As Campbell Hall seniors step onto the stage for the final time, a wave of emotion washes over them. The reality begins to sink in: this chapter of their lives is coming to a close. At the same time, they appreciate the friends they have made and the lessons they have learned. These are the experiences the students are grateful for and believe will continue to guide them going forward after their Campbell Hall careers.
Josh Adell, high school theater teacher, hopes his students will grow creatively as they learn how to tap into their artistic side. He believes that, regardless of what they pursue in the future, his students will be able to apply the creativity they develop through performing and find value in it across various endeavors.
“When [my students] go off into the world, [I hope] they feel a confidence in expressing themselves artistically, whatever that may be, whether that’s through theater or even in jobs that you may not consider creative,” Adell said. “Even [outside of] their jobs in their lives, you can be creative in how you decorate your home or what you do with your friends on the weekends. [I hope they] always [keep] art in their lives.”
One student who embodies this creative growth is Daria Johnson ‘26, an actress outside of the classroom. She believes that her time performing in front of the camera, playing various roles, from an expressive member of a roller skating crew to a supportive friend in the Upshaws, has taught her to better empathize with others. With each different character she plays, she feels she can resonate with new perspectives and unique situations, growing as a person. Johnson values the social lessons she has learned from performing and will carry this empathy with her throughout her life.
“When I’m acting, I get to live in the lives of other people and experience situations that I may not experience in my own life,” Johnson said. “I’ve learned that I’m really empathetic. I can learn about that and actually have this real-world knowledge [beyond] just acting. I [have been] able to sympathize with my friends and be empathetic and learn that I’m adaptable also, and I can adapt to certain situations and learn and grow.”
Samantha Benzce ‘26 arrived at Campbell Hall as a freshman, still new to theater, a bit nervous, but found confidence in performing, embodying a similar type of growth to Johnson. Beyond her uncertainty, she credits Adell’s words of encouragement that instilled in her the confidence to try theater, something she thought was not for her. Now, four years later, she feels she has grown in many ways and learned lessons she will carry with her, both in and out of the performing arts.
“[Joining theater] was scary at first, but I think I’ve really been able to grow as a person through acting classes and doing these productions,” Benzce said. “I’ve grown a lot socially, and I’m so much more confident in the way that I present myself now. I was very nervous going into my first musical because I knew it wasn’t a skill set I had, but I did it anyway. It’s cool to see that hard work pays off.”
A veteran of the theater program since his sophomore year, Michael Moon ‘26, feels he has embodied a growth similar to Bencze, a true social comfort. As he reflects on his high school experience, he understands that the opportunity he has had over the last four years is very special, not just for the experience, but because of the relationships built. Moon believes that the drama program has always had a special place in his heart. For him, it wasn’t the theatrics or the knowledge learned, but the lifelong relationships.
“It’s definitely bittersweet for sure,” Moon said. “Just knowing the fact that after college, I probably won’t have many of these opportunities again. It’s just a bit worrisome, a bit odd for me. I’ve enjoyed high school theater a lot, especially at Campbell Hall. Just bonding in general in the theater and being around people I love. I always say that doing acting, musicals, or] theater [will] always [be] better when you’re with someone [you like] on stage. Just [by] doing this every single day with Mr. Adell, [I love the] energy that he brings.”
