Theatre at St. Mary’s High School: “It’s life-changing for so many students!”

By Jo Ann Kirby | photography by Kelli Powell

St. Mary’s High School is blessed with an award-winning theatre arts program led by Kevin Costello, its director of visual and performing arts. In addition to presenting two major productions each school year, the program features classes in drama, technical theatre and more.

This year’s highly anticipated Elf: The Musical, the program’s first Christmas musical, was staged in November at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. The hilarious production was fun for the cast and crew. It’s also fun for the audience that they strive to impress with their comic timing, impressive vocals, professionalism and all-around talent.
The production of Elf is sure to add to the kudos that St. Mary’s has racked up over the years. Past accolades include 25 Elly Awards from the Sacramento Regional Theatre Alliance, including Best Overall Production of an Education Musical in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and Best Overall Production of a Play in 2015. “More recently, our last two spring musicals received nominations by the Rita Moreno High School Musical Theatre Awards, with our production of Newsies in 2023 receiving the trophy for Fan Favorite,” Costello said. “Our advanced drama students have also received numerous medals for individual performances at the Lenaea High School Theatre Festival in Folsom the last few years.”

Nearly 100 students, out of St. Mary’s 800-plus enrollment, take part in the program’s two annual productions. They are led by hard-working professionals and volunteers in the local theater arts scene who teach them about makeup and costume design, set building, props, lighting, sound, backstage management, singing, acting, choreography and more. Students take on leadership roles backstage to help run a smooth show. Participants come away from the program having not only honed their talent as actors and singers but having gained critical life skills in public speaking, communication, problem solving and ingenuity.

More than that, theatre at St. Mary’s provides a place for students to belong and find their niche. High school can be challenging for students who are trying to fit in, keep up with their studies, find their friend groups and explore their talents in and out of the classroom. A welcoming theatre program provides space for everyone. While extroverts may find a role and shine onstage, there are plenty of jobs backstage that give students a toolbox of skills for their future.

“I can’t speak highly enough about how theatre is literally life-changing for so many students year after year. An arts professional gave a speech on campus a couple years ago and eloquently stated that ‘doctors aren’t the only ones who save lives.’ For many of these students, theatre is their safe space, their place to express themselves, to be welcomed without judgment, and to learn valuable life skills such as communicating effectively with others and working as a team toward a common goal,” Kevin said. “The number one phrase I hear from graduating seniors who join theatre late in high school is ‘I wish I had done this sooner.’”

Kevin is excited to announce their next endeavor. “We are thrilled to be the first in the area to produce the brand-new high school edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Tillie Lewis Theatre, San Joaquin Delta College, March 14 through 22, 2025,” he said. “We have many community members who come to and support our productions, even if they aren’t connected to Saint Mary’s, just because they love good theatre!”