At its heart, School of Rock is about finding your voice.
It’s about discovering the thing that makes you come alive, having the courage to share it, and finding people who will listen. It reminds us that young people have something important to say—and that sometimes, the best thing we can do as adults is give them a place to say it.
That idea feels especially meaningful to me as we bring this production to the stage.
Finding a place to have that stage has become an ongoing challenge for Bristol Theatre Company. Like so many arts organizations, we continue to struggle to find an affordable, appropriate, and sustainable space where we can rehearse, perform, create, and welcome our community. This production was no exception. We are incredibly grateful to be here, but our search for a permanent home continues. We hope our community will recognize the value of having a place where theatre—and the people who make it—can grow and thrive and will join us and the other arts organizations in the community, find that home.
Because what happens in a theatre is about so much more than putting on a show.
Over the course of this production, I have had the absolute joy of watching this remarkable group of young actors grow. Yes, they are incredibly talented. You’ll see that for yourselves! But what has impressed me even more is who they are when the spotlight isn’t on them. They are kind. They are considerate. They support one another. They take risks, laugh together, work hard, and celebrate each other’s successes. It has been a privilege to spend this time with them.
Theatre gives children a place to belong. It builds confidence, creativity, empathy, resilience, responsibility, and teamwork. It teaches them to listen to one another, to trust one another, and to understand that every person—whether standing center stage or working quietly behind the scenes—matters. They learn that their individual voice is important, but that something extraordinary can happen when all those individual voices come together.
And really, what could be more School of Rock than that?
None of what you see today happens without an enormous community of people behind it. To our production team, crew, volunteers, families, board members, and every person who gave their time, talent, energy, patience, space, resources, or support to this production: thank you. Theatre is the ultimate team sport, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped give these young performers the opportunity to stand on this stage.
And to this cast: thank you for trusting me, for making me laugh, for working so hard, and for reminding me why we do this.
School of Rock tells us that sometimes you have to turn up the volume, make a little noise, and remind the world that your voice deserves to be heard.
These kids have certainly found theirs.
Now, it’s time to let them rock.
Kara Rocha
Director
