Marksmen in the Theater

At St. Mark’s, education is not confined to the classroom. It happens on the Quad, on the field, and sometimes, under a spotlight.

Every day, Marksmen balance demanding coursework with athletics, fine arts, clubs, and commitments that extend beyond 10600 Preston Road. This year, many have embraced that challenge, starring in school musicals and in a major outside production, all while keeping pace with the rigor of school life. In the process, they are learning lessons about balance, responsibility, and pursuing their interests.

 

Boys are introduced to the excitement of musical theater at St. Mark’s in Lower School. The fourth graders recently experienced memorizing lines, rehearsing, and putting on a show for their Shakespeare performances. Throughout this process, boys learn that their individual preparation contributes to something bigger than themselves – that each voice matters, and each effort strengthens the whole. As Kineta Massey, Lower School theater instructor, explained: “It’s a lot of hard work, but each boy begins to understand they have a role in helping move their entire class forward on projects like this. The aim is to build self-confidence, creativity, collaboration, and public speaking skills, which will benefit them greatly as they mature.” These skills are carried throughout each boy’s journey at St. Mark’s.

 

Three Middle School students recently took their passion for musical theater off campus, performing in the Dallas Opera’s production of The Little Prince, with Ayden Yang ’30 in the starring role. Faculty, staff, and students filled the audience in support, celebrating a moment that brought the School’s mission to life. “Seeing our St. Mark’s choristers in the Dallas Opera production of The Little Prince was a proud moment for all of us – not just because of their brilliant performance with a major opera company, but because it reflects what they practice at school every day,” said Glenn Stroh, organist and choirmaster. There is great impact in students seeing their peers in this type of environment. As Stroh noted, “Their example inspires other students to pursue their interests, set ambitious goals, and support each other along the way. That is the essence of the St. Mark’s experience.”

 

In Upper School, during the recent performances of Sweeney Todd, boys with lead roles, small roles, and everything in between navigated demanding rehearsal schedules and late nights while keeping up with their academic and social responsibilities.

 

Katy Tye, Middle and Upper School drama instructor, described how preparing for a performance becomes a mentorship across grade levels. “It truly takes everyone to make a show great; as I tell them, ‘A show is only as good as the weakest actor on stage.’ I see older boys or those that have prior experience really step up and help those that are new to performing. Seeing them take that leadership in making the show a success and mentoring others is so rewarding for me.”

 

For the actor who played Sweeney himself, the preparation began long before opening night. “Kerry Washington describes live theater as a sport and says that she has to train herself like an athlete,” Luke Cathey ’27 said. For leads and ensembles alike, rehearsals averaged ten hours a week and totaled more than 25 hours in the final stretch. However, much of the work happened quietly at home. Cast members spend hours studying their characters. For Luke, preparation meant studying multiple portrayals of Sweeney, watching films featuring villains to better understand the character’s psychology, and creating a playlist to stay immersed in the show’s music. “But something I took away from the show is that the best performances aren’t planned,” Luke said. When you can experience all the different circumstances on stage, the audience gets to experience that with you and really connect to the text.”

 

Beyond preparing for the show itself, a production like this requires students to exercise discipline across other areas of their lives. “Doing a show shows the holes in your work ethic,” Luke said. “Lack of attention to either the show or schoolwork will cause you to fall behind.” Communication becomes essential. Teachers and coaches are notified well in advance of rehearsals and performances, and careful planning allows students to remain fully engaged in both the classroom and the theater. The experience sharpens study habits and forces boys to confront distractions head-on.

 

Theater is just one of the many avenues a boy can explore and is a great example of what it means to be a multifaceted Marksman. Through memorizing lines, refining performances, and collaborating toward a shared goal, boys develop discipline that helps build the communication, creativity, confidence, and time management skills necessary to thrive in the world after they leave St. Mark’s.