Welcome to the Trinity’s first ever Advanced Performance Theatre production!
What a joy it is to share this production with you tonight! There is something truly amazing about the interaction between a cast and their audience, and we’re excited to share that experience with you tonight.
One of the things that has most impressed me about this particular group of students is their passion for theater. To be part of this class, each student had to have already taken Performance Theater twice. However, these seven students have a combined 28 semesters of Performance Theater experience, highlighting their immense dedication to their craft.
The verse chosen by our seniors for this school year is Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” It’s been a delight to watch these students come alongside one another, valuing others above themselves, to produce something greater together than they could have done on their own.
I first saw evidence of this Philippians 2 humility as we discussed what kind of story we wanted to share in this production. The students focused on classic literature adaptations that would draw in the whole Trinity community. They were eager and excited to share the magic of live theater with the Lower School students as well as their peers and the broader Trinity community. Whereas some students might have thought first of the roles they wanted to play or the opportunities to gain applause for themselves, these students focused first on the needs of others.
When asked what they wanted more of in an Advanced Theatre class, the students responded that they wanted to “own” more aspects of the productions. As you will see, they are skilled actors, but it was a new experience for them to develop a creative vision for a production and bring it to life. Every part of tonight’s performance—costumes, sets, accents, makeup, program, characterization, blocking, props, and more—is covered in the creative fingerprints of these seven brilliant students. This much collaboration requires great humility, and they have worked together seamlessly to honor one another in this production.
Gabby, Thomson, Annie, Emma, Brooke, Katherine, and Kate, I couldn’t be more proud of you. It has been such a joy to watch you all develop as performers but also grow in your love for and support of one another. You have taken ownership of this show in remarkable ways, and I can’t wait for your audience to see all your incredible accomplishments. Thank you for the many ways you have walked out Philippians 2:3-4 in this process.
At Trinity, we desire to communicate God’s truth, goodness, and beauty to our students and the world around us. It is our hope that through this production of Alice in Wonderland you will recognize God’s truth, his goodness, and his beauty reflected in the gifts of each student on stage. May the offering of these students’ talents be an arrow that points back to the source of those abilities, the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
Non Nobis,
Carrie Sippy
