The intention of Francis Parker Theater Arts in our High School is to elicit creative expression, social awareness, critical thinking, and artistry through our productions. We are committed to producing relevant works that allow our students to grow as performers, directors, and stage technicians. We aim to provide an engaging and vital theatrical experience for students and audiences alike.
While larger High School productions are performed in our Goshen Campus Theater, the Downtown Campus features a nearly 1900 square foot Performing Arts Space, set up as a black box theater with a light and sound booth and ample backstage and storage area. The space is very flexible and can incorporate risers and a stage set-up in several ways. This is the space where our vocal and music groups practice and perform most of the time and is also where we perform our Showcase of Student-Written and -Directed Plays in the fall.
Students have the opportunity to participate in two productions every year. The fall production alternates between a full-length play and the Showcase of Student-Written and -Directed Plays. The latter is a long-time tradition, providing students the opportunity to create their own artistic visions, collaborate with their peers, and share their work with the school and the larger community. Plays for the Showcase are generally written in a Playwriting elective course (more info on that below.) In alternate years, the production is a comedy or drama. Our spring production each year is typically a larger play, either a drama or comedy or, in alternating years, a musical. In 2024, Parker Neff arrived as Assistant Director of Theater Arts, and leads the Playwriting and Improv classes at the high school.
Theater on our Goshen Campus was originally founded as the “St. Francis Drama Project” by French teacher and Drama legend Ed Gupton in 1970. He was the Director of the Drama Project until 2003. In 1993, he named Reed Gabhart as Associate Director, and the two collaborated until Ed named Reed as his successor in 2003. These two Directors have led the Goshen Campus program for over 50 years. Under Reed’s leadership, the School began to enter its productions in the National Youth Arts Awards, in which it has achieved great success and consistent recognition. Reed also took over leadership of the High School Drama Program in 2020-21, bringing consistent leadership and the same outstanding quality to the entire Middle and High School program.
In 2022, with the School’s name change, the program, too, transformed into Francis Parker Theater Arts. The goal of Francis Parker Theater Arts in Middle School is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in adult productions of works of depth from the past and present. Thought is given to the four-year cycle of works so that Middle School participants will have the opportunity to experience comedies, dramas, musicals, and the classics, such as Shakespeare. Students are expected to rise to the challenge and take part in every aspect of theater: acting, directing, stagecraft, set and lighting design.
Exposing musical plays to younger students allows them to try musical theater for the first time, while working together with their classmates to do a large-scale production. All of this is achieved during the school day as part of the music curriculum rather than as an extracurricular activity. Participating in the 3rd/4th grade play gives students a chance to collaborate with their peers while reinforcing concepts in the music room, and also enhancing their public speaking skills. This show is aimed primarily at 4th graders and interested 3rd graders may be in the chorus. These productions are headed up by Francis Parker Lower School music teacher, Kim Rash. Recent shows have included Frozen KIds, Seussical Jr., Peter Pan, Jr., Lion King Kids, The Jungle Book Jr., and Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.
The Improv Troupe, the Francis Parker Varsity Football Team, was founded in 2012 and practiced and performed regularly in the city and at the High School. It went on hiatus for a while but was re-introduced in 2022, and is currently under the helm of Francis Parker Theater Arts Assistant Director, Parker Neff. Students work together to create the structure of their performances, incorporating short- and long-form improv with dynamic comedy exercises. The Troupe performed to the crowd’s delight in the Showcase of Student Written and Directed plays in the Fall of 2024, and will do so again this year. They hope to branch out into the community this school year as well!
Summer Musical Theater Camp is part of the Summer Camp program on the Goshen Campus each year. It is a two-week intensive program that allows participants to bring-to-life a one-hour musical production, and gives them the opportunity to work backstage, paint, help design costumes, as well as hone their craft in acting. Recently, the Camps have incorporated alums of the Francis Parker Theater Arts program who are pursuing degrees in the arts to serve as interns in an Assistant Director and/or Choreographer role. These productions are headed up by Francis Parker Lower School music teacher, Kim Rash. Recent shows have included Annie Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., Into The Woods Jr., Footloose, Jr, Aladdin Jr., The Little Mermaid, Jr., Hairspray, Jr., High School Musical, Jr., Legally Blonde Jr, Matilda Jr,. Mean Girls, Jr. and Beetlejuice, Jr.
Beginning in 2012, Reed Gabhart began and directed a new tradition: a biennial summer Alumni production, which allows anyone who attended through 8th grade on our Goshen Campus, or anyone who is a current student or alum of our high school or to participate. This allows serious high school and college drama students to reunite and put together challenging productions during the summer, with some college students taking on production and assistant directing roles. These productions have been staged in Baron’s Theater in Whisky Row Lofts in Downtown Louisville and on our Goshen stage.
Alumni Productions:
- 2023: Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling
- 2022: The Sunshine Boys, by Neil Simon
- 2018: Getting Out, by Marsha Norman
- 2016: The Breakfast Club, by John Cheever
- 2014: Almost, Maine, by John Cariani
- 2012: Godspell, by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz
High School students also have the opportunity to take a Playwriting class for credit (¼ credit per year, or a full credit if they take it all four years) during Projects. Students in the Playwriting class submit their work for production in The Showcase of Student-Written and -Directed Plays, so students in this class often get to see their work produced. They are also encouraged to submit their work to the Actors Theatre New Voices Playwriting Competition. We have had student works selected for production in that festival, as well as several students receiving honorable mentions.
Playwriting is taught by Theater Arts Assistant Director, Parker Neff, and questions may be directed to him at pneff@francisparkerlouisville.org.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the annual English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Competition. Interested students memorize a monologue and compete at the school level, with one winner moving on to the regional level with a chance to advance to state and national competitions. This competition is led by the high school English department.
