Musical theater and drama programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:that's the case in every theater group, even in private ones. My DD does both public HS theater and private theater. Girls are just more into it than boys, and most of the boys in theater are gay. I keep saying, a straight guy looking for a girl should join the theater.

No. Just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the musical theatre/drama at Potomac?

Very good. Agree with previous poster - they offer a concentration in either theater or music, which to my knowledge is very rare.

In addition, they are taking all rising sophomores and rising juniors in the summer of 2026 who are part of the theater program (acting, tech, etc.) to perform a musical at the Fringe Festival in Scotland for 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl or boy? I was just at Norwood’s BTSN last night and the drama teacher was making the point that there are usually about 10 or more girls for every boy who keen to do theatre. I imagine that is magnified at public high school just by sheer numbers?

that's the case in every theater group, even in private ones. My DD does both public HS theater and private theater. Girls are just more into it than boys, and most of the boys in theater are gay. I keep saying, a straight guy looking for a girl should join the theater.

You are a shining example of what a parent shouldn't be.

Exactly. Just in case there was a lack of predatory behavior in a high school group....keep saying that. Gay guys can play football. Straight guys can do theatre and not just to find someone to "date".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell’s high school theater program was the best of all the privates we toured. We went to fall and spring shows at quite a few schools. Tech and stage design is great too, as a bonus plus.

We had a student at Sidwell and I wouldn't agree with this. No shade against Sidwell - the performances were solid - but I wouldn't say they were "the best" of the performances we've seen at other schools. (via our kids that attended other schools, or the many performances seen while in HS admissions process over multiple years, or seeing friends' kids). They were on par with others - so again, this is not a diss. And, I think some outshined Sidwell.

I think one thing to consider is how other requirements might affect ability to do performing arts. Some schools have heavy sports requirements, and while they might allow for a season of theater, they may not be friendly to performing in every one of them during the year. So pay close attention to other after school EC requirements. These vary A LOT across DMV schools (even across Big 3/5/7)

[Anonymous]

Potomac vs Langley for performance art teaching and performance opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac vs Langley for performance art teaching and performance opportunities?

Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree public schools are best bet.

GDS for private.

I disagree that public is a better as a general rule. Ours does 1-2 shows a year, and while the quality is awesome, that's a handful of good roles a year for a school with 1000+ kids – and no guarantee that you get any role at all, especially if you're not a singer. GDS may do twice as many shows for a school that's half the size. (Don't have a kid there, so rough guess based on the website) Point being, if you love theater, you want to actually be able to do it. I wouldn't make a judgement call on which school has the absolute best musical.

Agreed. I know OP asked about MS and HS, but I know that at Norwood at least, every grade does a play. The opportunities are just much more extensive and, with smaller grades than at public school, pretty much every kid who wants to have a role will get one.

This is cohort dependent, of course, but my theater loving kid did not do theater at Norwood due to their classmates being unfriendly/making fun of the theater kids. They do have an excellent theater teacher and I have no complaints about the program itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Previous Poster (Not OP).

I was kind of making the assumption that if OP was hoping for a strong drama/MT program, they would already have a voice coach or some kind of theatre life outside of school and want to continue. I realize that could be kind of "intense" of me and I recall a conversation I had with another mom about my child working with a voice coach to perfect their audition song, and she was like, "Is everyone doing that? It seems like everyone is doing that" and in fact, most people were. Just like strong athletes who go to clinics and camps.

Strong programs do get competitive. My theatre kid is also on the spectrum, and memorizing large blocks of text as well as repeating the same note until it sounds "perfect" = part of their superpower. The warm and welcoming drama clubs (in school and out) were great for them. Some kids love being in the ensemble.

There are also schools that have some casual events, like festivals for the arts and events where you write your own plays.

It may help OP to consider if there are opportunities to take a drama or theatre tech or dance class during the day. Not every school offers those. Those that do are more invested in the arts across the board, I think.

Checking out those instagram pages about "decisions" could work. Are the schools send students to college for MT, drama, or music?

You won't get that detail from every school though; most kids don't say what they plant to study or list a major while also planning to do music/theater, etc.