The drama program at St. Pius X School has put on many productions, including “Elf” and “Beauty and the Beast,” but the crew also performed two plays with faculty and parishioners: “Mary Poppins” and “Shrek.” (Photos provided)GREENSBORO — Julie Ray has grown into the role of leading one of the few drama programs for elementary and middle school students in the Triad area at St. Pius X School.
“It would be like a dream for me to see theater programs like this across the diocese,” Ray said. “I am living proof that you don’t have to have a theater background to enjoy the theater. There just has to be that desire.”
Ray admits that opening nights sometimes make her nervous. Yet, when the curtains unfold, God makes it work.
Her career in theater began right after COVID with a play in her English class.
“I saw how much it did for the kids,” Ray recalled. “It brought those who are normally very shy out of their shells.”
It was an experience that Ray wanted to replicate, so when the former principal asked her to restart the school’s theater program, she was eager to oblige.
“I wanted to bring it back, do some plays,” Ray said. “I have seen kids grow so much.”
Over the years, the program grew by leaps and bounds. Whether dancing around stage dressed as glass plates for “Beauty and the Beast” or singing in green slippers for the “Elf” Christmas musical, the drama program at St. Pius X shines in the public spotlight, raising money for the fine arts program and having a ball doing it.
Performances continue to sell out and thrill crowds while boosting the confidence of students and adults alike. Earlier this month, students, staff and parishioners put on a talent show featuring 25 performances on the main stage.
Ray debuted her singing with the Bette Midler song “The Glory of Love,” prepping her for her performance as Mrs. Hannigan in “Annie Junior,” the school’s annual play that will take the stage in February.
Ray filled the role of Annie at a casting call last spring. “When they came back in August, we were ready to roll,” Ray said.
This Annie does not have red curly hair, but just like St. Pius X, she’s original and sets her own trends, Ray said.
“This isn’t meant to be a professional performance. It is meant to give kids that moment to know that they can do it,” Ray said. “After all, the stage is a place for kids.”
Cast and crew unite
The drama team of around 30 fourth- to eighth-grade cast members meets once a week. Closer to production, rehearsal will jump to twice a week. A month prior, performers meet every night.
Students are responsible for sets and props. Costumes are sometimes bought or sewn by volunteers. The stage is small, so instead of painting backdrops, they rent projections.
“If you don’t have a large budget, you do what you can,” Ray said.
Ultimately, it takes a crew working together behind the scenes to bring it all together. Ray works on the blocking and lines during rehearsals and hands the performers off to music teacher Rob York on Saturday mornings.
“I have a parent volunteer who practices the choreography with them,” Ray said.
“We are working as a team to create something really beautiful,” Ray said. “Some kids don’t do sports, and they don’t play an instrument. This is something that they can do. That light God gave them shines. Theater is magic, and this is all about the joy that it brings to the kids.”
— Lisa M. Geraci