GHS Theater Arts Dept Rounds Out a Year of Back-to-Back Productions

By Sara Castillo, GHS Class of 2026

GHS Theater Arts recently put on their annual Play-in-a-Day festival, an event where students put together a complete an original one-act production in about 30 hours.

The performance earned a full audience in the school’s state of the art black box theater.

The event came on the tail end of a successful and memorable year of theater at GHS.

The year kicked off with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an ensemble show with lots of hard work and dedication put in by students, with several learning two or more roles.

Then came the On Stage musical production of Mean Girls, in the black box theater. The production featured many newcomers across four different casts.

This year’s Winter Play was 12 Angry Men, with an ongoing-scene format that provided a new challenge for students.

From there, the annual Magic Circle festival showcased original scenes written by students.

Finally, the spring musical was Grease, performed in the GHS Performing Arts Center in May.

GHS’s Theater Arts program has always been known for its tight-knit community that enhances the experience of its participants. This year’s students have truly embodied that statement, fostering a community stronger and more vibrant than any of them have seen in their years at GHS.

One reason for this change is the efforts of this year’s seniors, notably from those who are student leaders, called Thespian Directors. These students made it their goal to improve the environment of theater and create a positive and inclusive space for younger students.

Senior Belle Nichols said, “Thespian Directors [herself], Anya Audet, Abby Meyers and Oliver Stein, as well as seniors Sara Castillo and Preston Johnson worked very hard to make theater a loving and supportive environment for all, and I think we definitely did that!”

Another reason for the change is the nature of this year’s students themselves. They continue to offer one endless support and praise, and show passion for their craft.

Sophomore Carly Sole said, “One thing about GHS Theater that I find really special is how much people genuinely want to be there. In a lot of extra-curriculars, especially with sports, it’s not uncommon for people to be there because their parents forced them to…or for college, or something like that, but what’s really special about theater is that everybody is there because they are passionate about what they do.”

“You don’t see people going to theater for any other reason, and I think that alone is such a strong foundation for a community…You can have so many different people, but we’re all united by this one thing,” Carly added.

This community development has positively impacted not just the students’ personal connections with each other, but the way they work together as well. Theater Arts teacher and director Richard Kohn has pointed out the group’s efficiency, determination, and collaboration skills, and attributes them to the students’ enjoyment of being together.

“GHS Theater is truly my second home,” said Belle Nichol. “I’m going to miss my GHS Theater family so much next year, and I can’t wait to come home to see their shows!”

“There’s always a group of people I can go talk to, there’s always going to be someone in the hall who I see and can smile at,” Belle added. “It’s a community, and I know that’s what that’s supposed to feel like, but it really does mean more than that, and I genuinely don’t know who I would be without GHS Theater.”

Overall, this has been quite a successful and community-driven year for the GHS Theater Dept, and one that its students and supporters will surely remember for years to come.

The department’s next production will be Romeo and Juliet in October 2026.