By Ari Mayblum ’25
TLS’s theater program has been a key element of the arts throughout its history. Year after year, student-actors sign up for the lower, middle and high school performances to express themselves through the lens of different characters in a show. New Upper School Theater Director Maayan Loewenberg hopes to create a deeper relationship between middle school and high school casts by implementing new acting strategies.
“I value theater education and developing acting skills in a way that surpasses preparing for a specific production,” Loewenberg said. “I plan on taking our ensemble and crew to see live theater, bring in guest artists for special workshops, and create a strong sense of community in our ensemble. The goal is to have continuity from the Middle School to the High School and create a safe space for creative exploration.”
The growth of TLS’s high school Engineering and Entrepreneurship led to the program’s use of the Black Box Theater as a classroom. Some may be concerned with how this will affect the theater program; however, Loewenberg doesn’t seem to be concerned.
“We currently share the space with E Squared,” Loewenberg said. “We recently got new lights installed which will be great for our future productions.”
It is important that a director has prior experience with theater. Loewenberg has felt passionate about drama since her youth.
“I was involved in a youth theater company back home in Israel when I was a teenager, and decided to pursue my passion for performing arts professionally,” Loewenberg said. “I moved to New York and attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. It was the most amazing experience! I started directing and writing shows in my previous schools and I am so excited to expand the theater program in Leffell’s Upper School.”
Theater directors are responsible for preparing their actors and actresses to be ready for the production. Loewenberg aims to connect with her casts and have them focus on specific concepts in order to enhance their acting and the entire performance.
“I teach my actors stage presence, body language, improvisation, voice and speech, character development and scene analysis,” Loewenberg said.
This year’s Middle School production will be Matilda Jr. and the High School production will be Legally Blonde. Loewenberg especially loves Legally Blonde.
“The movie is great and the Broadway adaptation is just hilarious,” Loewenberg said. “It’s the perfect combination of good storytelling, great music and camp!”