Every year, seniors at Mater Dei look forward to different activities that mark the ending chapter in their high school careers. One of these activities include the Senior Musical, an anticipated and loved tradition that gathers the graduating class in a fun and unique way. 

For a lot of seniors, it’s their first time performing in any kind of musical or play. However, those who have been involved in theatre for several years encourage newcomers. Senior Micah Golden, who has participated in theatre since his freshman year, feels that the senior musical is the perfect opportunity for students to put themselves out there and step outside of their comfort zones.

“You’re only a senior one time, so you’ve got to make the most of it,” Golden said. “Don’t be afraid of trying something new.”

Senior musical is open to all seniors, regardless of their experience or theatre background. While a lack of experience can discourage some students from participating, learning new things can be a major highlight of people’s senior year. Music Teacher and Collaborative Pianist Kent Helwig believes this is what makes the senior musical so fun.

“[It’s] really a wonderful transformation to see them from day one until opening night,” Helwig said. “It’s so fun to see people that didn’t realize they could do something, suddenly realize they can.”

Along with learning new things and trying something different, Senior Musical is a great way for students to get to know and connect with their classmates. Throughout high school, it’s not guaranteed that students will have a chance to interact with all their peers by senior year. Vice President of School Relations Scott Melvin encourages seniors to utilize this opportunity to bond and create new friendships. 

“You might have been sitting next to somebody in math class the last four years, and never [really] met them, and then you’re here, and you’re doing a waltz with them, and then you end up being great friends because of that,” Melvin said. 

The production also presents seniors a chance to focus their attention and energy in a fun and exciting activity. Golden hopes that other students can use this performance as a release from life stresses and distractions, which has been foundational to his own love for theatre.

“It creates escapism [for people],” Golden said. “There’s so much going on in the world today, it’s important that we have the chance to breathe.”

Throughout the years of the Senior Musical tradition there have been different changes, a main change being making Senior Musical more inviting for more students. This includes changing schedules to fit seniors’ hectic schedules. Musical Theatre Teacher Andrea Fouts gives insight to this change.

“In the time I’ve been at Mater Dei, Senior Musical has changed a bit in how we can get more students involved,” Fouts said. “We have changed the schedule to make it a little more accessible for more students. We try to make the whole process shorter than a regular musical, so that seniors with very busy lives can fit it in.”

For seniors that have been in theatre since freshman year, this musical is a chance for them to show off their four years of growing in their theatre skills. Getting to watch seniors grow and push their boundaries is an aspect of teaching that Helwig deeply appreciates.

“They’re timid, they’re quiet, they’re shy, and then you watch them in a production, and then the rehearsal process, and they really get to grow,” Helwig said. “They gain more confidence, they develop a stage presence. There’s kind of a progression that happens [where] they might find a monolog or a song that they really connect with, and it brings out qualities in themselves that they didn’t necessarily know they had. That’s probably the most exhilarating aspect of teaching and coaching, to see how somebody just blossoms and grows.”

Senior Musical is something all seniors should participate in one way or another. It is a great chance for seniors to meet their peers, grow as people, learn, and ultimately experience one more senior year victory.

“I hope, for future seniors, that it’s something that either they’re very much open to or something that they’re familiar with,” Golden said. “Overall, have fun, because any show is fun as long as you stir the boat and make the most out of [it].”