Arts

Theater Arts

The Shipley Theater Department enriches students’ lives through the art of theatrical and imaginative storytelling. Whether rehearsing for a musical or working behind the scenes as part of the stage crew, students engage in a collaborative, ensemble-driven experience.
Through theater, students develop empathy, discipline, and courage, building confidence and communication skills that extend beyond the stage. Shipley Theater welcomes students of all experience levels, offering a supportive environment where creativity flourishes, and every student has a role to play. These opportunities exist within the curriculum and through co-curricular experiences in each division, ensuring students have multiple pathways to explore and develop their artistic talents.

About Our Program

Theater in the Lower School helps students build confidence. From PreK through Grade 5, students engage in many performance and public speaking opportunities, strengthening their ability to express themselves and overcome stage nerves. Through both classroom activities and stage productions, they develop resilience, empathy, and teamwork, while experiencing the excitement and creativity of storytelling. The annual Lower School musical is an opportunity for fourth- and fifth-grade students to explore acting, singing, and movement while working together to bring a production to life on stage.

The Middle School Theater Program fosters self-expression and ensemble-based collaboration. In drama class, required in sixth grade and optional in seventh and eighth, students engage in drama activities that develop acting skills, stage presence, and vocal confidence. The Middle School Musical provides an opportunity for students to participate in an engaging and fun performance, with auditions reimagined as ensemble-building workshops to reduce anxiety and foster creativity.

The Upper School Theater Program offers students opportunities to deepen their understanding of acting, technical theatre, and public speaking in a variety of course electives. Three major productions per year allow students to engage in a range of theatrical styles and roles, while elective courses provide in-depth training in performance, stage management, and design. Whether onstage, backstage, or in a leadership role, students gain valuable experience that fosters creativity, discipline, and teamwork.

List of 3 items.

  • Lower School

    • Lower School Musical – Fourth- and Fifth-graders can participate in this ensemble-based performance that fosters collaboration and creativity.
    • Classroom Drama Activities – Integrated into the curriculum to develop confidence and public speaking skills from PreK through Grade 5.

  • Middle School

    Performance Opportunities:
    • Middle School Musical – A full-stage production with an innovative, stress-free audition process
    Courses:
    • Grade 6 Drama Requirement
    • Grades 7 & 8 Drama Elective
      Designed to build confidence, vocal projection, and stage presence.

  • Upper School

    Performance Opportunities:
    • Fall Plays – A collection of contemporary scenes and student-written works.
    • Winter Musical – A large-scale production featuring professional-level performance and technical experiences.
    • Spring Shakespeare – A full-length adaptation of a Shakespearean play.
    Theater Courses:
    • Studio Theater I, II, III – Progressive acting courses covering voice control, movement, and audition preparation.
    • Public Speaking – Focused on speech delivery, diction, and effective communication.
    • Introduction to Technical Theater – Hands-on experience in lighting, sound, and set design.
    • Debate – A course in persuasive argument and public discourse.

Meet the Team

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Phillip Brown

    Phillip Brown 

    Upper School Theater Director
    Phone/Extension: 4267
  • Photo of Chelsea Clark

    Chelsea Clark 

    Theater Producer
    Phone/Extension: 4681
  • Photo of Arvelle Jones

    Arvelle Jones 

    Middle School Theater Director, Middle School Drama Teacher

Arts News

814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Phone: 610-525-4300
Fax: 610-525-5082
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.