For Megan Shaw ’26, theatre has been a constant throughout her Viewpoint journey. A dedicated performer in Choir, Voices Now, and Theatre, Shaw will continue her artistic and academic journey this fall at Wagner College, where she plans to study Theatre Education.

Shaw's love of theatre began at a young age, and one of her earliest Viewpoint memories helped inspire her connection to the stage. As a child, she visited backstage during an Upper School production and joined the cast for warmups.

"Being a part of that group, just for those five minutes, meant so much to me," Shaw said. "It's one of the main reasons why I signed up to do my first musical at Viewpoint in Sixth Grade."

Since then, Shaw has appeared in every Viewpoint musical, including productions staged during the pandemic. This year, she took on the lead role of Cady Heron in Mean Girls.

"Playing Cady in Mean Girls was honestly a dream come true," Shaw said. "It was surreal getting the opportunity to play her as my final role at Viewpoint."

While performing has been a significant part of her journey, Shaw's experiences working with younger students helped her discover another passion: teaching.

"The thing I love most about teaching kids how to perform isn't teaching them the song lyrics or blocking," Shaw said. "It's helping them gain the confidence to perform in front of people."

This year, Shaw worked alongside Mrs. Dietsch and Mrs. Roskowinski on the Middle School production of Matilda, an experience that reinforced her desire to become an educator.

"Getting to know each student on not only an artistic level but a personal level showed me how much of an impact I can make on students' lives," Shaw said.

Shaw credits both Mrs. Roskowinski and Mrs. Dietsch with helping shape her journey as an artist and future educator.

"They've both been my teachers since Sixth Grade and have always been so supportive and encouraging," Shaw said. "Not only are they incredible teachers, but they are also incredible people. Their continuous hard work inspires me every day."

Looking ahead, Shaw hopes to use theatre as a way to help young people build confidence and find their voices.

"When I was younger, I used to be really shy, and theatre is what ultimately broke me out of my shell," Shaw said. "I want to give kids that same feeling I got when I stepped on a stage as a kid."

Laughter, suspense, and courtroom drama filled the Carlson Family Theater on May 15 and 16 as Viewpoint’s Seventh and Eighth Grade students brought The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf to life.

The Middle School production invited audiences into a playful retelling of familiar fairy tale events, putting the Big Bad Wolf on trial as characters from classic stories took the witness stand. Featuring jurors such as Cinderella, Miss Muffet, and Humpty Dumpty, the production blended humor, mystery, and unexpected twists while encouraging audiences to consider questions of justice, perspective, and truth.

This year’s production also held added significance as students took the stage during the 20th anniversary year of the Carlson Family Theater.

“I enjoyed working on this piece of theatre with this exuberant cast. As we celebrate 20 years of performances in our Carlson Family Theater, I am filled with gratitude for all the truly exceptional theatrical productions we have put on our stage,” said Director Lisa Roskowinski. “I want to thank everyone who has graced this stage, worked behind the scenes or sat in our audience to support our programs and live theatre over the years.”

“It’s been an amazing journey to watch students grow, mature, and perform in the Carlson Family Theater over the past 20 years,” said Lara Conklin, Director of Operational Services. “Whether students are involved in music, theater, or dance, it’s been a gift to see them find their voice on our stage. Behind the scenes, we get to see students before they take the stage, perhaps a little timid or experiencing stage fright. It’s wonderful to watch them learn to believe in themselves throughout the rehearsal and performance process. It’s a blessing to see them so joyful and proud after a great performance.”

As the cast of The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf took their final bows, the performance served as both a celebration of the students’ hard work and another memorable chapter in the Carlson Family Theater’s ongoing legacy.

Springtime at Viewpoint brings with it a cherished tradition of Primary School performances in the Carlson Family Theater and on Blaney Patio. From March through May, students took the stage in delightful productions of Little Engine, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Rabbit and The Little Red Hen.

The festivities began in March with all three Kindergarten classes presenting Little Engine in the Carlson Family Theater. Adapted from Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could, the production has been a Viewpoint tradition for more than 20 years, teaching students the value of optimism and perseverance as the determined Little Blue Train saves the day.

Second Grade students brought The Wizard of Oz to life, celebrating friendship and resilience. The Carlson Family Theater transformed into the Land of Oz, complete with Munchkin Land, the Emerald City and Dorothy’s Kansas, as students delighted audiences with songs of hope and joy. 

In April, Blaney Patio became a magical English garden for First Grade’s Peter Rabbit. A Viewpoint tradition since 1967, the performance charmed an audience of families as students confidently brought Beatrix Potter’s beloved story to life.

The season concluded with Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students taking the stage on Blaney Patio for The Little Red Hen. Dressed as cats, pigs, ducks, cows, chicks and one Red Hen, Viewpoint’s youngest performers confidently shared the classic story, earning laughter and delighted reactions from the audience.

From the determined Little Blue Train to the magical Land of Oz, our youngest students showcased their talents while learning valuable lessons in perseverance, teamwork and creativity.

From Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, Viewpoint School’s Upper School Conservatory of Theatre brought Mean Girls: High School Version to the Carlson Family Theater in a bold, high-energy production filled with humor, heart, and standout performances.

The musical follows Cady Heron, who, after growing up on an African savanna, must navigate the unfamiliar and often ruthless social hierarchy of suburban Illinois. Quickly pulled into the orbit of “The Plastics,” led by the charismatic and calculating Regina George, Cady finds herself caught in a whirlwind of friendship, rivalry, and self-discovery. As she and her friends attempt a “Revenge Party” to take down Regina’s reign, Cady learns that taking on the Queen Bee comes with consequences. Featuring standout numbers like “Apex Predator,” “World Burn,” and “I’d Rather Be Me,” the production explored themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of peer dynamics in today’s world.

“It has been a unique and challenging experience to direct a show about teenagers with teenagers that takes place in the time we are living,” shared Director and Choreographer Lisa Roskowinski. “From day one the show has resonated with this ensemble, and they jumped into the process and the story. I am very proud of each one of them and commend them for their hours of hard work and dedication.”

The weekend concluded with a final performance that honored the cast and crew, including a special recognition of the seniors for their final production with the Upper School Conservatory of Theatre. As the curtain closed, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, marking a memorable end to the production.

Adding to the excitement of the weekend, the cast and crew received a special surprise with a personalized message from Tina Fey. The video was shared with the Viewpoint community and is available to watch here.

Viewpoint School recognizes The Bradway Family and Judy Gawlik Brown and Steven Brown for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Chair's Circle and Head of School Circle.