Student Life

Arts

Theater at Saint John's

Every year, Saint John's Theater puts on several shows for the community. Many talented students have the opportunity to audition and perform at three major productions throughout the school year or become involved with set construction or stage crew.

Improv Society is a group run by students and geared towards the improvisational side of storytelling. The Audio Production Club provides technical support for Masses and other events on campus. The Studio Art Club meets weekly to practice and share their talents. And many musicians find a place in small group ensembles after school in addition to the daily curriculum.

While always known for academic rigor and athletic excellence, attention to the performing arts grew with the inception of the Spring Show in the 1970s. There was a renewed interest in theatre and music owing to the pioneering work of several faculty and alumni.  Things were looking up for the arts even more as the school community moved into the Ryken Center which included the first true theatre space on the Shrewsbury campus in 1999. At that time a semester requirement of Fine Arts study was added to the curriculum to help fulfill the school’s mission to educate the whole person, including his aesthetic awareness and growth.

As the school now moves into Founders Hall with a state-of-the-art theatre and performing space, band and chorus rooms, and a light-filled art studio, it is exciting to witness how the program is continuing to grow for the future. 
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"

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  • Opportunities for Students

    AUDITIONS/ Show Specific Stage Crew (Grades 9-12)
    Contact Mr. Colby for information regarding upcoming auditions and stage crew -  ncolby@stjohnshigh.org

    AUDIO PRODUCTION (Grades 9-12)
    The Audio Production Club runs sound for many events on campus.  Most notably, Audio Production is responsible for the setup and operation of all sound for Saint John's Masses and Prayer Services. Contact Mr. Bill White (English Teacher) for more information at bwhite@stjohnshigh.org.

    IMPROV SOCIETY (Grades 9-12)
    The Improv Society is a student-run organization that meets most Fridays after school in the black box theater.  Stop in anytime to get involved or just enjoy a few laughs.  2:30-4 PM.  Contact Mr. Borchelt for more information at fborchelt@stjohnshigh.org.

    Saint John's Network (Grades 9-12)
    The Saint John's Network (SJN) is a student-organized video journalism club dedicated to showcasing the unique life at Saint John's. Student journalists and videographers meet weekly to collaborate, plan, script, film, and produce video news clips which are then published on SJ's YouTube Channel (Saint John's Live). SJN gives its members the opportunity to explore exciting topics and have fun sharing those stories with the Saint John's community.  See Mr. Woodmansee (jwoodmansee@stjohnshigh.org) for more information about how your vision can be shared through the SJN. 

    SET CONSTRUCTION (Grades 9-12)
    Stage Crew typically meets Tuesdays and Fridays in the Lauring Scene Shop on the lower level of Founders Hall from 2:30-5.  Any Saint John's student in grades 9-12 can help with set construction at any time.  There is no need to commit to every day or fill out an application form for construction.  If you have additional questions, contact Mr. Colby at ncolby@stjohnshigh.org.
  • Recent Drama Productions

Visual Arts Program

The Fine Arts Department at Saint John's High School offers several courses for students interested in exploring their creativity. From drawing to painting to art history, students can now utilize brand new, state-of-the-art studio facilities in Founders Hall. 

Two new large art studios are among some of the highlights of the new arts and academics building, which also includes a cutting edge Graphic Arts and World Language computer lab, a 350-seat Performing Arts Center, music practice spaces, a two-story band room, and 14 classrooms.

Studio Art 1, Studio Art 2, Studio Art 3, and Ap. Art History is offered annually for any student interested in taking an art course. 

Students interested in Studio Art Club can get more info from Mr. McMenemy, mmcmenemy@stjohnshigh.org

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  • Opportunities for Students

    STUDIO ART CLUB (Grades 9-12)
    Art Club typically meets one day a week after school in the Art Studio from 2:30-3:30. Art Club provides extra time for students to continue work started in class or just hang out with other artists, even if they are not enrolled in art.

    See Mr. McMenemy for information about the Studio Art Club and other opportunities! mmcmenemy@stjohnshigh.org
  • What's Coming Up

    THURSDAY, MAY 1
    Spring Arts Fest
    Founders Hall
    5-7 PM
     
    Saint John's Fine Arts is once again excited to present the Spring Arts Festival!  Arts Fest is an opportunity for Saint John's visual artists to share their work with the larger community.  This event features a variety of students and artistic mediums.  Food and music provided by Saint John's musicians will help to round out this wonderful community event!

