The Arts

Theatre

The Hill School theatre program offers classroom instruction coupled with co-curricular opportunities in play production to provide a well-rounded theatre experience.

Classes develop skills in acting, oral communication, and public speaking. Students enter the class with diverse levels of experience; therefore, grading must be highly individualized with each student being assessed on his or her individual development in the class.

Productions are open to all Hill School students. Auditions are held at the beginning of each term during the same time as athletics team tryouts. All students are welcome to audition; however, not all students who audition will get cast. Students who have an interest in theatre, but do not wish to perform on stage, may sign up for technical theatre where they will work behind-the-scenes on lighting, set construction, rigging, sound design, costumes, makeup, and special effects. Rehearsals for all productions take place during the afternoon period but may extend to weekends and later evening hours as the production progresses. This is a great opportunity for all students to express their artistic side and try something new!

Performances:

Productions for the 2022-2023 school year include Sweeney Todd (fall); Les Miserables (winter), Shakespeare in Love  (spring).

We perform three shows each school year:

  •  A fall musical in our Black Box Theatre Space or main stage.
     
  •  A winter musical on the main stage 
     
  •   A spring play in our Black Box Theatre Space or main stage.
 

Theatre Courses:

In addition to the theatre productions, students may take theatre-specific courses:

  • Musical Theatre Course (a full-credited, graded course). This course gives the students an opportunity to write, develop, and present their own full original musical.
  •  Acting for TV and Film: Students write, create, and film their own TV series
  •  Theatre Workshop (term course)
  •  Public Speaking (term course)
     

Chris McGriff

Chris McGriff arrived at The Hill in 2018 as the School’s Director of the Center For The Arts. Prior to coming to The Hill, Chris had been a director been a director, assistant director, or production assistant for more than a dozen acclaimed regional theaters, as well as several Broadway and off-Broadway houses. Chris was the creative show director for Dk Production Design since 2009 and the CEO of CMM Productions since 2008. Dk Production Design works with contemporary musical performance artists to develop concepts for sets, lights, costumes, and thematic plots for concert venues across the world, including Radio City Music Hall. CMM Productions provides artist development services such as private acting coaching. Chris has been a teacher and acting coach at several reputable community theaters, a school for special needs children, and a nationwide talent development company in Atlanta. He has directed fine arts ministries and productions for a number of faith-based organizations, and directed educational, touring performances highlighting African American history for the Smithsonian Institute’s Discovery Theater. Chris holds a B.F.A. in theater arts directing from Howard University.

Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor arrived at The Hill in 2021 as the Theatre Administrative Manager & Assistant Technical Theater Director. She is a Drama Merit Scholar recipient and studying for her degree at Montgomery County Community College. Prior to Hill, she worked as Stage Manager with The Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown.

Peter Gorneault

Peter Gorneault arrived at The Hill in 2021 Theatre Technical Director.  He has a B.S. in Lighting and Scenic Design from SUNY Oneonta and a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting and Scenic Design from the University of Georgia.  Prior to Hill, Peter worked for six years as Theater Tech Director and Facility Manager of the Theater program at Stony Brook University in New York.  He has also spent many years working in the NYC theatre industry.