Privates with best elementary school performing arts

[Anonymous]

Looking for insight into what private schools have fantastic performing arts programs during the elementary years (2nd through 5th/6th). I was talking to a current 5th grader at a Big 3 this weekend, and she has her school play coming up. She is in a competitive choir program outside of school and is really into theater. I asked her what role she was playing and (I'm going to change the facts for anonymity) she said she was the equivalent of "Grace #2" in Annie. I asked what she meant and she said that all 60-ish 5th graders are in the play, so each role is played for five to ten minutes by 3-4 different students.

My DD (8) is very into theater, and I'd like to find something better in elementary than a class-wide play like this. I get that most schools will have a performance involving the whole class so that everyone can get exposure to performing arts, but do any schools also have selective and impressive larger performing arts programs (maybe as an after-school extracurricular) during the elementary years?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

And sorry, this question is asking primarily about schools in NWDC and Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Would have to think it's Potomac. The lower school kids always have plays/musicals/concerts and even perform for the entire student body at some assemblies like Thanksgiving and the big Winter holiday one right before break. The performing arts center has its own dedicated building as well. I'm sure others have good options too, though.

[Anonymous]

For 2-4 I think a lot of schools have the “whole class” approach to music and theater. Things get more differentiated in 5th and 6th. You might do best by supplementing with community theater programs and camps - things like Discovery Theatre, Creative Cauldron, or whatever you have near you - until your kid’s school starts having shows with auditions.

[Anonymous]

As a parent with a child in the theater world, I have to say there are important lessons to be learned from whole class performances. First, they won’t always get the starring role but can shine in smaller parts. Also, they should learn how to be part of a cast and support everyone who integral to a production (both onstage and off).

I agree with the other poster, the better experiences and more intense performance opportunities will come from the outside school community theater programs, of which there are many in this area. Look into summer camps.

[Anonymous]

Even a small school with a bare-bones auditorium can have a great drama program. In my experience it varies by teacher and by class interest - we've had years where nearly everyone had the opportunity for solo or duet songs with choreography, but also years where 5 kids shared the same part and the play was pretty dull.

All the kids we know who are really into theater do community theater programs and not just the school play. My kid doesn't, but I appreciate the things she's learned from the school play: confidence, line memorization and delivery, adapting when something goes wrong on stage.

[Anonymous]

Just do an outside of achool theater program and theater summer camp

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is typically a thing at the elementary level. There are performing arts high schools. I agree with PP that whole class performances are an important experience. We could not be happier with the arts program at Norwood--so many opportunities for performance, public speaking, music, and art. Kids get to try it all and decide what to pursue.

[Anonymous]

GDS has a middle school community production - written, acted, and with sets built by students. It's a very time consuming after school activity with auditions, etc. My kids couldn't do it bc of sports commitments, but they are worth looking into if your child wants a more serious taste of theater.

[Anonymous]

Norwood has great programs across the arts. The younger grades have an all-class spring performance. All grades participate in a holiday performance as well. Students have regular music classes too. Additionally, the school has always created public speaking opportunities for kids so that they get used to presenting solo.

[Anonymous]

NPS has good arts - amazing music and the rest are strong too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Norwood has great programs across the arts. The younger grades have an all-class spring performance. All grades participate in a holiday performance as well. Students have regular music classes too. Additionally, the school has always created public speaking opportunities for kids so that they get used to presenting solo.

+1 we were so impressed by the recent Norwood lower school musical performance - around eight songs by the entire grade including choreography, small groups and little solos, and some original music and words written by the music teacher. My DC still walks around singing the songs with joy weeks later.