The house lights dimmed. Grade 8 student Kate O. ’30 strode onto the stage as Jack Kelly—the scrappy, charismatic leader rallying exploited workers to stand up to powerful publishers—and suddenly leadership wasn't just something happening in the plot. It was happening everywhere.

On stage, Kate commanded a strike. Backstage, Stone Ridge’s Middle School students worked together to manage quick changes and set transitions. And throughout rehearsals, drama teacher and director Stephanie Wilson watched her cast and crew transform from individual performers into a unified company that held each other accountable, solved problems together, and lifted each other up. This layered leadership was no accident. Stone Ridge's production of Disney’s Newsies JR. brought the rousing true story of the 1899 newsboys' strike to life across two sold-out November nights. The story follows newsboys who discover their collective power when publishers raise prices at their expense. But the real leadership lessons unfolded in how Stone Ridge students brought that story to life.

"We know that we are educating our world's future leaders, and we want our students to develop the profound empathy and understanding that emerges within powerful storytelling, as actors step into the shoes of others."

- Ms. Stephanie Wilson, Middle & Upper School Drama Teacher

“Playing a lead role in a production this big was the most fun I've had in a show,” Kate reflects. “That fun came with a lot of responsibilities, including being a leader to others.” She adds, “I would lead by memorizing my lines before the deadline that Ms. Wilson set, helping others through scenes if we got lost, listening and paying attention, and helping boost morale. There were times when we all struggled with things like working with the scaffolding and dealing with long hours, but I worked hard to be the person to rally everyone to stay focused and work as hard as we could while also having fun."

Stone Ridge's Middle School spans Grades 5–8, meaning Grade 5 students like Mia B. ’33 could audition alongside Grade 8 students. This creates natural mentorship opportunities that many schools don't offer until high school. Mia discovered a passion for theater while learning from Grade 8 leaders who modeled commitment, collaboration, and stage presence night after night.

"The opportunity to participate in Newsies JR. meant a lot to me as a 5th grader. It was a lot of fun, and I found a love of theater from it," Mia shares. "I made a lot of new friends from other grades. Letting the Middle School productions be an opportunity for 5th graders allows us to experience Stone Ridge’s great theater program."

The themes of Newsies JR. mirror the leadership philosophy woven throughout Stone Ridge's approach to education. The newsboys learn that collective action requires organizing, strategizing, and persuading others to join a cause bigger than themselves. And that leadership means standing up when it's uncomfortable and building coalitions across differences. 

Students wrestling with workers' rights and economic justice on stage were simultaneously practicing those principles in their ensemble work: negotiating choreography, supporting castmates through challenging moments, and creating a seamless production where every voice matters.

"We choose our shows very consciously and purposefully in the Stone Ridge Theatre Department," explains Wilson. "We know that we are educating our world's future leaders, and we want our students to develop the profound empathy and understanding that emerges within powerful storytelling, as actors step into the shoes of others. In this Goal III year that focuses on “a social awareness which impels to action,” Newsies JR. taught our students—both onstage and in the audience—about workers' rights and how the voices of individuals make a difference.” Wilson also notes, “The collaborative nature of theater allows our girls to work together across grade levels. We involve Middle School students as young as 10 years old in our shows so they can see their older peers model behavior, work ethic, responsibility, and creativity, and they can all celebrate each other’s skills and talent."

In an all-girls environment, the casting took on additional significance. The girls played every role—the heroes, the villains, the leaders, and the rebels—and were involved in every aspect of the production.
 

The leadership appears not only in Jack Kelly's story, but also through Katherine Plumber—brought to life by Jhanvi R. ’30—the ambitious reporter who uses her platform to amplify the newsboys' cause. It’s embodied by Davey, played by Charlotte G. ’30, who brings strategy and organization to the strike. It's reflected in every newsboy who chooses solidarity over self-interest. And at Stone Ridge, it’s demonstrated through the nearly 70 Middle School students who showed up, did the work, supported their castmates, and discovered what they were capable of when given the stage. From the cast to stage managers Vivian L. ’31 and Hope M. ’31, to sound and lighting board operators Sahiba B. ’31 and Valentina R. ’32, Stone Ridge girls owned it.  

"Something I enjoyed about my stage-managing experience was that I was able to help so many people in so many different ways," says Vivian. "I went over notes with people when they were confused, and it made me feel good because I felt great knowing that people could rely on me."

Hope adds, "I loved being a stage manager because I got to be a part of something bigger than me. I also learned how much direction and coordination are required of a backstage crew, and I was excited to step up for that job."

As audiences watched these students embrace the show's rallying cry about seizing the day, they witnessed leadership in action. And when the curtain fell on two sold-out performances, one thing was clear: these students had seized far more than the day. They had seized their own moment and demonstrated what leadership and courage look like when girls run the show. ❤

More on Newsies JR.

Girls Taking the Lead in Newsies JR: A full student reflection from Kate O. ’30

Newsies JR. in Action: Behind the Scenes Video