Theatre
The Hill School Theatre Program combines classroom instruction with dynamic co-curricular opportunities in theatre production, offering students a well-rounded and rewarding theatre experience both on and off the stage.
In the classroom, students develop skills in acting, musical theatre performance, oral communication, and public speaking. Because students join the program with varying levels of experience, instruction is highly individualized, allowing each student to grow and succeed at their own pace.
Beyond the classroom, Hill theatre productions are open to all students and serve as the centerpiece of our program. Auditions are held at the start of each term.
Rehearsals take place during the afternoon activity period and often grow into evening and weekend commitments as opening night draws near. Students have the unique opportunity to work directly with professional theatre directors, music directors, and choreographers, who bring a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge to the rehearsal process. Their mentorship not only sharpens performance skills but also fosters collaboration, discipline, and artistry at a pre-professional level.
Guest Artist Program
Adding to this experience is our Guest Artist Program, which occasionally invites professional actors, designers, choreographers and directors, to join our productions. These artists serve as role models and teachers, allowing students to learn by observing and working alongside seasoned theatre professionals. The result is a vibrant, professional-level environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.
Technical Theatre Program
For those who prefer to contribute behind the scenes, our robust Technical Theatre Program provides hands-on experiences in scenic construction and painting, lighting and sound design, rigging, costumes, makeup, and special effects. Students not only gain practical skills but also the excitement of seeing their creativity transform the stage. These opportunities allow students to explore the artistry and technical precision that bring a production to life.
Whether a student is on stage in a lead role, programming light cues, sewing costumes, or collaborating with a guest artist, Hill Theatre offers an extraordinary opportunity to express creativity, develop new skills, and become part of a collaborative community that celebrates the joy of live performance. Come join us!
Performances:
We perform three shows each school year on our main stage in the Center For The Arts theatre. Productions for the 2025-26 school year include: Little Women (Fall) and Legally Blonde (Winter). The spring production will be announced at a later date.
Theatre Courses:
In addition to the theatre productions, students may take theatre-specific courses. View descriptions here.
- Musical Theatre and Performance: This is a project-based, yearlong course that invites students to explore the dynamic intersection of practical performance, historical evolution, creative process, and social impact within the captivating world of theatre. This comprehensive journey begins with the development of foundational skills in singing, dancing, and acting, providing students with hands-on experience in the art of musical performance.
- Acting for TV and Film (Beginner and Advanced): Focusing heavily on the difference between acting techniques utilized for film and television versus the techniques used in live theater; this yearlong course aims to instill, strengthen, and qualify the skills needed to properly convey a successful film-level performance.
- Public Speaking (term course)
- Speech and Debate (term course)
Kat Ross Kline | Director of the Ellis Theatre Guild
Kat Ross Kline joined The Hill School Theatre Department in the fall of 2023. She serves as an instructor of the performing arts and Director of the Ellis Theatre Guild. Kat has been a professional theatre practitioner in the tri-state area for more than 20 years serving as a director, choreographer, actor, designer, and educator. Recent directorial credits include the 10th Anniversary Reunion concert of A Tale of Two Cities on Broadway in NYC; guest director for Billy Elliot and A Christmas Story at The BTOP; and a reimagined 33 Variations (in support of the ALS Hope foundation), which toured multiple theaters including The Kelsey Theatre, where Kat serves as a Theatre Advisory board member for Mercer County Community College.
A Philadelphia-area native, Kat is honored to work in close conjunction both with the Philadelphia International Girls Choir as a resident acting coach and creative director for their biannual music videos, and has served as a guest choreographer for ABC's Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade - a nationally televised family tradition. She is the full-time director/choreographer for The Sharpe Family singers, a Broadway touring concert and a worldwide social media phenomenon, that most recently was seen on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Academically, Kat is committed to a visionary mission: the "redesigning and redirection of classical theatre that may be deemed outdated, all while upholding its artistic integrity.”
Kat's dedication lies in making these timeless works not only culturally relevant, but also view-friendly for today's discerning audiences. Through insightful research and creative innovations, she aspires to "breathe new life into the classics and spark meaningful discussions about the evolving landscapes of the performing arts." Kat received her master’s degree in Theatre from Villanova University, her dance education at both Broadway Dance Center and STEPS in New York City, and is proud member of SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Overall, Kat is excited to inspire and teach the next generation of talented actors and stage enthusiasts, and is dedicated to fostering creativity and nurturing young talent to bring a new era of excellence to The Hill School Theatre Department.
Bobby Goodrich
Bobby Goodrich arrived at The Hill School in the fall of 2019 as a production designer, overseeing all of the costume, wig, makeup, and scenic and properties designs for the Ellis Theatre Guild. They now serve as the Theatre Production Marketing and Designer. A native of Philadelphia, they studied Theatre at Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Theatre Design and Musical Theatre. While at Clarion, Bobby was the resident costume designer for two seasons of the Summer Musical Theatre Workshop. Following their time at Clarion, they apprenticed at the Walnut St. Theatre in Philadelphia, where they worked in costumes, wardrobe, and makeup. In 2015, Bobby made their off Broadway debut as "Divine" in the world premier of DIVINE/INTERVENTION to rave reviews. Bobby continues to work throughout the tri-state area as a cabaret artist, actor, and designer.
Peter Gorneault
Peter Gorneault has been with The Hill as the Technical Theatre Director since the fall of 2021. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting and Scenic Design from the University of Georgia, and a B.S. from SUNY Oneonta in Technical Theatre. Prior to Hill, Peter worked five years as a Live Events designer for Bentley Meeker Lighting and Staging in Manhattan, where he produced more than 125 live shows annually, three years as the in-house Production and Facilities Manager for the Mark Morris Dance Group, and six years as the Technical Director for the Wang Center at Stony Brook University. Peter’s passion has always been educational theatre. He is proud to be a member of The Hill community and excited to help develop the theatrical program at The Hill.
Kristen VonWachenfeldt
Kristen VonWachenfeldt joined The Hill School in 2024 as the Theatre Production Manager. She received her B.F.A. in Music Theatre from Elon University and began her professional acting career as a performer on Disney Cruise Lines, followed by regional productions in NYC and Washington, D.C. She then relocated to the NJ/PA area, where her favorite roles included Maria in The Sound of Music, Laurey in Oklahoma, and Emma in Jekyll & Hyde, as well as originating the role of Maria Montessori on the cast recording of Born to Learn: The Montessori Story. In addition to her theatre training and experience, Kristen brings a background in event management, independent school administration, and community engagement, and she has been living the boarding school life with her family since 2014. She is passionate about creating meaningful and seamless experiences that bring people together, especially through the art of theatre, and she adores working with Hill students!