Drama
| Drama has been an essential thread in the tapestry of Tandem Friends life. The drama program addresses the needs of both our Upper School and Middle School students. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for all students to explore their own self-expression, to develop theater skills, and to be dazzled by the magic of the stage. Students, faculty, and the local community celebrate the art of the theater by attending our plays, being a lively, playful audience, applauding loudly, and by being moved and inspired by our cast and crew. Local theatre artists (choreographers, designers, musicians, vocal coaches) are often brought in to enhance the drama production experience. Middle School students take drama for one semester each year. In the 5th grade, classes culminate in a unique production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. 6th and 8th graders put on a musical at the end of their semester-long class. 7th graders create a class-written production called Cafe 007, with English, Art and Drama departments collaborating to put together a themed show that combines unique skits and poetry, music, dance, and films created by the students. 7th and 8th grade students also create films as part of the Drama curriculum, with 8th graders submitting films to the International Quaker Bridge Film Festival. See slide shows of recent productions. |
Middle School performances in the past two academic years have included:
- Grease (School Version)
- The Music Man Jr.
- Willy Wonka Jr.
- Seussical Jr.
- A Midsummer’s Night Dream in Egypt
- Café 007 - Home is where the Art Is
- A Midsummer’s Night Dream in Vaudeville
- Café 007 - Comedy, Community, Compassion
Upper School drama consists of various semester-long drama electives such as improvisation or acting. Upper School students audition for drama productions, which are offered as extracurricular activities. Rehearsals take place after school. In a typical year, the Upper School puts on a fall musical, a series of one act plays in the winter, and a comedic or dramatic play in the spring.
Upper School performances in the past three academic years have included:
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Southern Hospitality
- RENT Student Edition
- Urinetown
- The Real Inspector Hound
- Twelve Angry People
- Les Miserables (School Edition)
- One-Act Play Festivals - a series of one act plays, each with a different director, performed annually
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