Upper School Musical Songs for a New World a Triumph of Production and Performance—See the Photos!

St. Margaret’s production of the Upper School musical Songs for a New World was an extraordinary triumph in innovation, collaboration, creativity and performance, as the talented Tartans impressed a small in-person crowd and many more watching virtually. The cast performed live in four unforgettable shows that were streamed outdoors from the Nolet Amphitheater, located in the courtyard of the Maseeh Middle School campus that is typically used for Middle School activities, school meetings and informal presentations.

The 24 performers, including eight seniors in their final musical theater show with The Arts at St. Margaret’s, performed the 1995 song-cycle musical, in which each song in the series of vignettes is told through a different character’s perspective. As the audience follows on the musical journey, they recognize a common threads such as overcoming intense moments of crisis, and the hope that carries individual’s through challenges.

“Broadway may be dark, but the lights are on here at The Arts at St. Margaret’s,” said Upper School performing arts teacher Daniel Pacheco, who directed the musical and led the efforts to perform at Nolet. Mr. Pacheco’s directorial team included Assistant Director Corinne Samskey, Music Director Stacey Miles, Choreographer Kirsten Harvey, Orchestra Director Adela Kwan, and Technical Director Gordon Richins. The technical elements were so integral to this production that critical help was provided by PAC Production Assistant and SMES alum, Spencer Keane, and senior Espen Garner, who ended an impressive run of involvement with theatrical productions at the School.

“Our cast mastered an atypical rehearsal process adhering to all COVID-19 protocol. They attended music rehearsals safely online or outside while wearing masks and staying physically distant. Hybrid rehearsals allowed students at home to learn their parts and sing their duets to computer screens. Despite these challenges, the cast’s passion carried them through.”

In addition to the performances, which included singing, acting, dancing (both in-person and virtually), the production of the show within multifaceted restrictions and circumstances shined.

It was the first major theater performance held in the Nolet venue. The first-of-its-kind idea required collaboration by all corners of St. Margaret’s campus—the IT department supported this endeavor, maintenance and facilities installed new electrical wiring, the Middle School accommodated the installation of lights and equipment, the communications department provided school film footage that the production team edited into a compelling aligned storyline projected as a backdrop to the performers, and all aspects of The Arts—theater, music, band, dance, even film—worked together to create a show like no other.

St. Margaret’s worked with outside lighting design expert, and a professional production company handled the production and streaming. Upper School senior Ryan Krall and freshman Jack Justus worked on the technical crew.

Having the production outdoors created additional challenges—crews had to strike the equipment after each show and set up again the next day, for example—but the end result was stunning. Despite some concern about rain, none of the shows were rescheduled and, in a gorgeous finish, the final show took place under a full moon. 

St. Margaret’s plans to use Nolet Amphitheater again in May for the Middle School play A Wrinkle in Time, as the Arts department continues to innovate and think creatively in an effort keep performing arts going during an unprecedented time.