The Upper School theatre program put on a spotlight show that consisted of dances, monologues and scripts read out loud on Dec. 6, 2023.

It included performances from students involved in the fall musical, “Mean Girls,” and those who are in theatre and dance classes.

Upper School Drama Instructor and Theater Director Valerie Hauss-Smith referred to these classes as “skills classes,” ones that develop the skills for the play and musical.

Sophomore Davis Knocke is in the class Writing for Stage and Film, and in the showcase, he read the narration of a film script that he wrote while having actors read the lines of the characters.

Knocke says that before the showcase he did not feel nervous to share his script with an audience.

“It’s a low-stakes situation because you’re just surrounded by people that are in some sort of arts,” said Knocke. “You don’t have to worry about people listening and laughing.”

Knocke’s script is a true story about his experiences at the unique traditions of his summer camp.

Knocke says the script is heartwarming and that the story has stressful aspects.

Sophomore Syrus Gupta and freshman Ollie Melgarejo announced the event.

Originally, the playwriting class was supposed to present their scripts first, but there was a mix-up and the show had to be re-ordered.

The mistake ended up leaving less time between the end of the theatre show and the beginning of the improv show that followed the showcase. According to Gupta, it gave them less time to rehearse.

“I felt more loose,” Gupta said. “I didn’t have the kind of jitters [I would have usually].”