The buzz in Middle School drama seems to be contagious—bringing the Sidwell community together to celebrate the “art of the imagination.” 

Quentin Madia knows this much about middle school theater: it has to be cool. Madia, who grew up in New Jersey doing community and school shows and who joined Sidwell Friends as the Middle School drama teacher in 2024, explains that “cool” can apply to a lot in theater—acting out a battle on stage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, helping to design and make costumes, or learning to safely wield power tools to help construct a set. “Mostly, I think, the cool factor is about teamwork and community, about working together and supporting each other in class and during the long, complex, and exciting process of putting on a show,” he says. “I always tell my students, If you’re going to do a show, DO a show!”

Middle School is a great age for kids to explore new interests, take risks, and build confidence, says Madia. “It’s academically rigorous here at Sidwell; the arts should be, too. Theater stretches the creative brain, which helps students develop crucial life skills like dedication, team work, responsibility, problem solving, and a work ethic. If you don’t encourage kids to embrace challenges and opportunities, you’ll never know what they’re capable of. When kids feel heard, they get excited, they ask questions, they get motivated—and the joy flows from there.”

“I have been an actor in four of the Middle School performances since Mr. Q joined Sidwell. It is the most inclusive and supportive environment in which I have ever worked, and I have made many incredible friends through the theater program. Mr. Q pushes us to do hard choreography and treats us as valued members of the creative team, which gives us enormous purpose and excitement.” josie scanlon '30

Part of the cool factor also involves ownership. “When the kids see me and other adults get really into what we’re doing, they start to catch the bug,” says Madia who has a posse of dedicated helpers for the fall and spring shows including Admissions Office Manager Tannie Rey Zapata and Assistant Director, Auxiliary Programs Cate Woodward who help in myriad ways from creating props to working on ticketing, and Amal Charara, Middle School librarian, who designs the shows’ posters. “With each show, more staff and students seem to get involved, which brings an energy of excitement to the whole division.”

Much of what is showcased in the fall and spring performances begins in the classroom. In a 6th grade class, students might practice and present monologues in front of their peers or build and perform with puppets. A 7th grade class might focus on Quaker values through collaborative theater games or writing mini scripts based on interviews with family members. An 8th grade class might involve writing sketch comedy for a “Sidwell Night Live” performance or learning how the set, lights, sound, and costumes can deepen the emotional tone of a play.

“I am an actor, and I always appreciate how much Mr. Q helps everyone in the shows, as well as how much thought and effort he puts into the sets and casting assignments. Some of my favorite memories from the shows I’ve been in have been the moments right before the shows when there is a nervous tension in the air, but everyone is very excited and going through the same things together.” james plasky '30

This year’s spring musical, Shrek—a rollicking and laugh-out-loud good time—included two firsts: One, all 5th graders who auditioned were included as part of an ensemble, something made possible because the show was back in the bigger Caplin Theater, and two, the entire Lower School traveled to the DC campus for a special performance.

As more kids—and adults—realize how creative, collaborative, and yes, cool, Middle School theater can be, Madia continues to set his sights high. “Maybe a flying show next year? Think Mary Poppins floating down to the stage with umbrella and carpet bag in hand …”