As the Hackley community strives to link its students in all grades, the Upper School drama program, led by Willie Teacher, has initiated a partnership with Middle School drama teacher Merideth Maddox’s acting students. Starting with the 2016-2017 school year, Upper School acting classes have periodically worked with the Middle Schoolers as their acting role models, helping expand their knowledge of the theater and practice their writing and performing skills.

A recent project created through this partnership was the writing and editing of scripts written by the Middle School acting minor classes. After these students succeeded in writing their first drafts, Upper School students worked to produce final edited drafts. Once the Upper School actors finish preparing for and competing in the annual English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue Competition, they will return to the Middle School classes and perform the scripts written by the 7th graders.

The current activity being generated through this joint program is a mock audition. The acting minor class has organized this project to include both their peers and the Upper School acting students. These Middle Schoolers have selected sections of many plays to be read in the audition, simulating an extremely professional and life-like atmosphere throughout the entirety of the auditioning process.

Upper School actor, Madeline Zuckerman, reflects on her experience auditioning stating, “Going back to visit the Middle School acting class was such a memorable experience. I was reminded of all the good times I had learning from Mrs. Maddox and Mr. Teacher. It’s great to be able to help and participate with younger students while doing an activity we all love.”This feeling of nostalgia and pride resonates heavily within all of the Upper School students as they are able to continue their relationships with beloved teachers and help craft a new class of actors.

This exchange uses Hackley students’ passion to further improve their knowledge, while simultaneously creating alliances. Both the Middle and Upper School acting teachers hope that other departments follow this initiative of connecting students in different divisions.