Patrick Forrester ‘27

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The theater programs at Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes are a staple of the community, showcasing the schools’ flourishing arts. Last year’s standout spring musical Aida was extremely successful, and the fall plays this year continued the momentum. In October, Strake Jesuit’s department performed Play On! under the direction of Mr. Sullivan, while the St. Agnes department performed A Murder Is Announced under the direction of Ms. Handy. 

The Jesuit production, Play On!, is a play-within-a-play comedy about a group of actors attempting to put on a hilariously bad show while the writer constantly changes the script. St. Agnes’ production, A Murder Is Announced, is a classic murder mystery adapted from the Agatha Christie novel.

Theatre provides a great community and an opportunity for people to express themselves. Connor Clinton ‘27, a performer in Play On!, said, “Theatre gives people a chance to be someone they usually wouldn’t be as part of a fantastic community.”

 Ms. Handy,  the director of A Murder Is Announced, expressed excitement for the show, highlighting the amazing cast and what led her to put on St. Agnes’ first murder mystery, saying, “With Mr. Bonner and this cast, I figured it was time.” Mr. Bonner is the technical director for theater at St. Agnes, and he and his crew’s managing of sound, set, costumes, and lights were essential to the production.

With the fall plays in the books, attention now shifts to the spring shows. St. Agnes has already begun rehearsals for the spring musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, while Strake Jesuit will soon begin production on its spring play, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.