The Evolution of ND Musicals Throughout the Years

Image by the ND Theater Department

Over the years, Notre Dame High School has brought a variety of musicals to life, including “Urinetown,” “Matilda the Musical,” “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” and most recently, “Legally Blonde.” Each show takes the audience on a different journey — “Urinetown” guides us through a town fighting for justice and the basic right to pee, while “Matilda” tells the story of a brilliant young girl navigating an unfair world with courage and strength. “Percy Jackson” takes the audience into a mythological adventure filled with gods and monsters. And most recently, “Legally Blonde” showcased a former sorority girl defying stereotypes to become one of the best lawyers of her generation.

All of these stories came to life in the beloved Julie Billiart Hall, better known as Notre Dame’s gymnasium. Notre Dame High School is widely recognized as a center of women’s leadership, with its commitment to empowering students to go beyond academics. Through classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities, the school instills its core values in every aspect of student life. Specifically, almost half of the student body participates in the theater department, which spans different grades, with a long line of tradition and a growing history of musicals that continue to inspire, entertain, and bring the school community together. However, with all the big-name productions you’ve heard so far, Notre Dame’s musicals haven’t always been large-scale.  The types of musicals have ranged from classics to more contemporary ones, where Bryan Ringsted, the current director of Notre Dame’s Theater Department, said, “Mostly Notre Dame performed classics or little-known [musicals];  very safe musicals before my time.” Additionally, Tina Paulson, the school’s music director and performing arts teacher, who has been a part of the school’s program for a bit longer than Ringsted, said, “ND used to do smaller-scale, less well-known musicals at a high level.” She went on to list musicals like, “"Zombie Prom," "Earth Sucks," "Sing Down the Moon" and "Nevermore; the Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allen Poe." Paulson continued, saying, “There have been a few years of more mainstream musicals, too- like "The Sound of Music." However, lately, we've shifted our focus towards larger-scale, more well-known shows, such as "Urinetown" and "Legally Blonde." The transition from classics to modern musicals is one of the many aspects that demonstrate the department's significant growth. 

Musicals may come and go, but the legendary figures who bring them to life remain. Today, Notre Dame’s Performing Arts team includes Bryan Ringsted, Tina Paulson, Emily King (dance/choreography), Brett Carlson (tech/set design) and Caitlyn Nichols (costumes, props, and makeup). Their guidance has been vital to the success of each production. Past directors like Sarah Kane, Lewis Stone Cologne and Derek Macaw also played a key role in shaping the program. Honoring those who’ve built this legacy is essential to understanding the department’s growth and continued success.

While the plays and musicals provide a broader picture of what this department is all about, the heart of Notre Dame’s theater department remains rooted in its students and teachers, whether they are on stage, behind the scenes, or in the pit. Students like Cate Fuller ‘25 and Khadija Khan ‘28 have not only contributed to productions like Urinetown and Legally Blonde, but have grown up alongside them. Fuller began as a freshman, taking on the role as a stage manager-in-training, juggling a handful of responsibilities that we’re all pretty new to. “As a freshman, I was shy and anxious… but as I became [more comfortable] as a stage manager, I was able to build that confidence and talk to people, and be in charge of rehearsals.” Khan, who initially found herself too nervous to act, discovered her place in tech theater, saying, “Stress pushes you to power through it… It helps you do your best and work hard.” Both now help train new student stage managers, ensuring the next generation doesn’t have to struggle alone. 

This emphasis on mentorship and collaboration is echoed by cast members like Olivia Ciarico ‘25, Clara Winston ‘27 and Dahlia Nano ‘28, who describe the department as inclusive and friendly. “It’s nice… I’ve done other shows at other places, and it’s never been like this. So not cliquey. Everyone wants to help each other,” said Winston. Even with the natural competitiveness that comes during auditions, the sense of community never fades. “Mr. Ringsted genuinely cares about us… He’s a great support system,” shared Ciarico, reflecting on how the creative team’s leadership has shaped not only successful performances but lasting bonds that are carried out even after productions have come to an end. 

And challenges have certainly been part of the journey. COVID-19 canceled “Nevermore” in 2020, pushing the department to come up with “Cabaret: A Virtual Musical,” compiled through love and labor by King, Smithee and Paulson. Technical setbacks have also tested the team’s resilience, from complete curtain replacements and audio failures to an entirely new lighting system, demonstrating that every year brings a new obstacle. But the passion of students and the commitment of the administration have kept the spotlight shining, or as they say, the show running. 

And what’s a musical without music? Paulson reminds us of the often-unseen heroes in the pit orchestra. “Student musicians have been the dominant players in ND Musicals for the last 7 years… You can adjust the acting, the dancing—but not the music.” These musicians, playing the original Broadway scores, rise to the occasion show after show, often without recognition. “If we're doing our job right, no one will notice us,” she says, proudly reflecting on the student-led excellence that powers every production.

Traditions that remain continue to thread the past into the present, honoring those who came before while celebrating those stepping into new roles. One such tradition is the Legacy Robe, which honors an individual from a specific cast and production who is known to be dependable and supportive to other cast members. They are given a robe filled with patches and designs from past holders, and it is symbolic to Notre Dame’s theater community because it shows the many inspiring leaders who have made their mark. Notre Dame’s theater program is more than a department—it’s a living reflection of student leadership, creative expression, and community spirit. And as the curtains on the aged gymnasium stage continue to open and with every final bow, that legacy only grows stronger.