The AQ stage glowed as two theatrical worlds unfolded — the whimsical charm of Willy Wonka Jr. brought to life by the Middle School, and the haunting magic of HadesTown, Teen Edition staged by the High School. While vastly different in tone and tale, both productions shared a common heartbeat: a community of students driven by passion, creativity, and a deep bond that extended far beyond the final curtain call. 7 the arts come alive Behind the Curtain: AQ Theatre For eighth grader Selena Thompson, playing the fantastical Willy Wonka was more than just stepping into a character. “Theatre has taught me how to be comfortable expressing myself... it’s drawn out a deeper creative side than I knew I had,” she said. As her final production at Aquinas before moving down south, the experience became a personal milestone. “Wonka Jr. will always have a special place in my heart.” Across the stage calendar, the High School cast of HadesTown, Teen Edition took on the challenge of a deeply emotional and musically complex production — a sungthrough retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. For Riley Miner ’26, who portrayed Eurydice, the show was a dream come true. “HadesTown has been my favorite musical since seventh grade,” Riley said. “We get to cheer each other on and dance together… it’s so much fun!” But it was more than the music. It was the community. “I’ve met people through Aquinas theatre that I know are going to be my lifelong friends. They’ve helped me through hard times, and I’m so grateful to call them my family.” Behind the scenes, a different kind of artistry was at play. From set design and pulley systems to props, lights, and stage direction, the crew members were the quiet forces that brought each story to life. “Crew is just as important as what’s happening on stage — without us, there would be no lights, no sound, no movement,” said Caiden Failing ’25, Production Stage Manager for HadesTown, Teen Edition. “Everyone has a home on crew.” His favorite moment? The beloved “crew version” of the production performed just for fun during tech week — renamed “EvertTown” in honor of a fellow crew member. “It was just pure fun — my favorite part was when the cast would watch and cheer us on.” At the helm of both productions was Mr. Andrew Pratt, Aquinas Theatre Director and Vocal Director, who believes deeply in the transformative power of theatre. “Theatre is magic. It’s the pinnacle of the performing arts because it binds them all together in the service of storytelling,” he said. “It creates family. It creates lifetime friendships. It creates core memories.” He recalled watching scenes come to life — from vocal rehearsals to fully staged performances — and feeling a kind of joy that words could barely capture. “Theatre magic is not wanting the song to end, not wanting the show to end... wanting those voices to keep washing over you.” Both shows demanded a full commitment from cast and crew — long rehearsals, intense focus, and emotional depth. But they also gave something back: a place to belong, to shine, and to grow. Whether under the stage lights or behind the curtain, Aquinas Theatre continues to offer students a place to express, connect, and create — one scene, one cue, one unforgettable performance at a time. Special thanks to Al Mosher P’10, ’12, for capturing the magic of our performances. To see more photos, visit our website gallery! “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always been curious and imaginative. ‘Pure Imagination’ describes what it’s like to live in your own little wondrous world and quiet the loud demands of everyday life.”– Selena Thompson ’29 “Theatre kids aren’t the most popular in high school — and I love that. We fine arts students stick close to each other… I don’t know many that have a family like the theatre program at Aquinas.” – Riley Miner ’26 “There is no show without the crew.”– Caiden Failing ’25 “When people have questions, they tend to come to me. I’ve learned to take control more and lead the crew in building the set.” – Delilah Rogers ’26 “I had one student say to me, ‘I’m going to tell my kids about this show.’ That’s why it’s important.”– Mr. Andrew Pratt and
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