Arts
Performing Arts
An appreciation for the performing arts is instilled from the beginning of a student’s journey at St. Andrew’s. From exploring dramatic play in kindergarten to putting on professional level productions at the Dell Fine Arts Center in the Upper School, there are opportunities for performance at every grade level.
Lower School
Lower school drama classes prepare students for brief skits and readings in chapel services to more full-scale productions that include makeup, costume, and choreography. Productions in the lower school include second graders memorizing lines and creating puppets for their Stone Soup performance, first graders putting on Christmas and Easter pageants in chapel and the fifth grade play performed in the Nazro Lab Theater in the Dell Fine Arts Center on the Upper School campus.
Middle School
At the middle school level, students continue to explore, learn and grow within the field of performing arts, putting on both dramatic plays and large-scale musicals each year. Past productions include Seussical and Beauty and the Beast for the sixth grade musical, Peter and the Star Catcher for the eighth grade play and Spongebob: The Musical, Newsies and Into the Woods for the eighth grade musical performed in the main theater in the Dell Fine Arts Center.
Upper School
Along with the opportunity to perform in a variety of productions, Upper School students can enroll in classes in acting, theater production and technical theater, providing a comprehensive performing arts education. The Upper School Musical is a highlight of the program, drawing city-wide attention and accolades for it’s high level production, direction and acting along with top-notch lighting, costumes, and award winning set design. Past shows have included Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Little Mermaid, Catch Me If You Can and Sweeney Todd.
Upper School students can also enroll in Dance I, a year-long course open to dancers of all experience levels. Students study technique and history across multiple styles including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Musical Theatre. The course includes guest master classes, opportunities to choreograph with peers, and culminates in a Spring Showcase featuring instructor, guest choreographer, and student pieces. Dance I offers dual credit, fulfilling both Fine Arts and Athletics graduation requirements.
Dell Fine Arts Center
The state of the art Dell Fine Arts Center is located on the Upper School campus. It is not only a backdrop for impressive dramatic and musical performances for the Upper School, but often a performance venue for our Middle School students. Having the opportunity to perform at such a high quality facility gives middle schoolers an exciting preview of the opportunities they’ll have as Upper School drama students. It also prepares Upper School students for the expectations and facilities of performing arts at the college and professional level.
