Principia’s Upper School students have poured countless hours of creativity, commitment, collaboration, and yes, heart, into crafting a performance that promised to transport the audience across time and space. Bringing a fantastical production of A Wrinkle in Time to life in front of a packed house at Ridgway Auditorium is no small feat. Lights, movement, sound, and artistry must align. There are scripts to memorize, harmonies to perfect, and lighting that must be flawless. That’s where the true magic happens—behind the scenes.
Under the inspired direction of Theater Arts Teacher Avery Lux, this fall’s production was more than a play—it’s a celebration of imagination, ingenuity, and teamwork. The students’ focus, commitment, and of course, three-hour rehearsals during the evenings and weekends, led to a groundswell of creativity and collaboration and new and creative ways to bring the play to life.
Complexities such as fine-tuning the creative flow between scenes with musical transitions presented a challenge. Enter senior flutist Libby, who stepped in to compose entirely original music—crafting transitional pieces and melodies that elevated the story’s emotional moments. Fellow student Chloe joined her on cello, performing live during the production. “It’s really magical to see how their original compositions have transformed the tone of the play,” Lux shared.
Backstage, a crew of students worked with precision and speed, coordinating props, costume changes, and set transitions with seamless timing. Meanwhile, the production’s student sound designer, Gabriel, crafted professional-quality sound cues to enhance the ethereal nature of the play—blending technical skill with student-driven creativity.
To enhance marketing, junior Mina, brought the excitement online, creating trailers, cast spotlights, and rehearsal previews for the Theatre Arts Instagram page.
Adding another layer of collaboration, peers from Principia College’s theatre program partnered with the Upper School team to design and build the intricate sets and props—blending ingenuity across the schools in a true community effort.
Lux acknowledges that this ensemble-style show has required an extraordinary level of timing and collaboration. “Because almost everyone is on stage together throughout the play, the cast has learned to move, breathe, and think as one,” she said. “They’ve had to work through disagreements, adapt to last-minute changes, and trust one another—skills that will serve them well far beyond the stage.”
Looking back on the experience, Lux hopes the students walk away with pride and gratitude. “They’ve put in countless hours and so much heart,” she said. “I hope they feel proud of what they’ve created—and recognize the magic that happens when creativity, confidence, and collaboration come together.”