Theater

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.

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 Saint John's Drama Productions

Winter 2025 - Metamorphoses
Fall 2024 - Spamalot
Spring 2024 - 4AM/The Magic Hour
Winter 2024 - The 39 Steps
Fall 2023 - Bye Bye Birdie
Spring 2023 - Clue
Winter 2023 - The Sound of Music
Fall 2022 - Winter Break
Winter 2022 - Twentieth Century
Winter 2021 - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fall 2021 - 7 @ 7
Winter/Spring 2021 - SJ Man Project
Fall 2020 - War of the Worlds
Spring 2020 - Smokescreen
Winter 2020 - Eurydice
Fall 2019 - Anything Goes
Spring 2019 - Harvey
Winter 2019 - Almost, Maine
Fall 2018 - A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Forum
Spring 2018 - An Evening of One Acts
Winter 2018 - Is He Dead?
Fall 2017 - Damn Yankees
Spring 2017 - Playboy of the Western World
Winter 2017 - Twelve Angry Men
Fall 2016 - Little Shop of Horrors
Spring 2016 - The Tempest
Winter 2016 - Private Lives
Fall 2015 - White Christmas
Spring 2015 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Winter 2015 - A Doll's House
Fall 2014 - Nice Work if You Can Get It
Spring 2014 - The Comedy of Errors
Winter 2014 - The Importance of Being Earnest
Fall 2013 - Babes in Arms
Summer 2013 - Summer Music and Theater on the Green
Spring 2013 - Godspell
Winter 2013 - Pygmalion
Fall 2012 - Guys & Dolls

What's Coming Up

Saint John's Theatre Announces Auditions for:

Metamorphoses - by Mary Zimmerman

Auditions are open to Saint John’s Students in grades 9-12
and high school girls from the surrounding communities.
Auditions: Wednesday, November 20th, 2:30-4 in the black box

Callbacks: Thursday, November 21st, 2:30-4 in the black box
Performances: January 30th through February 1st in the black box

Based on Ovid's transformation myths, the play subtly mixes the ancient stories of pathos and tragedy with contemporary language, humor, and thought. The themes of love, the inevitability of change, and the human ability to adapt to change are timeless, as is amply demonstrated by the sometimes eerie closeness of a vignette to the original lines from Ovid, which still manage to resonate with modern viewers.

Stage Crew Applications for SJ students in grades 9-12 are available here.

Questions can be directed to Mr. Colby at ncolby@stjohnshigh.org

SaintJohnsArts

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