Anastasia - St Peter's, Cambridge Senior Production 2023

The mahi behind St Peter’s, Cambridge production magic

St Peter's, Cambridge — July 20th, 2023

Stephen Morton-Jones, the Director of Performing Arts at St Peter's, Cambridge, opens up about the secret behind the consistently outstanding performances delivered by the St Peter's Performing Arts team.

The St Peter's, Cambridge Performing Arts team earned an extraordinary 31 Zony nominations in this year's awards event. A fantastic achievement and the most the team have ever received.

Being an audience member at a St Peter's production has always been a unique experience, from the level of professionalism showcased in stage props, lighting, and sound to the outstanding and talented performances the students deliver on stage. Hard work and dedication help the students shine on the night, with no small thanks to the team in the background who pull it all together - it shows in the applause from the audience and the recognition the team receives from industry leaders. It's a collective effort that brings magic to the stage, leaving everyone in awe.

To deliver outstanding results within its Musical Theatre productions, St Peter's, Cambridge fosters the support of exceptional people. The school has consistently approached each production with the precision of a professional theatre company. For instance, this year's production of Anastasia involved the collaborative efforts of 73 individuals. Among them were 27 onsite staff members diligently working behind the scenes, committed to delivering an exceptional show experience.

The Performing Arts team receives valuable support from highly skilled specialists in the industry, whose involvement in crucial roles plays a vital part in shaping the production. Whether designing an exquisite set or skillfully directing the show, their contributions significantly enhance the quality and refinement of the final performances. Their expertise adds an extra layer of brilliance to the already outstanding work of the team.

This commitment ensures the delivery of a top-quality product and an unforgettable audience experience whilst presenting the students with exceptional, world-class learning opportunities.

“By using industry specialists, we support our students with the highest quality people resourcing to underpin learning and, at the same time, expose our students to leaders in the industry. This allows our students to foster relationships and build professional portfolios that can lead to remarkable external opportunities.”

“When I first started at St Peter’s, one of the school board members said to me that one of the main reasons any endeavour fails is because people are afraid to commit the resourcing required to guarantee success. Such support from the school leaders to back the delivery of a professional model gives the staff involved the confidence to reach for the skies.” Stephen Morton-Jones

The evidence of the support and dedication of the professional vision and work ethic of the Performing Arts team at St Peter's, Cambridge, is reflected in the vast number of Zony Award nominations received this year.