A Peek Behind the Curtain-The 25-26 Hook Theatre Performance Season

It is time to get excited! Led by our newly named Director of Theatre, Gabby Willingham Morris (SAA ’15), the upcoming Hook Theatre performance season is going to celebrate the creativity and talent of our incredible student performers, designers, and crew!

When asked about embracing her new role, Mrs. Morris shared, “I am extremely grateful to take on the role as Director of Theatre at SAA-SDS. The theatre gave me a place of community and joy as a student at SAA, and my main hope is to give that feeling to the students that walk in the Hook Theatre this fall. I want every student to know that the theatre is their home away from home.”

She continued, “My goal is to remind every student that gets on the stage that he or she is meant to be there. I want our actors and actresses of all ages to find safety on the stage, so they never have stage fright.”

Mrs. Morris has a diverse lineup of shows planned for the season, to include three Upper School performances and one Lower School performance. There's something for everyone!

The Hook Theatre season kicks off in October with Cobweb Dreams. This play is a comedic retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream The story is told from the perspective of Cobweb, one of Queen Titania's fairies.

“For the first show, Cobweb Dreams, we had a great amount of interest at auditions, Mrs. Morris shared. “I needed a total of 20 in the cast, and we exceeded that amount at auditions, which was a blessing. This show will test out how creative and whimsical the students can be, and I cannot wait for audiences to see it!”

The second show, The Butler Did It, is a murder mystery that takes place in London, England. Full of outrageous twists and eccentric characters-this is one you do not want to miss!  In January, you will have a chance to see everyone’s favorite green ogre in Shrek the Musical, a Broadway musical adaptation of the hit movie Shrek!

For the spring Lower School musical, Bye Bye Birdie, Mrs. Chiquita Paulson, grades 4-8 Performing Arts teacher will be partnering with the Upper School Drama Department. Bye Bye Birdie is a musical satire of 1950s culture, focusing on a rock and roll teen idol, Conrad Birdie.

Mrs. Paulson shared, “Mrs. Morris, who is well known to the students through her summer theatre program, and I will join forces to produce this musical. Bye Bye Birdie is a rollicking musical, so we are looking forward to a high-energy, fun-filled show!”

In the future, Mrs. Morris also plans to build on the theatre's legacy of community outreach started by our former Director, Ann Neal. “I want to promote community outreach in our Theatre Department and take our shows on the road for people who are unable to attend. I hope to make connections with soup kitchens, retirement homes and other schools in Memphis by sharing the love of the arts with them,” she explained.

So, mark your calendars and get ready to join us for a season of unforgettable theatre at SAA-SDS. We guarantee that this lineup of shows will make you laugh, cry, and cheer in your seat!