Director: Mrs. Donna Goetz

2023-2024 Fall Play: An Evening with Sherlock Holmes
November 3 and 4 at 7:00 p.m., November 5 at 2:00 p.m.

2023-2024 Spring Musical: Cinderella
April 5 and 6 at 7:00 p.m., April 7 at 2:00 p.m.

All Mater Dei students interested in the performing arts are encouraged to participate in the fall play and/or spring musical.  The fall play performance weekend occurs in late October or early November.  The spring musical performance weekend occurs in late March or early April.  Staging a theatrical production requires a variety of both on-stage and off-stage commitment.  Thus, students possess a wide variety of opportunities to participate with the play and the musical.

Students interested in serving in one or more of the roles described below should contact the director for additional specific information.

Performers  As on-stage performers, students will both utilize and further develop their acting ability.  Roles vary in size and number, depending on the selected play or musical.  The musical usually includes a chorus of singers and/or dancers; as a result, students who audition are usually not cut from the musical.  Auditions, which are announced at school, occur six to eight weeks prior to the performance.  Rehearsals take place after school and/or in the evenings.

Musicians (Musical Only)  As members of the pit orchestra, students will both utilize and further develop their musical ability.  Instruments vary in type and number depending on the selected musical.  Rehearsals take place after school and/or in the evenings, usually beginning four to five weeks prior to the performance.

Lighting and Sound Technicians  As members of the tech crew, students will both utilize and further develop theatrical lighting skills and/or theatrical sound skills.  The two weeks prior to a performance are usually reserved as “tech weeks.”

Set Crew  As members of the set crew, students will both utilize and further develop theatrical carpentry skills and/or theatrical painting skills.  The sets range from simple to elaborate, depending on the selected play or musical.  The schedule includes both construction days and painting days.

Stage Manager and/or Student Director  As a stage manager, a student who exhibits exceptional leadership and organizational qualities will possess the opportunity to utilize these skills in order to ensure a smooth-running performance.   Specifically, the stage manager oversees all props, scene changes, and curtain openings/closings.  Occasionally, a director will also select an additional student to serve as a student director.  Both the stage manager and student director are required to attend rehearsals and performances

Stage Crew  As members of the stage crew, students are responsible for scene changes or movement of sets that are required during the performances

Ushers   As ushers, students will not only welcome and provide programs to patrons, but also assist them in finding their seats.  Ushers are required to arrive one hour prior to the performances and remain one hour after the performance to assist with cleaning and preparing the gym for the next performance.

Box Office  As a member of the box office staff, students who possess strong organizational skills sell tickets in the box office for the performances.