Arts
Theater Arts
Shipley’s theater program involves coursework as well as extracurricular rehearsals and performances.
The Lower School and Middle School theater programs focus on improvisation, script writing, and creativity. Opportunities abound for both informal and formal performances.
All Sixth Grade students take a theater course and put on a production that showcases the skills learned. Seventh and Eighth Graders have the option of choosing Theater as their Performing Arts course. In addition, they may audition for the Middle School Musical each spring.
Upper School classes perform theater exercises based on dramatic texts taken primarily from American contemporary theater. The level of sophistication increases by grade level as students learn general theater history and work with plays ranging from Greek tragedy to existential theater.
Theater at Shipley
Performance opportunities in Upper School include:
- one-act plays
- an auditioned spring musical
- informal performances at assemblies
- Shakespeare or other classical productions
- Newly renovated Riely Theatre includes state of the art lighting, sound, and scenic materials. Students also have the opportunity to learn technical theater and production skills
- A new “grey box” (flexible “black box”) space in the Shipley Commons
- Theater classrooms, dressing rooms, and offices beneath Riely Theatre
List of 9 news stories.
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A Legacy of Art: The West Collection at Shipley
For over 20 years, Shipley’s partnership with alumna Paige West ’86 and the West Collection has brought world-class contemporary art to the Speer Gallery, inspiring students to think boldly and engage with real-world ideas.Read More -
More than Art on the Walls: Shipley's Speer Gallery
Shipley’s Speer Gallery, led by art teacher Julia Staples, is a vibrant hub for learning and connection, showcasing thought-provoking exhibits that spark conversation and inspire collaboration across subjects like History, Science, and English.Read More -
Spotlight on the Honors Jazz Combo
The Upper School Honors Jazz Combo, directed by saxophonist Chris Oatts, is Shipley's premier music ensemble and reflects Shipley's dedication to excellence in the arts. The group continually impresses audiences and serves as a pinnacle experience in Shipley's musical learning community.Read More -
Cultivating Confidence, Leadership, and Student Voice in Shipley's Theater Program
Discover how our theater program nurtures student voice, confidence, and leadership. From sixth grade silliness to Upper School self-awareness, our students learn to express themselves with empathy and creativity, embodying our mission of compassionate participation.Read More -
Nurturing Young Musicians: Finding Your Musical Voice at Shipley
Discover how Shipley School's music program nurtures young musicians from Lower to Upper School, fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Learn how students find their musical voice and achieve professional-level performance through this comprehensive education.Read More -
Peter Makela ’04: 2024 Alumni Artist Exhibition
"Sky Paintings" by Shipley alum Peter Makela ’04 is on display in Shipley's Speer Gallery from April 9 to May 5, 2024.Read More
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Ozzie Jones Receives Barrymore Award Nomination for Outstanding Outdoor Production
Ozzie Jones earned a Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Outdoor Production, showcasing his transformative journey and key role in Theater in the X's acclaimed "Dreamgirls."Read More -
Phillip Brown Nominated for Barrymore Award - Outstanding Lead Performance
Read MorePhillip Brown, Upper School Theater Director at Shipley, considers his portrayal of Jay Jackson in Lantern Theater Company's "The Royale" to be the role of a lifetime.The play was nominated for seven Barrymore Awards, including Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, with Phillip himself nominated for Outstanding Leading Performance in a Play. -
Contour Line Drawing: A Lesson in Concentration and Creativity
Read MoreContour line drawing is more than a classroom exercise, it demands unwavering concentration, forging connections between the artist and their subject, creating a unique interplay between the pen and paper. A poignant reminder that art isn't merely about what we see; it's about how we see it and the stories we can convey through the lines we draw.
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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.
