Every summer D-E 360° offers programming that includes musical theatre, an opportunity for students to grow connections, tap into their existing talents, and develop new skills. This year’s production was The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical (Theatre for Young Audiences), a stage adaptation of Rick Riordan’s popular young adult novel, The Lightning Thief.

Students in grades 3-9 enrolled in either the Performance or Production track of the musical. In the two weeks leading up to show time, students in the cast participated in dance practices, vocal lessons, and stage combat with an emphasis on safety.

“This show aligns with the theme of Percy Jackson, which is to discover what makes you different… what makes you special”

The Lightning Thief is based on characters in Greek mythology and takes place at Camp Half-Blood, where the children of the gods gather. While there, Percy Jackson goes on a quest to clear his name after being accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt—and to prevent a war among the gods.

After having directed last summer’s Into the Woods, JR, Ms. Jennifer Koteles, a second-grade teacher at D-E who has a background in theatre and playwriting, returned this year as the D-E 360° Summer Theatre Director. “This show aligns with the theme of Percy Jackson, which is to discover what makes you different… what makes you special,” said Ms. Koteles.

The author Riordan, a former middle school teacher, has explained that the main character, Percy, a demigod with ADHD and dyslexia, was inspired by his own son with ADHD; this story was a way to reframe such disorders as superpowers.

Ms. Koteles pointed to the song “Strong,” which is performed in the beginning of the musical, as “the driving force of this whole production… [students can] explore the different sides of themselves,” said Ms. Koteles.

The musical’s leads were Owen Lee ’29, who played the role of Luke, a camp counselor and the son of Hermes; Portia R. ’30 as Annabeth, the daughter of Athena; Ella G. ’30, who played Grover, a hooved satyr with a cheerful demeanor; and Atticus K. as Percy. 

Melody P. ’32, who performed in last spring’s Fifth Grade Opera and has also been in local productions of Annie and The Lion King, played Medusa, the mythical figure with snakes for hair who can turn people to stone. “I like my costume and wig!” said Melody. Another highlight, she added, was making new friends during the production.

The Lightning Thief is the first musical Jordan N. ’34 has performed in. She was part of the ensemble and played a statue in Medusa’s museum with a memorable line. Jordan dances ballet, so Ms. Koteles decided to incorporate some ballet movements into Jordan’s role to make it unique to her.

Adrian C., an eighth grader who attends Thomas Jefferson Middle School, said he enjoyed participating in last year’s production of Into the Woods so much that he returned this summer. He played Ares, the god of War, who Adrian described as a rockstar in leather pants. “I like doing the voice… and swinging the bat,” he said of the tough-talking character who battles Percy. Adrian said he enjoyed interacting with the rest of the cast and crew, and getting tips from Ms. Koteles on stage cues and timing.

Bennett Sachs ’29, a rising Upper School Freshman, was a member of the technical crew focused on lighting and production design on The Lightning Thief. Bennett explained that he was responsible for preparing the spotlights, strobe lights during a pivotal fight scene, and screen projections for more than 50 different scene transitions. While this was Bennett’s first year on the stage crew for a musical, he said he hopes to continue working backstage on future shows at D-E.

According to Ms. Koteles, the key to a successful production is “making sure everyone shines… and has a lot of fun!”—and it seems they did just that.