---

Vertical Divider

At North Cross, the theatre program engages and inspires students both in the classroom and on stage, offering meaningful opportunities to explore storytelling from third grade through senior year. Whether performing or working behind the scenes, students are actively involved in all aspects of theatre, building skills in acting, production, and collaboration while bringing stories to life through our fall musical, winter play, and spring musical.
Students are introduced to the excitement of performance through the fall junior musical production, where those in grades 3–5 have the opportunity to take the stage. These productions also create a unique, student-centered experience as Middle and Upper School students take on leadership roles as technical crew, stage managers, assistant directors, and choreographers, mentoring younger performers while developing their own skills.

The winter play offers students the opportunity to engage with classic and contemporary works, often drawing from Shakespeare and other notable playwrights. Students not only perform, but also take an active role in building sets, managing technical elements such as lighting and sound, while transforming literature into a live theatrical experience for the entire Roanoke community.

In the spring, Middle and Upper School students collaborate on a full-length, Broadway-style musical. This production challenges students to refine their performance and production skills at a higher level, resulting in a dynamic and polished final performance that highlights their creativity, dedication, and teamwork.
Students in Middle and Upper School may also participate in our International Thespian Society troupe, which recognizes their commitment to theatre and provides additional opportunities for leadership, service, and deeper engagement in the performing arts.
​
Across all productions and experiences, students are not only developing their theatrical abilities, but also confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of collaboration that extends well beyond the stage.

​Thomas Costello
Fine Arts Department Chair, Musical Theatre and Choral Director
​South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University—B.F.A.
Appointed 2022

---

Polly Jones
English Department Chair, Upper School English, Winter Play
Armstrong State University—B.A.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—M.R.E.
Morris Award Winner 2017
​Appointed 2012