MCPS High schools with the top theatre programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

I missing the point you're trying to make. From my experience, not every student in that program relies on outside lessons. Many students develop their skills directly through Einstein’s VAPA classes. Either way, that point doesn’t change the broader picture—Einstein has a long history of doing outstanding theater productions. It’s not the only MCPS school with students taking outside classes. Einstein has consistently been known for the strength of its arts programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is some weird misinformation on here, but these are the best MCPS high schools for theater:

Blake
Einstein

Blake used canned music instead of a live pit orchestra. Even Sherwood uses a real pit!

They may not have a teacher or enough students willing or able to do pitt. It is also a huge time commitment for students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

I missing the point you're trying to make. From my experience, not every student in that program relies on outside lessons. Many students develop their skills directly through Einstein’s VAPA classes. Either way, that point doesn’t change the broader picture—Einstein has a long history of doing outstanding theater productions. It’s not the only MCPS school with students taking outside classes. Einstein has consistently been known for the strength of its arts programs.

The students they are referring to that are award-winning are in outside programs and lessons. They may not be sharing it with you but they are and you'd know if your kids were in those same programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

I missing the point you're trying to make. From my experience, not every student in that program relies on outside lessons. Many students develop their skills directly through Einstein’s VAPA classes. Either way, that point doesn’t change the broader picture—Einstein has a long history of doing outstanding theater productions. It’s not the only MCPS school with students taking outside classes. Einstein has consistently been known for the strength of its arts programs.

The students they are referring to that are award-winning are in outside programs and lessons. They may not be sharing it with you but they are and you'd know if your kids were in those same programs.

Einstein parent here and I’m not sure what current students are award winning. I can guess at one who graduated last year. I don’t imagine that outside classes are widespread among this current crop of kids, but I also can’t imagine why that matters? Einstein has a great program and great teachers. If some kids do extracurricular theater along with Einstein STAGE why on earth would that matter? It doesn’t negate that it’s a great program.

[Anonymous]

I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

Stop slamming other schools. Where are the awards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

You don't and there is no need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

Stop slamming other schools. Where are the awards?

No one is slamming other schools but there’s needs to be honesty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

I’m actually an Einstein parent with a kid involved in STAGE. I love Einstein but I’m not posting with a bias because I have no idea what the other schools’ shows are like. Einstein is very good but I also think the kids are pretty chill and not focused on this as a competition with other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

I’m actually an Einstein parent with a kid involved in STAGE. I love Einstein but I’m not posting with a bias because I have no idea what the other schools’ shows are like. Einstein is very good but I also think the kids are pretty chill and not focused on this as a competition with other schools.

This is a good description, and the new theater teacher is putting a lot of effort into things and is really supportive of all the arts and students. Some of the kids are involved without side theater groups and lessons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

I’m actually an Einstein parent with a kid involved in STAGE. I love Einstein but I’m not posting with a bias because I have no idea what the other schools’ shows are like. Einstein is very good but I also think the kids are pretty chill and not focused on this as a competition with other schools.

This is a good description, and the new theater teacher is putting a lot of effort into things and is really supportive of all the arts and students. Some of the kids are involved without side theater groups and lessons.

involved with - autocorrect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

What are the outside programs people are involved in? Asking because we don't live in the Einstein or Blake zone and my kid likes theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

What are the outside programs people are involved in? Asking because we don't live in the Einstein or Blake zone and my kid likes theater.

I think YAA is the best. https://www.youngartistsamerica.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also baffled at how we even compare the programs. So many schools have their musicals the same weekends, so we’re too busy to see the other shows.

Awards circuits? Critic reviews? festivals? Einstein parents aren’t being biased. Their program is indeed the best performing out of all MCPS theater programs. I’m not sure why I’m seeing random schools like Northwood, Blair, and Sherwood. A lot of misinformation.

I’m actually an Einstein parent with a kid involved in STAGE. I love Einstein but I’m not posting with a bias because I have no idea what the other schools’ shows are like. Einstein is very good but I also think the kids are pretty chill and not focused on this as a competition with other schools.

Honestly, I think a lot of the snarky, competitive stuff you see on this thread (and a few other older ones) is all in the heads of a couple of parents. The kids are mostly focused on hanging with their friends and learning the craft.


Even my former Einstein theater kid, who was involved with the Cappies student review and awards program, didn’t mention this kind of competitiveness. They wanted their friends and their program to do well, but they also really enjoyed seeing what the other schools were doing.

If nothing else, their Cappies experience made it very apparent the difference resources make to a theater program. In particular, some of the Virginia schools they visited had crazy levels of parent involvement and school system support.

My kid actually ended up even more proud of Einstein’s program, after seeing how student-centric and grassroots it was compared to some of the others. Not that they wouldn’t have appreciated a fully-functioning sound system…


(For those who don’t know about Cappies: https://www.cappiesnca.com/about-us. But it’s pretty Virginia-centric, so the awards aren’t at all representative of the quality of MCPS theater.

Proportionally, not that many MCPS high schools participate, because there are a lot of very specific requirements, and you must have a core group of critics willing to commit to travel all over the area to review plays on the weekends.)