The award winning Briarcest theatre program is designed to allow students to use their God given talents to glorify God through the performing arts.
The BCS theatre program is a comprehensive program offering theatre opportunities from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
Students at the elementary level can participate in the Fall Elementary Musical as well as singing or dance lessons through our Conservatory of Fine Arts program both during and after school.
Students at the middle school level can participate in the Middle School Drama Club and the annual Middle School Musical.
Students at the High School level can participate in Communication arts, Introduction to Theatre, Honors Acting, and Technical production classes. Additionally, any student can participate in the fall play or the spring musical with professional orchestra.
To round out the season, we dive into another story book classic. Our Elementary school will travel down the rabbit hole into the world of DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR. Join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures. The ever-curious Alice’s trek begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit, but her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, sings with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Featuring updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated motion picture, this musical is a fast-paced take on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.
Adapted from The Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. Come sit a spell under the old oak tree on the hill of Spoon River, Illinois and meet the former citizens of a speak from the grave of the day-to-day hopes and dreams of their lives. Touching, anguished, and contemptuous, their voices and stories weave together in this fresh new take on a modern American classic. You won't forget what you've heard from these distinctively small-town folk from a mythical Midwestern town as they evoke universal themes of hope, despair, and love.
February 18-19, 2021- 7;00 p.m. February 25-27, 2021 - 2:00 p.m.
In the winter, we arrive at our high school musical with a return to childhood! Inspired by the genius of Roald Dahl, this Tony Award-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and power. Her courage and cleverness could be everyone’s saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs, and an unforgettable characters, Matilda will thrill and delight children and adults alike. This unique high school musical runs Feb.18-20, and Feb. 25-27, 2021.
Once Upon A Mattress, Jr. November 20-21, 2020 - 7:00 PM
November 21, 2020 - 2:00 PM
Our Middle School will journey is a in a far-off place, many moons ago. In GETTING TO KNOW…ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Queen Aggravain and her son Prince Dauntless, look for a suitable bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious, romantic and melodic, this silly spin on the classic tale “The Princess and the Pea” provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing. The middle school musical runs November 20-21 of 2020.
Rachel King-Barr is the High School Theatre Director, at Briarcrest she directs fall plays, spring musicals and teaches Introduction to Theatre, Honors Acting, Speech Communication and Production Workshop at Briarcrest.
Mrs. King-Barr earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Central Arkansas and her Master’s of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing from The University of Memphis. She has taught previously at The University of Memphis and Crichton College. In addition, she served for two years as the Director of Education and Outreach for Germantown Community Theatre.
Mrs. King-Barr has experience directing, teaching, and ministering to students of all ages, having served as the Interim Youth Director at Woodland Presbyterian Church as well as the Director of Children’s Ministries at South Highland Presbyterian Church. Her directing credits include The Velveteen Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, James and the Giant Peach, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Far Away, The Legend of Lilith, and Eye of God, among many others. Her most recent Briarcrest productions include To Kill a Mockingbird and Mary Poppins. She also has adapted and co-written A Will Not His Own. Her professional experience extends to all aspects of the theatre, including scenic design, stage management, costume construction, and property design. She has also acted in dozens of plays for various companies.
In 2010, Mrs. King-Barr was recognized by The City of Germantown for “contributions to the theatrical arts and dedication to the youth of the community”. She has been an Ostrander Award nominee and adjudicator.
JENNIFER DOUGLAS, Director of Middle and Elementary School Theatre, is thrilled to be directing and choreographing at Briarcrest. She recently choreographed The Wizard of Oz Young Performers’ Edition, All Shook Up Young@Part the Musical, and Godspell, Jr. for the Middle School, as well as Freckleface Strawberry, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, Jr., and Dear Edwina, Jr. for the Elementary School. Jennifer previously directed and choreographed for New Day Children’s Theatre including The Best of Both Worlds and choreographed their productions of Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood and Twinderella. She was also the Director of Page Robbins Players and several summer drama camps. Other Director/Choreographer credits include Bugsy Malone at Alaska Fine Arts Academy.
Jennifer has a background in critical care nursing, special education, early intervention for children with disabilities, children’s and youth ministry, and performing arts. She is the Director of the Sunday Night Arts and Praise (SNAP) programat Collierville United Methodist Church, where she is also the Director of their musicals each semester. Director/Choreographer credits include Faith News and Straight Outta Bethlehem and Director credits include Danny and the Shacks, Jingle Bell Beach, Star Quest, and Isaiah Jones. She currently teaches and serves on the Preteen Ministry team at Collierville United Methodist and has previously served as the Children’s and Youth Director at Collierville Presbyterian Church, Founder and Director of the Preteen Ministry at Chugiak United Methodist Church, and the Director of Preschool Children’s Ministry at Germantown United Methodist Church.
Having grown up in theatre and dance, Jennifer has over 25 years of experience in the performing arts and has had the distinct privilege of studying with accomplished artists in Tennessee, Alaska, and New York. Favorite dancing credits include Oklahoma! at DeSoto Family Theatre and Anything Goes at Theatre Memphis. She enjoys volunteering as the special events coordinator for local nonprofits and is a judge for the Mid-South Youth Talent Contest. Jennifer is a member of Dance/USA, National Dance Education Organization, National Guild for Community Arts Education, and Tennessee Association of Dance.