It’s pretty clear walking through the halls of North Atlanta that there is no shortage of extraordinary talent. With posters adorning the walls advertising musicals, band and orchestra performances, football games, and too many clubs to count, North Atlanta students are obviously very involved in extracurricular communities. Some students however, are taking their talents outside the building and giving back, volunteering to direct the Sutton Middle School Musical. 

The middle school show this year, playing November 7-9 at the Sutton theater, will be “Matilda: The Musical,” a choice made by the play’s two directors, seniors Gillian Schuh and Cole Bickerstaff. Other North Atlanta Warriors are also involved, taking up the roles of music directing, set design, and choreography. Many of the students have helped to direct the play in the past, in addition to acting in the plays as middle-schoolers at Sutton. The full directorial staff is made up of North Atlanta students, and the actual production and creative process behind the play is fully student-led. “We have North Atlanta parents that help us with set and costume and other things that we can’t do like booking the theater and making programs,” says Schuh, “but every other aspect is managed by the high-schoolers.”

Other than directing, there are many other managing roles available to North Atlanta students in the play. All aspects of the production must be covered from stage manager to music director. Additionally, there are learning roles available to students who want to learn more about the directing process and how to put on a successful show. Freshman Marley Jones is an assistant stage manager, working under and learning from stage manager Jessica Stevens. Her main jobs include keeping the cast up to date by writing rehearsal reports and contacting students and parents.

For students interested in the theater world, directing a musical is a valuable experience for developing skills to help them in future careers. Learning the ins and outs of putting on a full production while they are still in high school can give them a better idea of what they want to do with their lives, or to discover new passions. Even though not all the staff members are looking for a career in directing or musical theater, the idea of working within the arts is very appealing to many. Aside from this, it is a great opportunity for a fun extracurricular and a very rewarding project for everyone involved.

Mckenna Weinbaum, an assistant director for the play said, “We love the energy and the excitement of the kids. They have so much fun together as a cast and I can’t wait to see them light up and show their hard work during the show.”

These brilliant students are accomplishing an amazing feat in this musical: developing their skills and expanding their knowledge of musical theater, as well as giving back toward some of their favorite experiences of middle school. Sutton students eager to explore the world of acting are very lucky to be under the guidance of the experienced bunch that walk the halls of our 11 stories. The Miss Honey to their Matilda, the North Atlanta students are helping cultivate talents within these children, and having a great time doing it. Take your seats and silence your cell phones, this is one you won’t want to miss.