Mary Poppins JR. Celebrates Student Creativity, Collaboration, and Community at TAS

As the finale musical production of the school year, Mary Poppins JR. brought the TAS community together for a weekend filled with music, laughter, energy, and an impressive showcase of student collaboration. 

Presented May 15-17 in the Guy Lott Jr. Auditorium, the Middle School production featured more than 150 students working both onstage and behind the scenes. From performers to stage crew, lighting, sound, costumes, and backstage operations, students played an active role in nearly every aspect of the production. 

Following last year’s Newsies JR., the Middle School drama department intentionally selected a very different style of musical this season. With its humor, imagination, memorable musical numbers, and larger-than-life characters, Mary Poppins JR. offered students opportunities to explore a new style of storytelling and performance. 

For Dr. Georgina Christou, the choice also reflected the department’s long-term approach to Middle School theater education. Because many students remain involved in productions across all three years of Middle School, the program intentionally exposes them to contrasting styles of performance. After the grounded realism and emotional intensity of Newsies JR., Mary Poppins JR. gave students the opportunity to step into something more fantastical while also offering the TAS community a broader range of theatrical experiences throughout the year. 

What audiences experienced on stage was the result of months of preparation that began with auditions in January. Throughout the semester, students balanced rehearsals, vocal work, choreography, technical preparation, and scene work while also managing the rhythm of everyday school life.  

The scale of the production also relied heavily on the work happening behind the scenes. Student stage crew members managed set transitions, props, lighting cues, costumes, and backstage coordination throughout each performance, helping the production run smoothly from beginning to end. 

This year’s production also reflected a thoughtful approach to resourcefulness and sustainability. Rather than building every set piece from scratch, the technical theater team creatively reimagined materials and scenery from earlier TAS Upper School productions, including Legally Blonde, Puffs, and Twelfth Night. The production also incorporated elements originally built for a planned Middle School staging of Mary Poppins JR. that was ultimately cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing pieces that had been kept in storage to finally appear on stage.  

Behind the scenes, Upper School stage managers worked closely with Middle School students through set changes, backstage coordination, and technical transitions, while younger crew members contributed original elements of their own, including the handmade kites and chimney sweep props featured throughout the show.  

“The Middle School students brought an incredible level of passion to technical theater this year,” said Dr. Held, noting that the production ultimately became “one of the most dynamic and ambitious sets seen in a TAS Middle School musical.” 

By combining recycled scenic elements with newly crafted student work, the production created an environment that felt both imaginative and deeply collaborative. 

Beyond the performances themselves, the production highlighted the strong sense of collaboration that defines performing arts at TAS. Upper School students returned to support Middle School performers and crew members throughout the rehearsal and production process, helping younger students navigate the demands and excitement of live theater. 

“One of the important elements of the Middle School musical is having so many Upper School students who we taught, and who participated in the Middle School musical themselves, continue to stay involved,” said Dr. Christou.  

Their return each year creates a sense of continuity between divisions, with former Middle School performers stepping back into the program as mentors, stage managers, and technical leaders. “We really value the relationships that continue with these students in addition to the Middle School students. It creates such a special community,” added Dr. Christou. 

More than just a musical performance, Mary Poppins JR. served as a celebration of the people, teamwork, creativity, and shared experiences that make performing arts such an important part of the TAS community.