Arts

Theater Arts

Shipley’s theater program involves coursework as well as extracurricular rehearsals and performances.

The Lower School and Middle School theater programs focus on improvisation, script writing, and creativity. Opportunities abound for both informal and formal performances.
 
All Sixth Grade students take a theater course and put on a production that showcases the skills learned. Seventh and Eighth Graders have the option of choosing Theater as their Performing Arts course. In addition, they may audition for the Middle School Musical each spring.
 
Upper School classes perform theater exercises based on dramatic texts taken primarily from American contemporary theater. The level of sophistication increases by grade level as students learn general theater history and work with plays ranging from Greek tragedy to existential theater.

Theater at Shipley

Performance opportunities in Upper School include:
  • one-act plays
  • an auditioned spring musical
  • informal performances at assemblies
  • Shakespeare or other classical productions
Facilities
  • Newly renovated Riely Theatre includes state of the art lighting, sound, and scenic materials. Students also have the opportunity to learn technical theater and production skills
  • A new “grey box” (flexible “black box”) space in the Shipley Commons
  • Theater classrooms, dressing rooms, and offices beneath Riely Theatre

List of 9 news stories.

Meet the Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Phillip Brown

    Phillip Brown 

    Upper School Theater Director
    Phone/Extension: 4267
  • Photo of Chelsea Drumel

    Chelsea Drumel 

    Theater Producer
    Phone/Extension: 4681
  • Photo of Samantha Hurley

    Samantha Hurley 

    Technical Director of Theater
    Phone/Extension: 4294
  • Photo of Arvelle Jones

    Arvelle Jones 

    Middle School Theater Director, Middle School Drama Teacher
    Phone/Extension: 4112
  • Apply Apply
    Learn about the application process and submit your application today.
814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Phone: 610-525-4300
Fax: 610-525-5082
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.