Winter Follies

Winter Follies at Wilkes-Barre Academy

Wilkes-Barre Academy has a thriving performing arts program. From as early as kindergarten, students are on stage, learning lines, songs and dance. WBA hosts the Winter Follies each January at the Misericordia University Lemmond Theatre.  On this particular weekend, where five different musicals are all presented with the use of professional technical support, lighting, micing and stage crew. Students learn much more than music, dance and theatre; self-expression and self-confidence are huge takeaways from this program. “If you can sing and dance in front of an audience, presenting or giving a speech is a walk in the park!”

Performances Kindergarten-8th Grade

Kindergarten has their own play; typically, a musical based on a beloved nursery rhyme.  Each student is assigned a specific role and is given lines, group sung songs and sometimes a vocal solo. The students love learning their part and performing for an audience!

First and second grade team up together to present a favorite Disney story. The second-grade students are the named characters and have lines and sometimes vocal solos to perform on top of the whole cast songs and dances throughout the play. The students learn so much from this experience and grow in self-confidence and thrive with working as a team.

Third and fourth grade are partnered together in presenting the movie-musical themed show each year. Although fourth grade students will have the named roles, third grade students are very much included. Presenting much more advanced choreography, longer show times and more difficult music makes this show each year stand out; this age group has so much energy and passion and it shows!

Fifth and Sixth grades present a two-act musical; recent shows include Beauty and the Beast, Rock Around the Block and Troy Story. Sixth grade students shine in the lead roles with the support of the fifth-grade ensemble. Students are taught dance by a professional choreographer during the rehearsal process, learn improvisation and character development through games and activities during the drama classes. Students thrive in confidence while having a fun and positive experience.

Seventh and eighth grade students present their “senior show” each year; a two-act accredited musical such as Legally Blonde Jr. and Adams Family. Both seventh and eighth grade students typically have named roles and work together in this advanced show with professional choreography, sets, costuming and theatrical lighting. Students expand their knowledge of improvisation and character development through games and activities during
the drama classes. Students thrive in confidence and truly excel in their production each year!