    Questions:

    SaintJohnsArts
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Music Program

Recently, members of the Saint John's Fine Arts Department were particularly struck by archival photos of a large orchestra and drama society from the early part of the last century at Saint John's High School.

While always known for academic rigor, the school gained its deserved reputation for excellence in arts as well. Eventually, interest in music and theater began to grow at Saint John's with activities like the wildly popular Spring Shows under the leadership of Mr. Joe Hayes, Mr. Bob Brady and Bro. Stephen Comeau. There was a renewed interest in theatre and music owing to the pioneering work of several faculty and alumni. 

Things were looking up for the arts even more as the school community moved into the Ryken Center in 1999. At that time a semester requirement of Fine Arts study was added the curriculum to help fulfill the school’s mission to educate the whole person, including his aesthetic awareness and growth.

A fledgling instrumental program grew to three instrumental ensembles and a chorus under the direction of Mr. James McCluskey and Mr. Richard Monroe.  As the school now moves into Founders Hall with a state-of-the-art theatre and performing space, band and chorus rooms, and a light-filled art studio, it is exciting to witness how the program is continuing to grow for the future. Mr. Nathan Colby now teaches theatre production along with an introductory course in theatre arts.

With all of these developments we can all look forward to the day a hundred years hence from now when students will be looking at photographs of our visual arts displays in the theatre lobby, large-scale musical ensembles and Broadway-quality theatre productions.

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  • Opportunities for Students

    AUDIO PRODUCTION (Grades 9-12)
    The Audio Production club runs sound for many events on campus.  Most notably Audio Production is responsible for the setup and operation of all sound for Saint John's Masses and Prayer Services  Contact Mr. Bill White for more information, bwhite@stjohnshigh.org.

    LITURGY MUSICIANS (Grades 9-12)
    Students interested in performing vocally or instrumentally at school masses and prayer services should contact Mrs. Breeze. ebreeze@stjohnshigh.org.  Or Mr. Monroe. rmonroe@stjohnshigh.org

    PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES (Grades 9-12)
    Many after-school opportunities are available for students interested in a variety of musical styles. Please see Mr. McCluskey, Mr. Monroe, or Mr. Colby if you're interested in getting involved with the music program.

    Tri-M Honor Society (Grades 9-12)

    Tri-M is a nationally recognized honor society for music students who excel and are dedicated to their art.  Membership is open to students in the performance ensembles.  Please see Mr. McCluskey with questions. jmccluskey@stjohnshigh.org
  • What's Coming Up

    THURSDAY, MAY 1
    Spring Arts Fest
    Founders Hall
    5-7 PM
     
    Saint John's Fine Arts is once again excited to present the Spring Arts Festival!  Arts Fest is an opportunity for Saint John's visual artists to share their work with the larger community.  This event features a variety of students and artistic mediums.  Food and music provided by Saint John's musicians will help to round out this wonderful community event! 

    Questions:
    arts@stjohnshigh.org

    SaintJohnsArts
    follow on X and Instagram

SJ Arts News

Events & Extracurricular Offerings

Saint John's High School is excited to announce auditions for Monty Python's Spamalot School Edition.  

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy of characters, cows, killer rabbits, and French people!  The School Edition maintains the integrity of the original script while providing some sensible edits to the text.  This outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
Find more information here!

Questions:

SaintJohnsArts
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Theatre & Arts Space Rental

Theatre & Arts Space Rentals

Interested in renting Saint John's facilities or indoor spaces for your event or show? Learn more!

No matter the size, type or timing of your event, Saint John’s has a place for you.  In our continuing effort to keep Saint John’s tuition affordable for all students and serve the community in which we all live, Saint John’s opens its doors to many spaces that may suit your needs.  From a small luncheon to a lecture for 1,000, A film festival, board meeting or full scale athletic or theatrical event Saint John’s can accommodate your every need!
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Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Through the Saint John’s strong college preparatory curriculum, over 900 students in grades seven through twelve pursue personal and intellectual growth in an environment that is committed to the development of the whole person and recognizes a moral dimension of life through service to God and to others.