CHILDREN'S THEATRE PROGRAMS
The Children’s Theatre Program is a performing arts education program that is an expansion of The St. Philomena Thespians Children’s Theatre Troupe (Thespians) which has, in the ten years since its founding, taught the soup-to-nuts production of such classics as Carousel, Les Miserable, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, The King and I and Annie.
Lumina’s Children’s Theatre Program is modeled after the Thespian program from which it emerged.
The After School Program begins with auditions in early January. Rehearsals are held for four hours/week and performances are held in a professional theatre space in June each year.
The Summer Theatre Boot Camp accomplishes a scaled back, soup-to-nuts production that is accomplished in the course of a two-week, full day, theatre camp.
The children who will be onstage learn voice production, ear-training, acting, basic dance, elocution, and diction. They memorize lines and blocking, learn to read subtext in scripts, write “back-stories” and verbally express/discuss motivation in their character’s development. Those who are drawn to the tech side of theatre learn set design and construction, theatrical lighting, sound design and engineering, and stage management.
They all develop notable skill sets in the self-mastery necessary in accomplishing the rigors of live theatre. What the children experience both onstage and backstage is a robust boast to self-esteem through self-reliance as well as teamwork while they tell impactful stories through the Lumina lens; a brand of storytelling that seeks, always, to uplift those on both sides of the curtain.
after school programs * summer theatre bootcamps
educational programs * theatrical workshops * talkbacks * backstage tours during our regular season of shows
After School Program ~ 2024
Our Spring 2024 program will be announced here on November 27, 2023!
In the meantime, please enjoy perusing our past productions by scrolling down.
Summer Camp ~ 2023
Learn theatre and reading comprehension with your friends all in one fun filled camp at
St. Benedict’s Church: 2612 Wilkens Ave. Baltimore, MD 21223
August 4-13 ~ 8AM – 6PM
Showtimes: August 12th @ 6PM, August 13th @ 12Noon and 6PM
Previous After School Productions
May ~ 2023
Beauty and the Beast is, at its core, an Easter story. A story of rebirth and renewal for the Beast, who fell from grace through sin and yet, through love, was redeemed and restored to his rightful place in the order of creation.
When men and women honor the dignity of their authentic natures, their tale is a lovely one in which they profoundly impact one another in realizing their highest selves, influence society by strengthening it with the families they lead, and most significantly, cooperate with the Creator’s plan to act through their love to continue creation itself.
It is our hope that in Beauty and the Beast we glimpse the creative and transformative power in the love between man and woman. And that with hope to lead the way, love will win the day for all of us who contribute a verse to the “tale as old as time” that we all tell together until it finds its end.
June ~ 2022
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4
Annie is a story of faith and hope in the face of despair and hardship. Annie herself is the personification of a hopefulness that uplifts all with optimism and even joy; from an abandoned stray dog, to a weary and worried president and to a lonely and incomplete billionaire. Annie teaches us that although we may face times of darkness, as individuals and as a society, we can look forward, with hope, to a time promised and for which we have all been created. Till then, we can find comfort and fortitude in the happy hope that “come what may” a brighter “tomorrow” is “only a day away”
June ~ 2019
Thespians revisited the timely theme of the ordered relationship between men and women again this year – this time through the eyes of the man. This poignant message was delivered in the fun Lerner and Loewe classic that has charmed audiences for generations.
“It was great to see your interesting take on My Fair Lady take shape. Well done!”
“These shows just get better and better.”
“The harmonies and choral work were amazing! Look out Broadway!”
“The professional quality of the performances make it hard to believe this is school aged theatre.”
“I cried at the end…it was so touching in a very deep way…”
“I don’t remember being so moved by the finale of a musical ever! You really struck a note of truth for men and women to hear.”
June ~ 2018
The SPA Thespians viewed the “battle of the sexes” that has been waged since the fall of man…through the lens of Ephesians 5:22-33 ~ in this classic tale told within the lush production and music that are Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I.
“Anna and the King were so believable together. I laughed and I cried – sometimes at the same time watching them together – professional performances all around.”
“How do these kids get to be so amazing!! You don’t see this level of performance in school plays.”
