Drama

Performance is a hallmark of education at The Cathedral School. Our community joyously gathers for much-loved annual events like the Greek Play, Elizabethan Evensong, and the 8th grade musical, instilling in our students a lifelong appreciation of the arts and creative expression.

Staged by the 6th grade, the Greek Play is a culmination of the study of the Ancient Greek culture in English, including the Greek myths, The Iliad, and The Odyssey; social studies and the politics and philosophy of the Ancient Greek city-states, particularly Athens; and art, examining classical sculpture and architecture as well as vase painting and motif. The students are cast as gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters and tell stories of Perseus and Medusa, Atalanta, the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Theseus and the Minotaur.

In 7th grade, students embark on six months of scholarly study and dramatic training culminating in the performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in The Cathedral of St. John the Divine. English, art, and music teachers collaborate with students to stage this remarkable Elizabethan Evensong, a showcase of the sophistication and academic talents so prevalent in our student body.

The 8th grade musical is a beloved Cathedral tradition that unites graduating students in the spirit of camaraderie and creativity, providing them with a chance to shine individually and as a group. Musicals performed in recent years have included Guys and Dolls, Grease, and West Side Story. The memories our 8th graders take from the musical—and leave behind—add to our rich history.