Written by Mia Herz

On Wednesday, January 15, the Drama and Dance students got the unique opportunity to travel to New York City and attend a Broadway performance. This year, the students were able to see Maybe Happy Ending, a performance set in the future in Seoul, Korea. The play follows outdated robots as they come to understand loneliness and strive for a connection in a futuristic world. 

Drama and Dance Department Chair Ms. Henerey recalls that this heartfelt tradition has been here at RCDS as long as she can remember. She explains that the Drama and Dance department decided on Maybe Happy Ending due to its unique and unconventional performance. She recalls that last year the department saw & Juliet, “which was a much more traditional musical in structure, story, and design,” however each year she hopes to give the students a new theatrical experience. 

The department’s efforts pay off, as students are always eager to learn from live theater performances. Nick Arakas ‘25 explains that he always looks “forward to this trip—it’s such a great experience and always gets me excited about theater.” As Arakas is starring in the RCDS winter musical, Head over Heels, he hopes to “bring that same energy to our school and really work on making my character stand out.”

Not only did Arakas learn a lot from this trip, but Upper School Drama Teacher, Mr. Hogan also wants to apply this experience to his teaching and the musical at RCDS. He highlights the importance of taking students to see theatre on a professional scale and especially “in the heart of what many consider one of the primary theatre capitals in the world.” There are always lessons to learn from live theatre, whether it impacts a person on a personal level, or inspires them as an artist. Mr. Hogan explains that “when students can feel the impact of live storytelling as audience members, it refines and refocuses their understanding as artists and learners. Again, it goes back to the why–why do we tell stories, why do we choose to partake in this craft, why is the theatre necessary for society and culture?”

Maybe Happy Ending was a phenomenal choice as students and teachers alike marveled at the show. Arakas absolutely loved the music—explaining how every song added so much to the story–and on a personal level, he took away that “love and relationships aren’t simple; they’re way more layered and complex than they seem.” Ms. Henerey also was inspired by the show’s innovative technical aspects such as the use of projections and holograms. Although RCDS does not have the capacity to do that, she notes that “it’s really fun to see how theater is always reinventing the wheel. It inspires us to look at our own shows differently and try new things.” As students and teachers reminisce over this awe-inspiring experience, they are excited to apply their newfound knowledge to better themselves in class and rehearsal. With Head Over Heels opening on Friday, February 21, be sure to come out to support your fellow actors and watch them strive onstage!