A multiple Tony-award-winning Broadway musical based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel of the same name, Matilda! combines the talented forces of Menlo’s Middle and Upper schools in one spectacular all-school show that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of an extraordinary girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Winter Play: 2022 Senior Play
A video retrospective and recorded live performance
Watch a tribute to Menlo Drama Seniors and their commitment to creativity during a global pandemic. Art has never been so important and we are honored to have worked alongside these creative forces for the last four years to produce one-of-a-kind moments onstage and off.
The American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) has selected Menlo Drama to perform four performances at the prestigious Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 30, 2022-August 12, 2022! Learn more.
Since March of 2020, we have produced theater in ways that we never dreamed of!
During the global pandemic, Menlo Drama found a way for our students to continue to present quality works while keeping the community safe. We hope our students are able to reflect and celebrate all they accomplished during an incredibly challenging time.
DRACULA
Menlo presented the national premiere of a high school production. Staged with large plexiglass shields and all kinds of outrageous sound effects, this outdoor socially distanced presentation blended radio theater with live theater!
This never-before-seen original piece—filmed on our new Spieker Center stage—is a rich tapestry of selections from some of history’s greatest plays. Envisioned in the style of Masterpiece Theatre, it includes works ranging from classical to contemporary.
We updated the script to bring it into the 21st century and staged it as a tribute to essential workers everywhere. It featured a live band and (a first on our stage), lip-synched ensemble vocals to keep masked students safe.
Menlo’s Drama Department strives to “Give Back” both on and off stage. Through donations during our productions, we encourage public support for both national and international programs benefitting people affected by health, wellness, and community issues Menlo Drama Gives Back has raised and distributed almost $50,000 to various charities globally.
The Working company chose to support Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Every dollar raised provides two meals to those struggling, including many essential workers. It’s free to watch the show, and viewers are encouraged to make a donation to Second Harvest Silicon Valley via this link.
Drama Courses
Drama
Discover your individual voice through this introductory course on the fundamental elements and process of theatre including history and design. Explore today’s theatre through improvisation, observation, and performance. Through theatre games and daily exercises, build confidence and an understanding of what your unique perspective can bring to any material. Voice and movement within units include musical theatre and scene work. By year’s end know the purpose of a scene, understand objective, character development, and have a solid overview of theatre from a performance and business point of view. Watch a video overview of this course here.
Musical Theater Workshop
A performance based course focused on the three essential elements of musical theatre- music, drama, and movement. We will perform scenes from musical theatre repertoire from the golden age to the present. Prior experience in vocal music, drama, and/or movement is encouraged.
Production - Page to Spieker Stage 1S and/or 2S
The first hands-on experience exploring and combining design, science, engineering, craftsmanship, art, and presentation inside the new Spieker Center for the Arts, this course is an opportunity to think big. It will cover digital theatrical LED lighting, live sound, production organization and management, set design, tools, construction, scenic painting, costume and prop design. Each student will be encouraged to find his/her own areas of interest. Learn how to safely use the diverse technology and tools of our new theater to take student projects from concept to completion. Students can also learn from working live events, concerts, dance, or theater. We will focus on collaboration, basic skill sets, and creativity. Watch a video overview of this course here.
About Menlo Drama
Menlo’s Upper School drama program includes courses in drama and musical theater in addition to producing full-length plays each fall, winter, and spring. Past productions have included Heathers, Twelfth Night, Cabaret, The Laramie Project, Fiddler on the Roof, The Miracle Worker, Urinetown, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Avenue Q.
Steven Minning
Steven Minning is the Creative Arts and Upper School Drama Director. He has worked as a director and choreographer in New York, and around the world. As an Associate Director he has staged the Broadway, National and International tours of Billy Elliot, The Lion King, Show Boat, The Will Rogers Follies, and Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion. He has directed and choreographed for major events such as State Farm National Agency Convention in Las Vegas, the Coca-Cola Olympic reception in Atlanta and the World Cup opening ceremonies. He teaches drama and musical Theatre.
