Creativity Takes Center Stage in High School Musical
This May, the Grace Theatre Company brought Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman’s satirical musical “Urinetown” to life, mounting five dynamic performances at the 14th Street Y that delighted audiences with humor, energy, and an abundance of talent.
The production was spearheaded by an almost entirely student-led cast and crew, with stage management by Mary H. ’25, Greg M. ’25, and Ramona B. ’26. Faculty members Fay Pacht, Andrew Leonard, and Daryl Embry provided artistic, musical, and technical direction, guiding the students throughout the process. Students in Daryl’s Technical Theatre II class even played a key role in designing, building, and dressing the set.
Students in the Sustainability in the Performing Arts course launched the first-ever Grace Theatre Company Sustainability Mission Statement, and their innovative efforts included creating props from found materials, developing sustainable paint from expired makeup (collected through a donation drive, which they also organized), and crafting eco-friendly dyes for costumes using vegetable scraps and other organic materials.
One of the most memorable aspects of the weekend was the resilience and professionalism displayed by the students, who, when illness prevented several of the castmates from performing, supported one another with remarkable grace. Claire M. ’27 and other ensemble members assumed several roles throughout the weekend. Senior Christina J. took over the leading role of Penelope Pennywise during the production’s final performance with only an hour’s notice, while Sally P. ’26 stepped in as Josephine “Ma” Strong with the same quick turnaround.
Beaming with pride on closing night, Artistic Director Fay Pacht stood before the audience, saying, “Each and every student, onstage and off, has demonstrated a level of professionalism, community, and bravery that’s so inspiring. I couldn’t be more proud of the artists they’ve become!”
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Grace Theatre Company, including the many alumni in the audience!
