Arts

Maui Prep Theater

Maui Prep Musical Theater Productions

Theater at Maui Prep centers around two major productions each year, providing students with meaningful opportunities to perform on stage and experience the discipline and excitement of live theater.

Lower School Production (K–5)

All Lower School students participate in the annual Lower School musical theater production, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to perform on stage as part of a large ensemble.

This production introduces students to the rehearsal process, stage performance, and the collaborative nature of theater. The show is performed in the Bozich Center for Athletics and Performing Arts and is one of the most anticipated events of the school year.

Middle and Upper School Production (Grades 6–12)

Students in Middle and Upper School have the opportunity to participate in the school’s annual musical theater production. These productions are fully staged junior musicals that allow students to experience the process of professional theatre—from auditions and rehearsals to opening night.
Recent productions have included:
  • Finding Nemo Jr.
  • Matilda Jr.
Students involved in productions develop acting skills, stage presence, rehearsal discipline, and ensemble collaboration while bringing beloved stories to life for the school community.

Theater Curriculum

Lower School Drama: Kindergarten–5th Grade

Lower School students participate in weekly 45-minute drama classes that introduce the foundations of theater through imaginative play, storytelling, and performance.

Led by Lower School Drama Instructor Sarah Gowans, these classes create a supportive environment where students develop creativity, confidence, and expressive communication skills.

Students explore:
  • Imaginative play and role-playing
  • Storytelling and dramatic expression
  • Voice projection and stage presence
  • Character creation and emotional expression
  • Improvisation and collaborative scene work
  • Foundational elements of drama and theatre theory
As students progress through the grades, they begin memorizing lines and performing scripted material while developing the skills needed for stage performance.

Middle and Upper School Theater

Middle and Upper School students participate in theater through the Performing Arts elective program, where they develop acting and production skills while working toward the school’s major theatrical productions.

Students receive instruction in:
  • Acting technique
  • Character development
  • Script analysis
  • Stage blocking and movement
  • Rehearsal discipline and ensemble collaboration
  • Stage performance and storytelling
These classes are taught collaboratively by Nathalie Smith, Director of Performing Arts, who leads acting and theatrical direction, and Sarah Gowans, who serves as Musical Director and vocal coach.

Technical Theater and Production

Students also have opportunities to participate behind the scenes through technical theater and production roles, gaining experience in the many creative and technical elements that support a successful performance.

Students may contribute to:
  • Lighting and sound design
  • Stage management
  • Set construction and scenic design
  • Prop creation
  • Marketing materials and posters
  • Social media campaigns supporting productions
These experiences allow students to understand the full scope of theater production while developing practical creative skills.

Why Theater?

List of 2 items.

  • Performance Opportunities

    In addition to the Lower School production, students participate in additional performance opportunities throughout the year.
    These include:
    • Poetry recitals presented during school assemblies
    • Arts Night performances on the outdoor stage
    • May Day
    • Lower School musical theater production
    • Middle and Upper Schools musical theater production

    During the fourth quarter, students work with Sarah Gowans on singing and vocal performance in preparation for Arts Night, where theatre and music combine in a celebration of student performance.

  • What Students Gain

    What Students Gain

    Through theatre, Maui Prep students develop skills that extend far beyond the stage, including:
    • Confidence speaking in front of others
    • Creative expression and storytelling
    • Emotional awareness and empathy
    • Collaboration and ensemble teamwork
    • Discipline and responsibility through rehearsal
    • Communication and presentation skills
    These experiences help students become confident performers and articulate communicators, skills that benefit them across all areas of academic and personal development.

Arts Spaces at Maui Prep

List of 3 items.

  • Theater Studio

    The theater studio, located on the main Maui Prep campus, is a multipurpose room devoted to the drama, music and dance.

  • Chin Studio at the Bozich Center

    The Chin Studio is a multi-purpose room primarily used as a dance studio in the Bozich Center.  The room features wall-to-wall mirrors, portable ballet barres, and a luxury sprung dance floor.

  • Graham Theater at the Bozich Center

    The Graham Theater, part of the Bozich Center, is the main stage for Maui Prep productions

Program Leadership

The theater program at Maui Preparatory Academy is led by Nathalie Smith, Director of Performing Arts, and Sarah Gowans, Lower School Drama Instructor and Musical Director.

Nathalie Smith
Nathalie serves as the director of the school’s theatrical productions and leads acting instruction for Middle and Upper School students. As Head of Performing Arts, she oversees the development of the theater, dance, and music programs while directing major productions that bring the school community together through performance.

Sarah Gowans
Sarah Gowans teaches Lower School drama and serves as Musical Director for Maui Prep’s theater productions. She brings years of experience working with children and teens in singing, choir, and performance.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Utah State University and an Associate of Science in Elementary Education from Ricks College. Her background in child development and education informs her approach to teaching drama and vocal performance.

Find Us

4910 Honoapi'ilani Highway
Lahaina, Hi 96761

About

Maui Preparatory Academy is a preschool through 12th grade private school located in West Maui. 
© Maui Preparatory Academy. All Rights Reserved