In the spring of 2025, Portledge will perform Sister Act: The Musical. The show is a joyful celebration of music, faith, and friendship. It tells the story of aspiring pop-singer, turned nun Deloris Van Cartier, accompanied by a soulful soundtrack and a colorful cast of characters. 

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Deloris Van Cartier is a nightclub singer who witnesses a crime and is hidden at a convent for her safety. Although her rebellious and charismatic personality clashes with the convent's strict rules, she later inspires and helps the nuns find their confidence and become a talented gospel choir. 

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A talented cast of Portledge students will bring this story to life, starring Josephine Jean-Paul as Deloris, Chloe Fuller as Sister Mary Patrick, Autumn Glass as Sister Mary Roberts, and a talented ensemble of nuns. 

 

The Process of Picking a Musical for Portledge:

The summer before the school year begins, and even the year before, Dula and Courtney are already planning the shows they will be doing the following year. They both start by considering the people they know will be auditioning for the shows, which helps narrow down shows based on the size of the cast and how many male or female roles. They also consider the space available for the shows, which is the black box theatre in the commons. This space is smaller, meaning it can’t fit larger set pieces or props backstage, so the show they choose will generally need more straightforward sets. On the other hand, the more intimate space allows audience members to see each actor's expressions and subtle choices, creating a deeper connection between the viewer and the performer. 

 

With these aspects in mind, they start looking at shows that fit. In their collection or from a local library, they start picking up plays and reading them, seeing which one they are most drawn to. They also watch other high school productions of each show to continue to narrow down. Dula said that when watching these performances, he looks most at which show the kids on stage are enjoying the most and gravitates towards that. He wants to create a show that kids have fun doing and focus more on the process rather than only stressing about the product. When the performers in a show are excited about what they’re doing, the audience will feel the same. 

 

Sister Act is a musical that heavily focuses on community, which the theatre department prides itself on. The cast members' connections with each other will bring to life this story of sisterhood and self-discovery. Send some love to our cast and join us in the black box for Sister Act in the spring!