Each spring, Wheaton Academy’s Fine Arts Center comes alive with the energy of a new Academy Theatre production. This year’s musical, Singin’ in the Rain, transports audiences to the golden age of Hollywood, where the movie industry, and those who are a part of it, are undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Set in the late 1920s, Singin’ in the Rain follows Don Lockwood (Luke Brock ’26), a silent film star, whose career seems untouchable—until talking pictures take over the industry. With his best friend and accompanist Cosmo Brown (Mason Hockett ’25) by his side, Don tries to adapt, but there’s one major problem: his glamorous co-star, Lina Lamont (Rilee McDonald ’25), has a voice unsuited for talkies. Enter Kathy Selden (Kate Ollila ’26), a talented young actress whose voice is the perfect solution to save Don’s latest film. As Don and Kathy’s collaboration turns into romance, Lina fights to maintain her fame, leading to moments of deception, comedy, and triumph.
Before each show, Director Corbett Burick reminds audiences that as they navigate similar challenging transitions and insecurities, they can rest knowing that their value is secure. She shares, “We don’t have to prove our worth or fear failure like Lina because God’s love for us is unchanging.”
Bringing this beloved musical to life required incredible dedication from the cast and crew, and a whole new level of creativity. One of the production’s most exciting challenges was making it rain onstage. No movie magic here! The falling water was all real, powered by equipment engineered in our new Idea Lab. Stage Master Josh Burick explains, “Each night, we use 90 to 100 gallons of water to create the iconic rain effect. The water lands on the rain stage, then drains between seams in the decking before traveling backwards up stage to be pumped 20 feet in the air and recirculated.”
The IDEA Lab isn’t the only new space that contributed to this year’s musical. Our film crew took advantage of the new Studio 22 space to create films for the production, designed to mimic the shaky first steps of the talking film industry.
Of course, no production of Singin’ in the Rain would be complete without its dazzling choreography. The show’s tap numbers, choreographed by Mrs. Burick, require both technical skill and comedic timing, from the upbeat “Good Morning” to the physically demanding “Make ‘Em Laugh.”
Beyond its humor and high-energy performances, Singin’ in the Rain tells a story about truth, resilience, and finding connection with others. Don’s journey from silent film star to talkie actor is not just about professional adaptation but personal transformation, and students on the cast and crew recalled similar transformations. Daisy Henkle ’25 (Dora Bailey) recalls, “Through acting at Wheaton Academy, I have learned how to step out of my comfort zone and be myself…acting has given me the confidence I need in the real world! It has also given me empathy as I’ve learned to step into another person’s shoes as I play different characters.”
That unique level of empathy extends beyond the stage and into everyday life. “The community formed through these shows is unlike any other,” Anna Mathews ’25 (Studio Hairdresser) said, “The people involved are working towards a goal greater than themselves and everyone is aware of that and contributes.”
More than just another showstopping Academy Theatre production, Singin’ in the Rain represents Wheaton Academy’s dedication to equipping the next generation of storytellers and artists. Whether on stage, behind the camera, or in the pit, students are developing the skills, creativity, and conviction needed to make an impact beyond the walls of the Fine Arts Center. They are learning that excellence in the arts is not just about technical mastery but about using their gifts to communicate timeless truths that ultimately point to Christ.