A growing wave of talent from the Basilica School of St. Mary in Alexandria is making its mark across the local arts scene as numerous students and alumni take the stage in community theater productions throughout the DMV.
Their involvement highlights the school’s performing arts culture and its lasting impact on students after graduation.
In recent months, students from multiple grade levels have earned roles in small community and well-known professional theaters alike, such as the Alexandria Community Theater and the Kennedy Center productions of “The Nutcracker,” and the Little Theatre of Alexandria’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” These opportunities allowed students to work with seasoned performers and grow in their craft beyond the school stage.
Basilica students Jackson Balch, Carolina Burgos, Anna Katherine Burkart, Eleanor Burke, Clara Carlough, Elizabeth Carlough, Violet Carroll, Hadley Joynes, Kinsleigh Lusch, Carmen Navaroli, Allison Schaper, Cora Tracy, Margaret Walz and Mary Katherine Walz participated in the annual Alexandria Community Theater’s the Nutcracker.
School nurse Tanisha Burdick recently performed as the Gingerbread Cookie in the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. Her daughter, Karina Burdick, and Emily Walsh, basilica students, performed alongside her.
Basilica students Penelope Porter, Abigail Thielman and Scarlett Welker are performing in A Christmas Carol at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, which runs through Dec. 20.
Alumni of the basilica school are also continuing to thrive in the arts, helping local theaters in technical aspects of the productions. Alexander Thielman (‘24) has been assisting the master carpenters with the set build of A Christmas Carol and is also an assistant stage manager. Bella Porter (‘24) is also working as an assistant stage manager.
“Through community theater, I have learned what it means to be a hard worker,” said Abigail Thielman, a seventh grader. “When you do theater, you learn that achieving your dreams is always possible if you work for it. Your dreams are never too far to reach. The hard work we put into academics at the Basilica School of St. Mary prepared us for the hard work of performing in theater. My favorite line in A Christmas Carol is that I get to talk about baby Jesus!”
“It is an honor to help our students develop all their gifts,” stated Rob Loia, basilica principal. “Nurturing the arts in our students strengthens not only their creativity but also their academic formation, their character, and their social development. They learn that, by offering their gifts, they create moments of beauty. We love seeing this growth in them and are proud when they go on to share their gifts beyond our school.”
