STUDIO & STAGE

YPTP OVER THE YEARS

TOP: From left, Aanchal ’32, Beatrix ’28, and Morgan ’28 were part of the summer 2022 production of Peter Pan. BOTTOM LEFT: Addie ’25 and Ann Gray ’24 in a 2018 production of Trolls. BOTTOM RIGHT: Will ’27 and Adi ’26 in a 2019 production of Pandora’s Socks and Other Fractured Greek Myths.

Setting the Stage for Young Students to Shine

Beatrix Clark ’28 dreams of performing in Norfolk Academy’s Winter Musical in her years ahead, taking the Johnson Theater stage as a sellout crowd roars.

Even before she began Middle School this fall, Beatrix had opportunities to strengthen her skills, thanks to the Young People’s Theatre Program.

Commonly known as YPTP, the program runs year-round as an Enrichment activity and part of Summer at the Academy. It gives students, primarily in grades 4 through 6, the chance to act and work behind the scenes, continuing the school’s efforts to help them develop their communication skills on the big stage.

Music Teacher Becky Peterson, who has directed YPTP the past six years, noted that students in grades 1 through 3 participate in fine arts performances; first graders do the Three Piggy Opera, second graders do classroom plays, and third graders do the Field Day Play.

YPTP extends that growth, which better prepares Lower School students for the myriad fine arts offerings in Middle and Upper School, including fall and spring plays, dance concerts, and the popular Winter Musical.

Students who sign up for YPTP run the gamut in terms of skill and interest level, Peterson said. Some, like Beatrix, dream of future performances. Others are newcomers who simply enjoy the camaraderie of the group, but likely will play sports rather than act as they get older.

Peterson scripts the shows with the full group in mind.

“I want to give each child a moment to shine on stage,” she said.

Caroline Bisi, who teaches drama in Middle and Upper School and directs the Winter Musical, said YPTP prepares students to take the next step. It helps with memorizing lines, working with music, and incorporating dramatic pauses into lines, among a host of other virtues.

“It’s definitely a wonderful thing to get the students experience on stage, living in the moment, learning about terminology in the theater,” Bisi said. “So that when they get to Middle School they have a better idea about what goes into a production.”

Campbell Peterson ’29, Becky’s daughter, has participated in YPTP as often as possible during her Lower School career. (Covid forced the cancellation of several seasons.) She’s also a talented athlete, so she isn’t sure she’ll continue in the fine arts down the road.

What keeps her coming back to YPTP is the camaraderie.

“When you’re doing a big scene, everyone is supporting you,” Campbell said.

Beatrix agrees. She has other reasons for participating, though. YPTP has taught her so much about acting, she said. She has learned to adapt into character quickly and memorize lines under deadline pressure. She has also learned the importance of projecting her voice and enunciating. One other simple reason she participates: It’s fun.

“I’ve always loved theater, and I wanted the chance to do what I love,” she said. “I want to put a smile on other people’s faces.” ◆

Mike Connors is Digital and Social Media Specialist.