From Stage to Field: TAS Upper School Kicks Off a Season of Opportunities

The Upper School came alive this week as students leapt into auditions, tryouts, and activities that marked the beginning of a new school year. From the stage to the playing fields to the Club Fair booths, every corner of campus reflected TAS’s mission to nurture lifelong learning. Creativity, community, and care for well-being were on full display as students explored opportunities to discover their passions, test their skills, and step into roles that will help them grow as critical and creative thinkers, collaborative communicators, and well-balanced individuals. 

Upper School Musical Auditions 
The Upper School Performing Arts Department is excited to bring Legally Blonde to the Guy Lott Jr. Auditorium this fall. In this energetic, foot-stomping musical, audiences will join Elle Woods on a journey through unrequited love, challenges, and courtroom triumphs. 

Auditions were held last Monday, with more than 40 students stepping up for both dance and vocal tryouts. While casting required tough decisions, every student who auditioned secured a role, reflecting the production’s spirit that “there are no small roles, only small actors.” From singing and choreography to acting and stage work, this “mammoth show” will push students to grow in confidence and collaboration, while strengthening their creative expression. The cast is already looking ahead with excitement to opening night, scheduled for October 30. Three nights of shows will run through November 1. 

Upper School Dance Auditions 
The Dance production also began with 47 students from Grades 9–12 auditioning for the annual showcase. The season will feature work from guest choreographers Baden Hitchcock and Aili Mok, alongside directors and choreographers Kendra Ing and faculty leadership. 

This year’s production is a fully devised work that threads together folk tales and nursery rhymes through the story of the Wolf, asking whether he might have been misunderstood. While the show begins with darker themes, lighthearted and comedic moments will balance the narrative. Many students are also cast in Legally Blonde, making this a busy but rewarding season of rehearsals. Looking ahead, TAS will host the IASAS Dance Invitational from September 19 to September 21, welcoming dancers from all six schools to learn from guest artists, including New York–based hip hop choreographer Edson Maldonado. 

Season 1 Athletics Tryouts 
209 Upper School students laced up their shoes and stepped onto courts and fields for Season 1 athletics tryouts. With 41 students in Boys Volleyball, 40 in Girls Volleyball, 32 in Boys Cross Country, 34 in Girls Cross Country, 44 in Boys Soccer, and 18 in Girls Soccer, the energy in both TAS’s indoor and outdoor sport facilities was electric. 

Coaches were not only evaluating athletic skills but also looking for qualities that define successful student-athletes: coachability, positive attitudes, enthusiasm, and the willingness to try new approaches without fear of failure. Beyond physical performance, participation in team sports helps students develop resilience, teamwork, and leadership. By working with new teammates, learning to resolve differences, and handling disappointments, athletes embody what it means to well-balanced individuals who are committed to character and personal well-being. 

Upper School Club Fair 
The week ended with one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Upper School Club Fair. Nearly 100 clubs (98 in total) filled the courtyard with energy as student leaders recruited new members and shared their passions. The fair featured a dynamic mix of interest-based groups, such as Intramural Sports and Biffle ball, alongside service-oriented organizations like Orphanage Club and Lace the Love. 

This year marked the earliest date the Club Fair has ever been held, and the turnout was exceptional. For new students, the fair was a window into all TAS has to offer; for returning students, it was a chance to dive back into the activities that bring the community together. Exciting new clubs, including Books Beyond Bars, the Science of Food Club, the Cheerleader Club, and the Traditional Tea Club, joined the long list of opportunities for students to pursue their interests. 

Beyond building friendships and discovering hobbies, the Club Fair is also a training ground for leadership and responsibility. By organizing events, collaborating with community partners, and planning service projects, students practice being courageous, responsible leaders who make a positive impact on others. 

In just one week, TAS Upper School students have already demonstrated the power of embracing opportunity. On stage, on the dance floor, in athletic competitions, and through clubs, students are developing skills that will last a lifetime. Each experience reflects the TAS mission: to cultivate learning, well-being, and service while preparing students to create a better world. As this year begins, one thing is clear, our students are already stepping into their roles as compassionate, capable, and globally minded contributors.