Lower Schooler students at Abington Friends School are given many opportunities to hone their performing and presentation skills as drama and theatre is an integral part of the classroom experience.

Plays, puppet shows, and student-created skits are happening daily somewhere in the Lower School. 

Twice a year, a special program combining music and dance and featuring every Lower School student, is shared with the community. In addition, Lower School students perform in AFS community programs including various classroom presentations, Assembly, Arbor Day, and Commencement.

The Middle School theatre program focuses on building effective communication through exploring, creating and finding our own story.  

Units in creative storytelling, improvisation, playwriting, design and performance, allow students to experience the broad range of skills theatre has to offer, skills which can be applied both on stage and beyond. With an emphasis on ensemble work and group process students explore their creativity both as individuals and as part of a team.

Throughout their years in the Middle School the theatre program encourages students to discover a deeper understanding of themselves, their classmates and the world around them through the unique lens of theatre and how that lens illuminates our differences, our similarities and our humanity.

Each spring, all Middle School students are invited to take part in the annual Middle School Mainstage Production - either a play or a musical. Students can choose to join the production onstage as performers, developing their acting and stage presence, or explore the world of technical theatre by working behind the scenes. Those interested in tech receive hands-on guidance from Upper School students and faculty. All students who audition for the Middle School production will be cast. Any questions can be directed to fsewell@abingtonfriends.net.
 

The Upper School theatre program provides challenging learning experiences to expose student actors and student technicians to the multi-faceted world of live performance.

The theatre program empowers students with the skills, history and artistry of theatre in order to explore the stories, old, new and yet to be created, of what it is to be a human being. We strive to expose our students to a full spectrum of theatre in terms of history, style and genre, and are particularly engaged by the opportunities to connect with new work and living artists.

Students may engage in both the acting and technical tracks, or focus on just one. Both tracks seek to ground the student in practical individual skills while placing emphasis on the collaborative nature of theatre.  Students are encouraged to experience theatre through the Mainstage Season, with two major productions a year, or through student-driven Independent Projects. 

In the class, on the stage, and behind the scenes, students learn the craft of performing, designing, and technical theatre. AFS students discover how the collaborative efforts of many combine to bring to life stories that surprise, challenge and delight, reminding us all of what makes us unique; what we share in common; and what we have yet to learn.

AFS is a participant in the Cappies program, a national program celebrating the work and achievement of high school theatre and theatre critics. Since joining the program, the AFS theatre program has been recognized with  62 nominations in 19 categories and 18 wins.