One of the new programs to flourish during Tim Lightman’s 12-year tenure as Head of Lower School has been the annual Lower School musical. Each year, excitement buzzes through the hallways as students await the announcement of the next production. Past titles include Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, and Frozen, which was performed last fall.

Participation in the musical has become a rite of passage with nearly 80% of fourth and fifth graders dedicating their afternoons for months to rehearse, prepare, and perform. For Lightman, the true purpose of the musical is about growth. “I love to see the students building confidence,” he shared. “The musical pushes them out of their comfort zone.”

Through their roles on stage or behind the scenes, students learn the mechanics of production, the value of hard work, and the importance of mutual support. “They work together as an ensemble,” Lightman explained. “No one succeeds unless everyone succeeds.”

As he concludes his time at Shipley, the Lower School musical stands as a testament to Lightman’s deep belief in the power of the arts to nurture student voice and character. “There’s something truly unique about the Lower School musical,” he reflected. “The sense of accomplishment, the joy of just being on stage and performing—there’s so much value in those experiences for our students.”