Meet our theatre faculty!
Sarah Wright
Director of Theatre; Drama & Sophomore Seminar Teacher
Sarah Wright
Director of Theatre; Drama & Sophomore Seminar Teacher | 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
Upcoming Theatre Performances
Spring One Acts
May 4-6, 2023
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.
