Drama

Another source of creativity and learning at Hillcrest Academy is in the drama program. Hillcrest has a long history of performing arts including drama and musicals. Each year we perform classic musicals or dramas as well as contemporary and period pieces. 

All performances take place in our state-of-the-art 557 seat Fine Arts center, Celebration Hall.

Upcoming Performance

Lights, Camera, Action! All theater enthusiasts, get ready to be swept away by the magic of live theater as we unveil the enthralling lineup drama lineup for the 2024-2025 school year.

Get ready for a smile-inducing, heart-warming spectacle as Hillcrest Academy proudly presents the timeless classic, Annie! Join the irrepressible Annie, a spunky orphan with a heart of gold, on her unforgettable journey. Featuring iconic songs like “Tomorrow” and “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” Annie promises a night of laughter, hope, and musical magic.

Mark your calendars for November 9-10 when our middle school and high school thespians will present three shows.

Past Performances

The spring production of A Seussified Pride & Prejudice featured three performances on March 22-23, 2024. The performance was directed by Andrea Farrier and Natalie Silbaugh.

A Seussified Pride & Prejudice

The fall production of Our Miss Brooks featured three performances on November 4-5, 2023. The performance was directed by Andrea Farrier and Natalie Silbaugh.

Our Miss Brooks

The spring ORIGINAL production of The Show Must Go On! featured three performances on March 24-25, 2023. The performance was written and directed by Andrea Farrier. 

The Show Must Go On!

The fall production of Around The World In 80 Days featured three performances on November 4-6, 2022. The performance was directed by Andrea Farrier with technical support from Michael Swartzendruber ’07. 

Around The World In 80 Days

The spring musical production of Mary Poppins featured three performances on March 25-27, 2022. The performance was directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07 and Andrea Farrier. 

Mary Poppins

The fall drama production of Mom’s Gift featured three performances on November 5-7, 2021. The performance was directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07. 

Mom’s Gift

The spring drama production of Women Who Weave featured three performances on April 10 & 11, 2021. The performance was directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07. 

Women Who Weave

Monologues

The fall of 2020’s scheduled production will took a new direction due to limitations on traditional performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three students selected Monologues to prepare and perform in the three standard genres: dramatic, classic and comedic. After memorization and direction, Meredith Blossom ’21, Ivana Ebersole ’22, and Sarah Miller ’21 were recorded in audition format on the Celebration Hall stage.

Beauty and the Beast

The performances of the musical Beauty and the Beast were held on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, 2019. The musical was directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07 and Mike Wagner.

Peter Pan & Wendy

Peter Pan and Wendy was performed on May 4-5, 2019 and was directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07. 

2018 Children’s Drama

The 2018 Children’s Drama was performed on April 28-29, 2018. The dramas featured fresh tellings of the old stories of Hansel and Gretel, 3 Little Wolves (and the big bad pig) and Mushkil Gusha.

Anne of Green Gables

The performances of the musical Anne of Green Gables were held on November 4-5, 2017 and directed by Michael Swartzendruber ’07 and Alisa Kandel.

2017 Children’s Drama

The spring children’s drama under the direction of Donna Swartzendruber, Amy Drayfahl ’95, Lorene Bender ’70 and Laurie Miller ’99 was held on April 29-30, 2017. The three productions were Jack and the Three Sillies, The Pretender Hen, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Between these plays were fun-loving performances of Dancing, Gymnastics, Stomp, and Synchronized Swimming. 

Those Crazy Ladies in the House on the Corner

Performances were held November 5-6, 2016 for Those Crazy Ladies in the House on the Corner by Pat Cook and directed by Megan Miller ’06 and Allison Yoder ’09.