Middle School Debuts “Raise Your Voice” With Broadway Favorites
Middle school students filled the Performing Arts Center with music and dance on Friday, November 7, as they took the stage for the debut of “Raise Your Voice,” a lively revue of Broadway favorites. The show featured selections from Broadway shows, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Newsies,” “Peter Pan,” “Mary Poppins,” and “High School Musical,” inviting students to reflect on how performance can express character and storytelling in new ways.
Rather than presenting a single narrative, “Raise Your Voice” was built from scenes and musical numbers that allowed students to explore different performance approaches. Performing arts teacher and show director Amy Darnton noted that the revue format encourages students to discover their strengths.
“We focus on helping students grow as performers at the pace that feels right for them,” Darnton said. “Some students are drawn to singing, others to character work or movement. The structure of this show gives them room to experiment and find what they most enjoy.”
The rehearsal process was built around small-group work, with students rotating through vocal coaching, blocking, and choreography. This approach supported skill-building while also helping students take ownership of their scenes.
“The most valuable moments are when students realize they can do something they were hesitant about at the start,” Darnton said. “You can see that shift happen. Their posture changes. Their voice strengthens. They begin to trust their own abilities.”
Older cast members also supported younger performers, helping them navigate stage direction, timing, and the demands of performance week.
“Being part of a cast teaches students how to listen, respond, and work together,” Darnton said. “Those habits show up on stage and carry over beyond the theater.”
For Ava Major ’32, the experience was transformative.
“This was my first show at King, and it was an amazing experience,” Ava said. “It helped my confidence grow, and I made so many new friends. My favorite part was being able to perform without feeling judged. Now the cast is more than friends, we’re like one big family.”
Romany Shoemaker ’31 shared similar thoughts on the cast’s camaraderie, while highlighting how the revue format offered a new challenge and meaningful growth.
“Performing songs and scenes from a variety of different musicals was more challenging than having one assigned character, because I had to form the character’s personality and make it my own,” Romany said. “I really enjoyed it because I got to be many personalities, which gave me more opportunities to grow as an actor.”
The experience also gave Romany the chance to take on a leadership role.
“It was my first time being in a cast with younger people,” she said. “It was a great experience because I felt I got to take on a mentor role, and I created great relationships with the grade below me.”
When the curtain rose on opening night, students delivered original choreography that reflected the careful considerations they had made in developing their characters. For Darnton, this demonstrated the growth students achieved in the making of the show.
“The goal is to help students discover their voice and feel proud of what they have created together. With this show, the students did exactly that,” she said.
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