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Welcome to The Club!
Welcome to The Club!
With over 100 inducted members, five class options, and a flood of new faces entering every semester, it might feel hard to find your place in SDA's theatre. However, when you talk to someone who spends a lot of time in the theater, you can see how many have taken to calling it their home. See their stories below.
"I really like being a part of the theater, and I really love doing lighting. I spent a lot of time here last year because I was a part of almost every show, and I'm a lead electrician right now and I follow-spot for a lot of the productions, eventually I will be designing the lighting for shows! I love the people in thespians, and I like that it was such a nice place to come into freshman year of high school!"
-Ainsley Peacock, '27
"I was first introduced to SDA theater in middle school when I saw past performances at the school. They inspired me to join the theater in my first year at SDA. In participating in the fall afterschool show and enrolling in the acting classes, I soon came to learn that the program is a place where I can completely be myself while surrounded by many friendly and uplifting people. It's an incredibly fun extracurricular and the opportunity to spend class time doing what I love has enhanced my high school experience. I started with acting, but have had the opportunity to experiment with technical aspects such as hair and makeup (that's what I started with) but I'd also like to try scenic art (set painting) in the future. This photo is from my Freshmen year performance as Annie in the One Act Festival in a production of"Sleepover."
-Lucinda Rothman '27
"My SDA experience has been wonderful, to say the least. I have already gained so much being in the theater and thankfully there is so much more to learn. I have a true passion for acting, and SDA has helped me get closer to being a better and more professional performer. The community here is so welcoming and I always felt uplifted by everyone. Being in the Thespian troupe has allowed me to explore the world of acting and opened doors to a possible future in theater. I will carry my SDA theater experience with me forever"
-Aidan McCarty '27
"My favorite part of SDA theatre is the community because it's just such a great group of really nice people. I also really like my role behind the scenes (set construction and asm) as the process of building up the stage into an awesome set is super fun. The theater gives you all these leadership opportunities and you learn how to work with people because when it really comes down to it, you need everyone around you. And like how Mrs. Siers says, "Being part of the theatre department means being a part of a family. A really weird family.""
-Skye Fenati '26
"The theater program here really is my home away from home. I've been apart of it since my freshman year, and have found my life completely changed for the better by the people here and the shows I have done. I have found a life long passion within assistant stage management/stage management, and because of my involvement in SDA's program I have been given several opportunities outside of school to work professionally and hone my skills, and I can't say how grateful I am for that! I think anyone will find themselves welcomed here with open arms, there is a place for all in our "family". Not only is it incredibly fulfilling to see your hard work be met with praise, the people have made my past four years here exceptional, and make every show such a joy to work on.
Theater is love. Theater is life <3
Rock on!"
-Mary Grenda, '25
“Community is such an important thing to me and theatre is the perfect place to find that. Everyone is so awesome and welcoming and even after such a weird first year with COVID-19 when I was a freshman I still felt that sense of belonging in the theatre. Drama allows for a safe place to get out of your comfort zone and explore characters so unlike yourself, and it makes for incredible friendships because almost everyone is just as weird as you!"
- Bryn McCarren '24
“I’ve been a part of the theatre program since freshman year. I’ve met most of my friends here and have definitely created so many memories that will last a lifetime. When I came to SDA I never anticipated directing plays and then writing a whole show but I could never be more grateful for it. This theater is like a second home and you can truly feel the love it holds when you walk in. "
- Hailey Armentrout '23
“I have been involved in the theatre for as long as I can remember but it was always separate from my school life. When I started at SDA, this was one of the biggest changes that I noticed because suddenly my school friends and my theatre friends were both in my Acting 1 class. One of my favorite aspects of the theater is that there truly is a place for everyone. Being involved in SDA theater has exposed me to a wonderful community. The thespian meetings are always a blast, and even when you are not directly involved in a show it is always just as exciting to go and support your friends."
- Sophia Funicello '23
"My SDA theatre experience hasn't been at all what I expected, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I've learned so much from Ms Siers, David, and of course all of my amazing friends and peers. Being a part of this program not only enhanced my abilities as a performer, but has sparked a love for working behind the scenes on various technical crews. I'm looking forward to my final year in this program and making the most of it with the most amazing people and mentors."
- Isabella Thierry '22
"The theater program at SDA is such a wonderful place. My freshman year I was the only freshman in the musical which made me very nervous about trying to make friends, but everyone was so open and kind that I ended up making a ton of really great friends. I do a lot of theater outside of school, but nothing tops the environment at SDA."
- Brandon Feffer '22
"I have met some of the best people I’ve ever known in the SDA Theatre. It’s so amazing to have a place where I can fully be myself and have so many people supporting me! I love all of our weird theatre traditions, too! I never thought I would want to be a technician before I came to SDA, but now I live doing props more than acting! I am so grateful to this theatre for giving me a safe and happy space to enjoy every day of high school :) "
- Ella Darlington '22
"When I came in as a freshman, I thought, 'Wow. Who am I gonna hang out with?' and I found these delightfully weird people who are just themselves, and it makes me want to be genuinely myself as well. I think in high school it’s essential to have some good role models and people who inspire you and who you learn from, and I think for me, I definitely found those people in thespians."
- Ellery Bolton '21
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