Theatre

On November 22, 23, and 24, Viewpoint’s Upper School Theatre students presented their highly anticipated performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition in the Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Written by acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen, this comedic and poignant play follows high schooler Agnes Evans as she copes with the untimely death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes discovers Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she is transported into a fantastical world of ogres, fairies, succubus cheerleaders, and ‘90s pop culture references. Through her adventures, Agnes gains new insights into her sister’s life and finds her own inner strength. The play offers a heartfelt exploration of family, imagination, and connection, delivering moments of both laughter and reflection.

“This creative and production team brought incredible talent and dedication to this project,” said Scott Feldsher, Theatre and Dance Department Chair and the director. “Our acting ensemble not only navigated the complex emotional journeys of their characters but also embraced the physicality and fantasy elements that brought this world to life. From the dazzling fight choreography to the quiet moments of introspection, their work was extraordinary. We are so proud of the creativity and teamwork they demonstrated throughout this process.”

Congratulations to our Upper School theatre students for their outstanding performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition!

Viewpoint School recognizes Mei Zhong and Heng Xiao for their generous leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as members of the Head of School Circle.

From November 8-10, our Middle School theatre students captivated audiences with three sold-out performances of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast at Viewpoint’s Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Stepping into the enchanted world of this beloved Broadway classic, audiences were treated to some of the most iconic songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, including “Belle,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Gaston,” and “Be Our Guest.” The story follows Belle, a young woman from a provincial town, and the Beast, a cursed prince yearning to break the spell that has transformed him. To lift the curse, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before time runs out—or he and his household will be doomed forever.

“This musical is truly a tale as old as time. Its enduring appeal lies in its exploration of themes that go beyond the story itself,” shared Lisa Roskowinski, Middle and Upper School Theatre Teacher and the director. “Fairytales captivate us with their fantasy, adventure, and romance, but it’s the moral questions and lessons they impart that keep us coming back.”

Congratulations to our Middle School theatre students on their successful performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! 

Viewpoint School recognizes Lauren and Alfred English for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Head of School Circle.

Julian Dans ’25 has been passionate about music from a young age, writing songs and performing in musical theater since he was eight. Now a Senior at Viewpoint School, he recently showcased his original full-length musical, “Elevation,” in a staged reading in Viewpoint’s Black Box Theater this September.

Inspired by a novel he read in seventh grade, “Elevation” explores themes of human connection, small differences, and the impact of helping others. Julian has spent the past several years developing the project, refining the music and lyrics until he felt it had reached its final form.

“I’ve rewritten almost every song from scratch, some of them twice or three times,” Dans said. “The show that I have now is completely different from what I started with, but it’s the same story that ties it all together.”

With the support of Viewpoint School and a $3,000 grant from the YoungArts Foundation, Julian was able to assemble a professional cast and bring Elevation to life.

“Working with professional actors was incredible. At first, I worried they wouldn’t take me seriously, but they were so supportive and really understood my vision,” shared Dans. “It felt like I was part of something truly professional.”

“Julian has an incredible maturity for someone his age,” said Scott Feldsher, Theatre and Dance Department Chair. “Watching him direct these actors with such confidence and clarity was impressive. He’s truly developed into a young artist ready to take on larger stages.”

This experience allowed Julian to take on multiple roles beyond writing. He directed the production, gave notes to the actors, and managed the entire process from start to finish.

“It was like watching a student step into the professional world for the first time,” Feldsher added. “The actors respected his leadership and approach because he handled the responsibility with such poise.”

Julian views “Elevation” as a significant stepping stone in his creative journey, marking not just the culmination of years of hard work, but also what he hopes will be the beginning of a long and evolving career in the arts.

“I’d love for the show to go further, but even if it doesn’t, it’s something I can show to people in the industry as a representation of what I can do,” Dans said. “It’s been a huge learning experience, and I’m ready to keep growing as a writer.”

“I have no doubt that Julian is destined for big things,” Feldsher said. “He has the talent, the passion, and most importantly the perseverance to succeed. He’s already World Ready.”

On May 17 and 18, our Middle School theatre students transported audiences back to their childhood with a nostalgic performance of Ramona Quimby at Viewpoint’s Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Unpredictable, exasperating, boisterous, and independent—that’s Ramona Quimby! Narrated by her older sister Beezus, the play captures Ramona's tumultuous third-grade year. Audiences watched as Ramona navigated life with Beezus, her teacher's perceived unfairness, her favorite aunt's wedding to Howie's goofball uncle, and afternoons with Howie's grandmother, Mrs. Kemp. Amidst these adventures, the Quimby family faced Dad losing his job, making necessary adjustments to stay afloat. Through it all, Ramona and Beezus learned that while life isn’t always fair, having a sister can be incredibly rewarding.

“During the first performance, the students and I heard a lot of laughter and reactions from the audience,” said Lisa Roskowinski, Middle and Upper School Theatre Teacher and the director. “After the show, many parents approached me to share how they remembered reading these books as kids.”

The process leading up to the production began in January, with students initially rehearsing once a week. As the show approached, rehearsals increased to three to four days a week, including Saturdays during the final month. Another unique element was that the crew members consisted of primarily Middle School students, with just two Upper Schoolers assisting backstage and with lighting.

“It was a very cohesive Seventh and Eighth Grade crew, with the addition of one Sixth Grader,” added Roskowinski. “They worked really well together, and it's exciting to envision the next group heading into Upper School who will be joining us behind the scenes.” 

We invite you to witness more of our theatre productions firsthand at our annual Arts Fest this Saturday, June 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on our campus. Programs will be available upon entrance, but you can check out the schedule now to start planning your experience.