“I thought Anna sounded like Julie Andrews – couldn’t believe she’s in 8th grade!”
“I cried all the way through – Loved “shall we dance” – they nailed it!”
“A tough message in our times – done so well!”
“The little children were stupendous; they stole the show!”
“Costuming and sets absolutely amazing.”
“A tremendous accomplishment – can’t wait for next year!”
June ~ 2017
What do you do if
the world becomes hostile to you
because of your faith?
They say a zebra doesn’t change its stripes… and so too The Fiddler, whose purpose is to “scratch out a pleasant tune”, even if he finds himself on a slanted and treacherous roof.
Like his friend The Fiddler, Tevye, an uneducated peasant, humorously faces and wisely traverses the ‘slanted and treacherous’ uncertainties of life. With an earthy humor and trust in Divine Providence that is uplifting and inspiring, Tevye faithfully discerns when to bend and when to steadfastly hold to his Faith despite persecution and division – even within his own family!
In a world where religious freedom is, at best, threatened and at worst, denied, where direct persecution for Faith is becoming all too common, where clandestine attacks on the soul masquerading as good abound and where “keeping the faith” can make life as shaky as that of a “Fiddler on the Roof; It is our hope that this work will lead us all to welcome that ‘Fiddler’ in our own Faith, through which we may “keep our balance” in these uncertain, confusing, and spiritually treacherous times – to remain steadfast in Faith – whatever the cost.
Mostly, at its core, Fiddler teaches that life, itself, is a celebration! With all its joys, sorrows and ‘slanted treacherous’ uncertainties, it is and always will be a beautiful gift of the Creator – to whom we present all its fruits.
June ~ 2016
“For no greater love hath any man
than to lay down his life for a friend.”
John 5:13
“This was the best one yet!” *** “The singing and dancing was amazing!” *** “They were like professional actors on that stage. They portrayed so many complex emotions so well *** “I laughed, I cried, then I laughed and cried together!” *** “The set was a tremendous feat! – Well done!” *** “What a production, what a message, what an evening”
June ~ 2015
“The Best Musical of the Twentieth Century”
Time Magazine
“And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, and the name of the river was Suffering … And I saw the Boat which carries souls across the river and the name of that boat was Love”
St. John of the Cross
The story of Carousel encourages and comforts us as we “walk through a storm” to cross that necessary “river” and arrive victoriously to the “golden sky” of its distant shore.
“There was not a dry eye in the house!!”
“What an uplifting evening. I had never heard of Carousel, but it is an amazing story. Sacrifice, love, redemption, WOW”
“The pastor’s homily at the vigil Mass tonight was the recitation of the lyrics for ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ ~ uncanny!”
“Such professional singing and dancing. And what great acting. I cried and cried at the end.”
“That ballet could have been on Broadway or Lincoln Center. I’ve studied dance for years and that was absolutely Amazing!”
“Thespians has done it again.“
June ~ 2014
A story, told through the lens of the valley of tears we share, that celebrates the often-hidden victory in the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
“In all my years of theater, I don’t think I’d ever seen a show as perfectly cast as tonight. I probably have never heard singing on such an incredible level, with the most beautiful tones and professional vibrattos, in a high school (and below) production…. It was more than a show tonight……. it was a prayer, a sacrifice, and a gift.”
“I felt so immersed in the play, I was part of each one on stage, their feelings, their emotions were mine. I was truly blessed to have experienced this so very special presentation of Les Mis. I have seen this show performed on stage and on TV, but nothing could compare to what I saw this past Saturday.”
“All I could think was Wow! The musical was of incredible quality for a high school and younger production….and the voices were Broadway quality…I have seen this show at the National Theater and at Toby’s dinner theater and I found this production every bit as professional and topnotch!”
June ~ 2013
“Screwtape”
An adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic satire
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is an unconventional and entertaining treatise on the ever-present vigor of spiritual warfare that rages around us seeking to either save or steal our souls. This essential and timeless reality, so aptly approached by C.S Lewis, should be required reading for all those interested in the fine art of discerning the often elusive good from bad in our lives. “Screwtape”, adapted for teenaged performers is our attempt to communicate this thought-provoking material.
“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”
William Shakespeare