Theater
Theater
Acting on
Instinct
At GPS, theater is a vibrant and collaborative experience that exists beyond the classroom.
Whether she’s an aspiring actor, a tech-savvy crew member, or a leader ready to take on roles like assistant director or stage manager, there's a place for her in our theater offerings.
“I had never been a part of theater before GPS, but as soon as I joined this amazing community I ended up doing more and more shows. The teachers and students have supported me through every hard time, and they make doing the plays or musicals that much more fun!"Bea B '28
GPS | McCallie 2025 Spring Production Earns 12 Nominations, Including Best Musical
Newsies received 12 nominations from the Jewel Awards, Chattanooga’s premier high school theater honors hosted by the Tivoli Theatre Foundation.
Meet the Faculty
Technical theater was so interesting that I started stage managing and tech instead of acting. Ms. Padro got me back into theater and taught me to find joy in the process. Mr. Wagner taught me a lot about set-building and was so receptive to feedback. I’m very appreciative of their guidance and mentorship.Sydnie W. '25
Theater Opportunities
Below is a sample of opportunities available. Classes may change due to student interest.
Theater Arts
Students take part in a playwriting and production laboratory and learn the introductory theater terminology and practices. The class culminates in performances of original plays written, directed, and performed by students.
Middle School Musical
Designed for performers of all experience levels, this after-school enrichment program with our brother school, The McCallie School, fosters creativity, confidence, and camaraderie as students work together to stage a full-scale musical. Recent productions include Alice in Wonderland JR, Cinderella JR, and Matilda JR.
Storytelling and the Stage
This introductory theater class prepares her to confidently approach a variety of situations, from play auditions to speaking in public to understanding others’ motivations in everyday life.
Improvisation
Improvisation is an invaluable skill for any girl who needs to think on her feet, speak in public, or collaborate with others. Students in this class will use active listening and practice “saying yes” as they add new information to others’ ideas in order to tell a coherent story.
Principles of Production Design
This course is for the student who wants to know how live productions are created and the theory behind how scenery, lighting, sound, properties, and costumes are taken from the page to the stage from a design perspective.
Technical Theater Workshop
Students learn to construct and finish scenery, focus and program lighting, and compose and map projection and sound elements for concerts, musicals, and events.
Upper School Musical
Designed for performers of all experience levels, this after-school enrichment program with our brother school, The McCallie School, fosters creativity, confidence, and camaraderie as students work together to stage a full-scale musical. Recent productions include Newsies, Mean Girls: High School Version, and Fiddler on the Roof.
Middle & Upper School Plays
GPS students of all ages can participate in annual division-level plays with students at McCallie, held on our brother's school campus. Recent productions include middle school performances of Narnia and Romeo and Juliet in Middle School and upper school performances of The Outsiders and Peter and the Starcatcher.