Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

Dream. Create. Experience.

The Theatre Department at Hamden Hall is dedicated to the process of creating dynamic theatre. Focusing on essentials, students will learn the art of theatre including character development, blocking, set design, choreography, costuming, direction, scene work, and rehearsal techniques. The process is as much about learning about theatre as it is developing life skills. Students from the Lower School right up through the Upper School will be challenged through classes and rehearsals to develop and refine skills such as collaboration, listening, healthy risk taking, sense of humor, empathy, problem solving, and perseverance to name a few. Hamden Hall takes pride in the importance of theatre education, and has a rigorous and inspiring program in place.

List of 3 items.

  • Upper School

    There are three major productions each year for students in grades 9-12: a play in the fall, a musical in the winter, and in the spring we produce MayFest- a multiday festival that includes class final presentations, student directed one-acts, student art shows, and live music. These productions are extra-curricular and all students are invited to audition. The rehearsals are on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Thursday afternoon, and Saturday. Our staff consists of theatre professionals with a wide range of abilities in Musical Theatre, Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Playwriting, and movie making. A professional technical director is on staff supervising all set construction, lighting, etc. as relates to productions. He supervises crew sessions two nights a week during which students are taught to safely handle power tools, painting and construction techniques, and lighting. 
  • Middle School

    There are two major productions for students in grades 7 and 8: a musical in the fall and a play in the spring. All MS students are invited to audition, and the rehearsals are held after school from 3-5:00 p.m. on Mon., Tues., Wed., and Fri. The Middle School theatre curriculum is rooted in performance basics and seeks to give students a positive introduction to working on the stage.
  • Lower School

    For twenty years, as part of the Sixth Grade music program, a musical has been presented in April involving the entire sixth grade.  Auditions and learning the music take place during class time starting in January.  The month of April is devoted to getting the production together.  A rigorous schedule of daily rehearsals, costume fittings, and set building produces a musical presented on two evenings for parents and others, followed by a reception for all involved and their families.
    • "High School Musical" 2020: "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"

Past Theatrical Performances

Mamma Mia 2024

Oh Kay! 2023

Beauty and the Beast 2022

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon 2021

Hamden Hall Country Day School

About Us

Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.