The power of theatre lies not just in performances, but in the threads that weave students, educators, and their work together. As theatre programs around the country focus on elevating their impact, the Premier Communities for Theatre Education distinction aims to recognize and celebrate their work.
At Grand Rapids Christian High School, theatre director Kate Mellitz has spent the past three years transforming the theatre program, expanding curriculum and fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment where students explore and express themselves.
EdTA chatted with her to learn more about the program, how it’s shifted over the years, and the impact of the Premier Communities distinction.
Rebuilding a Theatre Curriculum
Grand Rapids Christian Schools is a series of five schools educating over 2,300 students ranging from 18 months to 12th grade. Since starting, Mellitz has spent each year focusing her efforts on rebuilding and expanding the program—from curriculum to culture —a critical requirement for the Premier Communities distinction.
“Year one was just a whirlwind of finding hope, finding community, and showing that theatre should be a refuge and strength, a place where every student from any walk of life within our schools feels comfortable,” Mellitz said.
By year two, her goals expanded: “How can I improve that educational experience? What classes do I need to develop to ensure students leave with a well-rounded theatre education?” Today, the program now has three dedicated theatre classes with another, Intro to Theatre Arts, set to be added next year. “Putting on a great show was only part of the goal,” she said. “Unless you understand every aspect of it, you’re only getting half of the education you should get.”
Now in year three, Mellitz has aligned her curriculum to educational theatre standards and redid her certification in Michigan to bring them to where they are today, fostering “an open, welcoming, supportive community where we can all tell really good stories and make an impact.”
Creating Community & A Thespian Pipeline
Of course, updating the curriculum is only part of the puzzle. It’s also been a matter of gaining support and visibility — and earning the Premier Communities distinction was a way to validate her efforts. “[Theatre] Education is who I am, it’s what I love…and I want that for all our students,” she said. “That takes resources, funding, and support.”
Mellitz is leveraging the family of schools to fuel that community expansion, creating opportunities for elementary and middle school Thespians. Last year, for their 100th anniversary, their production of Mary Poppins included students from all five schools.
“We obviously can’t do that big of a show every year, but the connections are ready. When I drop my daughter off at the [elementary] school, those students find me in the hallway and talk about what an amazing experience it was, and I want to keep building on that,” Mellitz said.
As of now, their K-8 schools only have extracurricular programs, something that could evolve as the need and want for theatre grows. “My hope is to spread that love and connection with our middle school and elementary students,” she said. “So whether you walk in first grade or 12th grade, you feel that connection between all of our schools and that awesome program and experience.”
Connecting Theatre to Mission
Beyond curriculum, Mellitz’s work on the theatre program and the preparation for the Premiere Communities application has also offered an opportunity to draw the connection between the work on stage and the schools’ mission.
“We’re doing Big Fish right now, and for me, the relationship between Edward and Will reflects the struggle every theater kid has with family members who don’t quite understand or who see theater as less than the rich experience it can be,” she said. “So, how can we use our voice to bring that into the community? Through our show choices, our efforts to educate, and by telling stories that aren’t necessarily biblical but still convey God’s love and meaning.”
It’s a goal that continues to influence the work she’s doing throughout the schools and as an advocate for the program’s achievements. As for fellow educators considering applying for recognition, Mellitz offers simple yet powerful advice: “Don’t sell yourself short. If you can see it making an impact for your students, go for it. It’s worth all the time and effort if it can bring focus and provide opportunities that maybe you don’t even know about yet.”
