Located between Richmond and Charlottesville, Goochland High and Middle Schools comprises diverse students with award-winning performing arts programs. Our Drama Department comprises middle and high school students and offers a variety of academic classes and extracurricular programs.

Inspiring students to create positive relationships and take full ownership of their art while growing as a theatre community.

• Six high school courses cover various theatre subjects, including acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre.

• Two middle school courses (7th and 8th grade introductory courses)

• Mainstage Productions Include one play and musical at the high school level and one middle school production run entirely by an artistic staff of high school students.

• Membership of the International Thespian Society (Troupe #6704). 

• Fine Arts Summer Camp Opportunities for Elementary School Students

• Participants in the Virginia High School Sports League One-Act Play Festival

• Participants in the annual Virginia Thespian Festival 

Neil Burch, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is currently in his tenth year as the artistic director for the Goochland Drama Department. Mr. Burch holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio University (2010) and an M.A. in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado (2015). Mr. Burch has directed over 20 theatre productions and annually participates in the VHSL One-Act Play competition. In 2016, the GHS Drama production of Kaleidoscope was a state qualifier for class AA. Mr. Burch also served as the GHS Forensics and Debate coach from 2012 to 2018. In 2017, Mr. Burch won the title of teacher of the year at Goochland High School, and he currently serves on the planning committee for the Virginia Thespian Festival. He would like to thank his current and former students for inspiring him to be a better artist, but also his wife for all the love and support that she gives. 

Erinne Smitherman is the Choral Director of Goochland Middle School and Goochland High School, as well as the Music Director for the Goochland Drama Department. Mrs. Smitherman earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal and Choral Music Education from James Madison University in 2022, following her graduation from Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia, in 2018. In her capacity as Music Director, Mrs. Smitherman has overseen the musical direction of a few Goochland Drama Department productions including Disney's NEWSIES, She Loves Me, and Bright Star. Additionally, she acted as the Bluegrass Band Director for Bright Star. In her third school year at Goochland Middle and High School, Mrs. Smitherman is very excited to be involved in the upcoming season in the Goochland Drama Department, and is ready to kick off the 2024-2025 school year!

Nicole Melton was active in theatre classes and productions at both Godwin High School and Longwood College as a student.  She holds a BS (2000) and MS(2001) in Special Education from Longwood.  She taught in Loudoun and Henrico counties before settling in Goochland. She enjoys collaborating with the artistic team and students on the productions held at GHS.  She loves seeing the students develop as artists from middle schoolers through their graduation.

Mrs. St. John has degrees in English and Education and has worked for over 30 years with the federal government in Human Resources, planning, and development.  Since her retirement, she has volunteered extensively with various community services and schools.  She began volunteering with the Goochland Drama Department in 2015 when her grandchildren started middle school and drama activities.  She has worked on every show since that time - costumes, props, sets, planning events, organizing volunteer activities, fundraising, etc.  She coordinates volunteer activities for the department, and many get to know her through her work with Show Tech Week Meal process.  

Mrs. St. John also enjoys reading, traveling, college football and basketball, and spending time with her husband, Roger (who also volunteers with the department), her 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.  

Jay Sykes has been with Goochland County Public Schools since 2001. He has conducted multiple theatre productions throughout his time as an educator for both the high school and middle school. Mr. Sykes teaches concert band, percussion, and marching band for grades 6th through 12th.