Theatre

Meet the Faculty

Performances

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Classes Offered

Musical Archive

Meet our theatre faculty!

Sarah Wright
Director of Theatre; Drama

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Sarah Wright
Director of Theatre; Drama | St. John Paul II | Theatre Department, Improv Club

Sarah Wright is thrilled to be teaching at her alma mater. She has worked in the professional and educational world of theater/film for the past 10 years in Kansas City and Savannah, GA. When not directing and teaching at the Academy, she directs for First Act Theater Arts, acts in the KC area, and hosts a podcast with her husband called The PlayWrights. Sarah resides in Shawnee with her wonderful husband, Will, and her two kittens, Harvey & Sawyer.

"Humanity in every age, and even today, looks to works of art to shed light upon its path and its destiny." - Pope Saint John Paul II

Education

Benedictine College; Bachelors Theatre Arts and Journalism & Mass Communications

Savannah College of Art and Design; Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Performing Arts

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Will Wright
Social Studies Teacher, Technical Theatre Director

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Will Wright
Social Studies Teacher, Technical Theatre Director

Married to Sarah Wright (SJA Theatre DIrector)

Education

Benedictine College; Social Studies & Secondary Education

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Upcoming Theatre Performances

One Acts

February 29 – March 2, 2024

    Fall musical 2023 – All Shook Up

    Auditions for our fall musical, All Shook Up, are happening May 9 & 10! All incoming freshmen, transfers and current students are invited to audition. Email Mrs. Wright at with any questions! See you there!

      join us!

      Find a performance!

      VIEW fine & performing arts PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

      Classes offered

      Drama classes

      Drama I

      Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

      Drama I introduces the student to various aspects of the theatre with a primary focus on acting. Improvisation, pantomime, scene study and theatre terminology and theatre history are integral parts of the program. Students will be encouraged to explore their own creative potential in a supportive, yet challenging learning environment.

      Drama II

      Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

      Drama II is an advanced course designed for students who wish to continue their study of acting. Character development, scene study, audition technique, and directing will be integral elements of the course.

      Repertory Theatre

      Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

      This class is for the serious theatre student interested in getting time on the stage. The class will collaborate on writing or finding a suitable show for the students in the class, audition for their role in the show and rehearse the play in class. Audition and advanced acting techniques will be taught and utilized. **This course will be offered every other year. The next offering is 2022-2023.

      General music theory & musical history CLASSES

        Intro to Music

        Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

        Intro to Music is an introductory class that provides students with a chance to learn the basics of music through performance. Students will learn how to read music as well as develop the basic skills required to perform on a variety of instruments. Aspects of music theory and history will also be covered through applied learning projects. No previous musical experience is necessary. On completion of the class, students may progress and continue their studies in either vocal or instrumental music ensembles for the following year.

        Music Technology

        Grades: 11, 12

        This class is focused on the creation of music and media using technology. Arranging and editing musical projects and evaluating the merit of musical content are also covered. Students will learn computer-based techniques for creating, recording, and producing projects on GarageBand, Sibelius, Finale, Photoshop, and iMovie. Class members will also be taught about the history of music in film and how to create multi-media presentations. This class fulfills a Fine/Performing Arts or Technology credit requirement.

        Music Theory & History

        Grades: 10, 11, 12

        Music Theory and History is a non-performance course open to those students with an interest in learning the basic rudiments, structures, and elements of music. The history curriculum covers both musical and historical developments from the early Catholic Church through to present day. Topics covered include Gregorian Chant, Music at Notre Dame, the Baroque and Classical eras, the Nineteenth Century (Nationalistic Music, Tchaikovsky’s Ballet music, and traditions in German and Italian Opera), Jazz and Blues, Serialism and American Musical Theatre.

        Stagecraft

        Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

        Students learn the purpose of theatre, how to read a script, and the basics of 4 design elements of theatre: set design, sound design, lighting design, and costume design. They will learn tool safety and usage, painting techniques, and construction techniques, as well as how to draft and read draftings of designs. Painting and set construction/installation of sets will be part of class time and a small number of hours will be required outside of class time. This course can be taken multiple times. This class size is limited to 15.

        Classes offered

        Drama classes

          DRAMA I

          Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

          Drama I introduces the student to various aspects of the theatre with the primary focus on acting. Improvisation, pantomime, scene study and theatre terminology and theatre history are integral parts of the program. Students will be encouraged to explore their own creative potential in a supportive, yet challenging learning environment.

            DRAMA II

            Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

            Drama II is an advanced course designed for students who wish to continue their study of acting. Character development, scene study, audition technique, and directing will be integral elements of the course.

              Repertory Theatre

              Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

              This class is for the serious theatre student interested in getting time on the stage. The class will collaborate on writing or finding a suitable show for the students in the class, audition for their role in the show and rehearse the play in class. Audition and advanced acting techniques will be taught and utilized. **This course will be offered every other year. The next offering is 2022-2023.

                General music theory & musical history CLASSES

                  intro to music

                  Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

                  Intro to Music is an introductory class that provides students with a chance to learn the basics of music through performance. Students will learn how to read music as well as develop the basic skills required to perform on a variety of instruments. Aspects of music theory and history will also be covered through applied learning projects. No previous musical experience is necessary. On completion of the class, students may progress and continue their studies in either vocal or instrumental music ensembles for the following year.

                    MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

                    Grades: 11, 12

                    This class is focused on the creation of music and media using technology. Arranging and editing musical projects and evaluating the merit of musical content are also covered. Students will learn computer-based techniques for creating, recording, and producing projects on GarageBand, Sibelius, Finale, Photoshop, and iMovie. Class members will also be taught about the history of music in film and how to create multi-media presentations. This class fulfills a Fine/Performing Arts or Technology credit requirement.

                    MUSIC THEORY & HISTORY

                    Grades: 10, 11, 12

                    Music Theory and History is a non-performance course open to those students with an interest in learning the basic rudiments, structures, and elements of music. The history curriculum covers both musical and historical developments from the early Catholic Church through to present day. Topics covered include Gregorian Chant, Music at Notre Dame, the Baroque and Classical eras, the Nineteenth Century (Nationalistic Music, Tchaikovsky’s Ballet music, and traditions in German and Italian Opera), Jazz and Blues, Serialism and American Musical Theatre.

                    STAGECRAFT

                    Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

                    Students learn the purpose of theatre, how to read a script, and the basics of 4 design elements of theatre: set design, sound design, lighting design, and costume design. They will learn tool safety and usage, painting techniques, and construction techniques, as well as how to draft and read draftings of designs. Painting and set construction/installation of sets will be part of class time and a small number of hours will be required outside of class time. This course can be taken multiple times. This class size is limited to 15.