The Class Play

A proud bow from 6th grade after their final class play performance.

Theater awakens both individuality and community. In Waldorf schools, the class play is a rite of passage for students and teachers. Everyone comes through the experience changed, with a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other and a new awareness of their own challenges and gifts. A kind of alchemy takes place during the play block: a burning away of baser materials and a forging of something new. The play is less about the polished performance and more about the process of creating opportunities for artistic expression, presence, imagination, and collaboration.

Beautiful set design and costuming is a community effort for the 5th grade play.

At Gathering Waters, the class play is embraced as a threshold experience, unifying and solidifying the group. Whether acting in a scene, making props, or designing the set, trust and communication are essential. Students learn to support one another, and in doing so, gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other, along with a new awareness of their own challenges and gifts. The play also cultivates imagination; actors and crew must envision the life of the play and remain truly present in the moment. In the end, every class emerges transformed, with renewed confidence and connection.

Our first graduating class performing the comedy Hotel Roach at MoCo Arts theater.

Engaging in drama also nurtures empathy, one of the core values in Waldorf education. Embodying a character's feelings helps students connect with other perspectives, both on stage and in daily life. Whether it’s understanding a classmate’s hurt feelings, considering a parent’s opinion, or appreciating the perspective of a person with whom you disagree, drama supports students as they expand their capacity for others.

– Jess Cohen, High School Humanities