Students prop up 'Noises Off'

Did you know students build theater sets at USN?
By Jim Manning, Technical Theater Director, Arts Department Co-Chair

USN students stepped up in unprecedented ways for the High Schooll fall production of "Noises Off." High School Theater Director Lily Palmer had students eager to take on props (Henry Gatto '25, Holden Oliphant '23), costumes (Kari Belle King '24), assistant director and stage manager (MP King '22), and assistant stage manager (Daniel Stark '23). These students took on a lot of responsibilities that have been handled by adults in the past, and they rose to the challenge.  
 
Meanwhile, Technical Theater Director Jim Manning designed this show three times before, so he had his Technical Theater class design the set. This set was a doozy. It had eight doors, two stories, and the whole thing had to turn around backward. The class rose to the occasion and the build was aided by the Middle School Technical Theater classes.  
 
That was all well and good until Manning got COVID-19 and was quarantined at home for 10 days. Trying to give directions on how to build the set to substitute teachers became problematic. But several students in his HS Tech Theater class rose to the occasion. Seniors Lawson Berman '22 and Jonathan Nichols '22 not only led the HS class through the build but also came into school on their conference days to guide the MS classes through the build.  
 
Students took on many extra responsibilities, whether planned or unplanned. They proved their readiness time and again through their dependability, eagerness, and willingness to go the extra mile. "Noises Off" was a show within a show where everything is crashing down around the actors, but thanks to our USN students, that was not the case for this production.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Henry Knowles ’26 delivers the Commencement address on Sunday, May 17 on the Back Lawn.

    USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement

    Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.
    Read More
  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
Archive
USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.