Out of school, onto the stage

Local Theater Round House Theatre

Photo: Round House Theatre Education Center's drop-off space in Downtown Silver Spring

Round House Theatre Education Center's drop-off space in Downtown Silver Spring Photo courtesy of Petey de Brauw.

“He’s just a brat. He fumbles the assassins’ plans and then screams over not getting money for ice cream.” This is how junior Janaki Katz describes a character they played in a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins at Four Corners’ community theater: Silver Spring Stage. Katz joined the production through their role in Blair’s 2024 musical Oliver!, but many students find opportunities to participate in theater independently from Blair’s program. In fact, the Silver Spring area is home to a host of programs to foster grade schoolers’ theatrical talents, many of which feature Blair’s very own students. 

Lumina Studio Theatre

One of these programs is Silver Spring’s Lumina Studio Theatre, which offers a variety of programs to students of all ages, with different programs for different age groups. The first level, the Players group, hosts ages 8-10. Moving up, children go to the 11+ Classics and 13+ Guild groups. All three of these groups perform in one show together, with older kids generally playing bigger roles. 

Blair senior Sophie Pranio has been involved with Silver Spring’s Lumina Studio Theatre student programs for eight years, starting in the children’s Players group and moving up to the final level, the 16+ Ensemble group. As an Ensemble member, Pranio has worked as a student director with younger programs and is able to perform in an additional show exclusive to the highest level.

Pranio describes the value of working with kids of all ages, both from the perspective of an inexperienced young actor and a student leader in the program. “[Younger groups] are where you're learning how to become a really great actor," Pranio says."As you move up in the ranks you start to become the older kids, people are looking up to you, then you become directors, [and] then you are that role model. That feels kinda scary, [but] it's also kinda nice.”

One benefit, as Pranio explains, to starting the program so young is being able to foster deep connections with other students in the program. “I've had times where I've been having a bad day about something that's not even theater related, and I can go to my directors, I can go to people who I've literally grown up with… and it’s such a wonderful community that can support me the whole time.” 

Teen Performance Company

Another such program is the Round House Theatre’s Teen Performance Company (TPC). According to their website, TPC is a pre-professional program designed to expose high schoolers to every step of the production process by developing a full production with guidance from Round House’s professional performers, directors, designers, and production managers. Student members of TPC direct, perform in, and even design the set, costumes, lights, etc. of the entire production. 

Sophomore Lark Jeffers, student director of TPC’s current show, Gallows Humor by teen playwright Fin Davis, describes how TPC’s program is different from student productions in the area. “TPC is really unique in that it doesn't feel like student theater. It is a real show, we have a real budget, real everything… it's a really incredible opportunity.” 

To ensure all TPC members are comfortable and able to perform in their roles, whether as actors or stage crew, adult mentors teach classes about theater, and provide support as needed. Jeffers describes how their mentors were able to ease their anxiety about directing. “[The mentors] have been really welcoming to everyone, and myself in particular, because I was really nervous going to direct this year. Round House made sure that I had a team of mentors behind me that I could turn to.”

A reasonable concern with adults being so closely involved in the production process is having more experienced adults impose their ideas for the show onto the students and stifling their creative visions. However, this hasn’t been the case. Junior Ana Ewachiw, one of the set designers for the show, explains that mentors give guidance while still allowing students to fulfill a creative vision, “You're not just thrown into something that you don't know anything about, [but] you're also given a lot of freedom. So although there are mentors there, you're also able to express yourself.”

Sophomore Brighida Abella Reynolds, an assistant stage manager, expresses her love for the program. “I look forward to it every other day since rehearsals are picking up more now. And I enjoy getting to do master classes and learning new things,” she explains. “I really enjoy learning what it is to be a stage manager since I've never done that before.”

Not to say being a part of TPC is easy by any means, Jeffers describes how they’ve needed to learn leadership skills being both in charge of the production and one of the youngest members in the room. “As a director, it has been a lot of cultivating the leadership skills, because this year, just by luck of the draw, there are no freshmen. It's only sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and I am a sophomore myself. So being one of the youngest people in the room and having everyone want to hear your opinion or want your attention is very scary,” Jeffers says.

TPC’s current show, Gallows Humor, runs at Round House Theatre from Feb. 28 - Mar. 2. If you’re interested in attending, tickets are available on Round House’s website. 

Silver Spring Stage

Alongside programs tailored for teenage performers, some professional community productions include roles for children or teenagers, like Woodmoor’s very own Silver Spring Stage. A bowling alley-turned-community theater tucked away under Four Corners, Silver Spring Stage offers a mix of experimental plays and old classics featuring local performers. Their run of Assassins last summer included Katz in the cast, playing all the show’s child roles. 

Katz comments on some of the differences between acting at Silver Spring Stage and student programs like school theater. “It was a lot more relaxed leadership wise than [other] productions, which makes sense because our cast was much smaller. Everybody was really self-disciplined. You could tell everybody wanted to be there, and they were really great about how organized they were and getting everywhere on time,” they explain. 

However, as the only teenager in the cast, Katz’s experience wasn’t always perfect. “Towards the beginning, it was a little awkward talking to people who are all college age or older. But as I eventually got to know everybody, people started chatting with me a little more… It was a little bit of a strange dynamic at first, but eventually, we got pretty close.”

One of the most important aspects of theater in general is building community through a shared interest. Many students across all types of theater programs don’t participate in them to prepare for a career in theater, but to be able to work closely with their friends and in a supportive community. Pranio shares how this is the case with Lumina. “One thing about Lumina, we're really all a big family. These are your people. You're doing a show with them. You're with them a whole ton. We have these 8 hour rehearsals where you're just there with your people and you’re working on your show and that really helps to foster a community.”

If you’re intrigued by any of these programs, all of which received glowing reviews by these participants, there are many ways to get involved. You can find more information about Lumina’s programs on their website, and students of any age are encouraged to join. TPC isn’t currently accepting new members as their current season is already well underway, but applications for stage crew positions open in February. Silver Spring Stage only auditions teenagers if a role requires it, but anyone interested is encouraged to volunteer as a member of the stage crew for their productions. All of these programs are amazing opportunities for those interested in theater and are highly recommended by those who have participated, so go check them out!