thankfully, AFS has an active student staff that brings out the creativity in students to design productions from the ground up.
JMASS is open to all students.
The only requirements for going to build-call are, “close-toed shoes and a hair tie,” says Technical Director Seth Schmitt-Hall,
“It’s a place where you can cut something, build something, make something with your hands.”
JMASS is a great opportunity for those who enjoy or have an interest in creating.
Besides being a great place for creativity to thrive, students also have the opportunity to strengthen bonds across grades through the shared goal of putting together a show piece by piece.
