Over spring break, 10 students traveled to New York to perform at Lincoln Center with music teacher Kindra Scharich and Director of Theater Maura Vaughn, marking Branson’s first time participating in the program.
The group took part in the chorus of “When I Meet the Wizard,” a concert musical blending songs from “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz,” alongside over 150 student performers from all over the world.
“The Manhattan Concert Productions reached out last spring, inviting us to participate at Lincoln Center. I’m not exactly sure why, maybe a part of the outreach they do. But it was a new, exciting opportunity,” Scharich said.
The production itself was not a fully staged musical, but a concert performance featuring songs from Wicked, including “Defying Gravity” and “One Short Day,” alongside classics like “Someone Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
“I think the students really enjoyed all of the Wizard of Oz tunes, but, of course, Wicked’s more modern and in their brains too,” said Scharich.
For students, the experience of performing at a well-known venue like Lincoln Center alongside students from other schools stood out.
“It was super amazing to be able to perform at the Lincoln Center, especially because it’s a well-known place in New York and to get to do it with people from all around the world was really fun,” Sierra Kuehn ’28 said. “I got to know people who lived in Utah, Florida, and even Poland, which made the experience even more exciting.”
After committing to the trip last spring, students received music and choreography materials in the fall and started structured rehearsals this spring.
“During rehearsals, Mean Girls was going on, so we met before and after the musical, during clubs, and lunch blocks,” Scharich said.
“These rehearsals were intense, but a really good exposure to what a professional rehearsal in the musical theater industry would look like,” Kaylyn Molloy ’26 said.
Beyond the performance, students also explored New York City, attending the Broadway musical, Hadestown, and visiting landmarks like Times Square.
“I had a lot of fun with everyone, and we went to a Broadway show,” Molloy said. “It was amazing, and now I’m obsessed. I listened to the “Hadestown” soundtrack at least four times that week.”
“I remember going to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, and laughing with my friend after a long rehearsal,” London Mullarkey ’27 said.
Scharich emphasized the impact of that experience, particularly for students who may not have previously performed in such a large group.
“If you’ve never had that experience of singing with a large group of people, you won’t know what you’re missing… it’s very powerful,” she said.
As Branson’s first time participating in the program, the trip offered students a glimpse into the possibilities of large-scale performance beyond a school setting.
“It felt like this trip unlocked a part of me,” Molloy said. “If you’re considering it next year, definitely audition and just go for it. I never considered myself as someone who would love musical theater, and it was really inspiring.”
