On April 9, St. Thomas Aquinas High School proudly welcomed Broadway star Kerry Butler for an unforgettable day of learning, performance, and inspiration. Known for her roles in
Beetlejuice,
Hairspray, and
Disaster! The Musical, and more, Butler led a Theater Masterclass for middle school students from Diocesan grammar schools St. Thomas the Apostle School, Holy Savior Academy, Saint Helena School, St. Bartholomew School, St. John Vianney School, and Assumption Catholic School.
Participants workshopped scenes from their upcoming productions, receiving professional-level feedback from Butler in a nurturing and energetic environment. Students and staff then joined in a Q&A session where Butler shared stories from her career, insight into the theater industry, and words of encouragement for young performers.
The day culminated in a sneak preview of STA’s upcoming spring musical,
Disaster!, which Kerry Butler herself originally starred in on Broadway. After the performance, she remarked, "That was amazing! It really made me feel like I was watching the Broadway show!"
“I was so excited for the chance to workshop select numbers from our production of Disaster! with Kerry Butler!” said STA senior and lead actress Elizabeth Bera. “It was such a great opportunity, especially since we get to share our hard work with a Broadway star. I’ve looked up to her for so long and it was so great to meet and collaborate with her right here, at STA!”
Principal Harry Ziegler, welcoming the students to STA, said, "This is just one example of the unique learning and artistic experiences that we offer our students here at STA. If you are interested in the performing arts, there's no better high school for you."
This one-of-a-kind event is part of STA’s ongoing mission to provide students with transformative, real-world learning experiences. At STA, we believe in igniting passion, encouraging excellence, and reminding every student that their creative gifts are worthy of the spotlight.
Learn more about the outstanding performing arts programs at STA and our mission to welcome performers of all skill levels on our
Performing Arts page.