Arts In Education

Students show off their talents in the first performance of musical theater

By Abbie Lee Webster

Musical Theater Director, Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate Highschool

Smiling child actor in an Annie costume performing on a brightly lit stage.

Child performer in a Winnie the Pooh costume singing on a colorful stage.

Young performer in blazer singing passionately onstage with one arm outstretched.

The Seaside School took an exciting leap into the world of musical theater this year with our first-ever production, “Pure Imagination,” performed at the iconic REP Theatre in Seaside. The show was a joyful, high-energy showcase featuring beloved songs from classic musicals including “Willy Wonka,” “Seussical,” “Peter Pan,” “Matilda” and more. Each number was brought to life by our incredibly talented middle and high school students.

“Pure Imagination” would not have been possible without the generous support of The REP Theatre. Brook Stetler and Aubrey Ainsworth serve as the Executive Director and Managing Director at the REP, and they are nothing short of phenomenal. We are deeply grateful for their generosity in enhancing our students’ experience through a professional atmosphere, exceptional technical expertise, and patient guidance. We share the belief that supporting the arts in education is a profound and tangible way to directly impact students’ lives for the better. The performing arts specifically provide opportunities for students to grow in confidence, creativity and leadership, while also having a lot of fun.

Our students had a blast at The REP. One of our sweetest memories from showtime was when our students asked if they could bring their stuffed animals from home to sit in the audience as their very first practice audience. Along the way, they would constantly surprise us with their creative ideas, enthusiasm and talent. They were always thinking outside of the box and open to new ideas. Watching our students take ownership of their roles, support each other and shine onstage was a joy. We are so proud of each and every one of them.

As a newcomer to the Seaside community, I’ve been overwhelmed by the encouragement from parents, faculty and local arts leaders. For example, every set piece in “Pure Imagination” was beautifully painted by local artists who generously donated their time and talent. Their contributions not only elevated the visual storytelling of our show but also demonstrated to students the impact of collaboration and community support. The spirit of creativity and teamwork is alive and well in our little coastal town, and I’m honored to help foster that in our SNS and Seacoast students.

Our hope is that this is only the beginning. With “Pure Imagination” as our foundation, we’re looking ahead to growing our program — offering more performance opportunities, deepening our curriculum in the classroom and continuing to collaborate with local organizations like The REP.

Are you interested in supporting the arts in education? Do you love musical theater? Mark your calendars. Our high schoolers will bring “The Addams Family” to life Oct. 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. this fall. Then, in the spring, dive under the sea with our middle schoolers as they present “The Little Mermaid” April 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. We’d love to see you there! The arts are flourishing at Seaside Neighborhood School, and we can’t wait to see how our new Musical Theater Program grows and how our community continues to support and encourage the arts.