Recently, Head of School, Mr. Rich Schellhas, announced GA’s Inaugural Performing Arts Showcase, a competition designed to celebrate talent across different artistic disciplines. Unlike typical recitals or concerts, this showcase has a competitive element. Performances were evaluated by a panel of GA alumni, and the top three acts earned a range of prize money for a scholarship at GA.
This event not only highlighted talent but also creativity, stage presence and originality. Upper School students were invited to audition in order to create a lineup with a wide variety of talent in the performing arts. Whether through music, singing, monologues, or other forms of entertainment, the competition allowed students to present their passions outside of the classroom to peers and faculty.
“The inaugural performance art showcase is an opportunity for GA to highlight the extraordinary talents of our students that we might not get to see on a stage otherwise,” Mr. Schellhas said. “It is meant to show not just ensemble performances or musical theater or play productions, but really the work that our students do to develop their talents in many cases outside the classroom.”
Mr. Paul Moffit, All-School Technical Director and Production Manager, played a key role in the showcase. He served as one of the coaches available for the auditionees to have.
“We want to highlight and make the arts more visible on GA’s stage and around campus,” Mr. Moffit said. “By getting on that stage, it is a way of instilling in you lifelong lessons that will make you successful for the rest of your life.”
Rather than being judged by people the students know, participants received feedback from former GA students who may have once been involved in the arts program themselves. These connections between current students and alumni reinforced the broader GA community, while also giving performers a more authentic audience experience. Additionally, this ensured the fairness and professionalism of the advice and judgment given to the auditioning students.
“I like singing with my friends, so when we are up on stage in front of everyone, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the memories you make,” Sabah Furniturewala ‘29 said.
The addition of prize money also raised the stakes. While the financial reward might motivate some, other participants were excited to be a part of something new and showcase their hard work through an art form they are passionate about.
The podium winners for this year were Eliza Yu ‘28 who won $1,000, Anaya Chambliss ‘28 who won $500 and Alicia Shen ‘29 who won $250. The rest of the finalists earned a total of $100 each.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to perform for the school and show something that not everyone knows I can do,” Eliza Yu ‘28 said.
Faculty members involved in organizing this event hoped that it would become an annual tradition. Beyond the competition itself, it connected former students, allowing the representation of hobbies and passions usually practiced outside of school. It created a shared space for students to take creative risks and celebrate the arts together. In a school environment centered around academics and athletics, the showcase allowed performers to receive recognition for their artistic achievements.