Miscoe Hill students tell school committee drama club builds confidence and collaboration

At its meeting, the Mendon‑Upton Regional School District School Committee heard from a group of fifth- through eighth-grade students from the Miscoe Hill drama club who described how the program supports learning, social connection and confidence.

"We really, like, come together as a community," a Student, identified as a member of the Miscoe Hill Drama Club, told the committee. "We just build so many good friendships, and I'm all just, like, a really good production." Another student said being in drama helped with "public speaking" and "memorizing things," adding the experience has helped some students consider theater as a career path.

Students described both onstage and backstage roles: learning lines, moving props and helping one another with costumes and cues. "Backstage is really fun because, like, when we're not on, the stage crew goes on and they work together to, like, move around the props," a Student said. Several students emphasized that drama club is a welcoming environment where members "can be yourself" and "find a community that you really, like, fit in with."

Miscoe Hill staff told the committee the club mounts three productions a year — a play, a musical and student-led acts — and brings curriculum and public-speaking practice into students' broader school experience. One staff presenter highlighted a recent example of a fifth grader who overcame stage fright and earned a speaking role.

Students invited committee members and the public to an upcoming November performance at the school; the meeting record did not specify a date or exact venue name for the event.

The student presentation occurred during the committee's public- or student-comment portion of the agenda and did not include any formal committee action or vote.