Perpich Arts High School Theater Department Presents “Classic Perpich Senior Projects” – Theater Capstone 2026

May 18, 2026

The Perpich Arts High School Theater Department closed out the year with its annual Senior Capstone performances on May 14th and May 15th, showcasing deeply personal and creatively ambitious projects developed by graduating returning seniors over the course of fourth quarter.

Audrey Tuite (Musical Theater 2026) presented an autobiographical piece about her family & their experience with immigration

Senior Capstone is a graduation requirement for Theater students and serves as the culminating Perpich experience, allowing returning seniors to design, execute, and document an original, process-driven project that reflects two years of artistic growth. Projects ranged from autobiographical solo performances to original works combining music, movement, and storytelling.

The evening featured performances by Elsie Erickson (Musical Theater 2026), Gwyn DeVillers (Musical Theater 2026), Audrey Tuite (Musical Theater 2026), Natalie Campbell (Musical Theater 2026), Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026), and Ailee Bartz (Musical Theater 2026). Students used their allotted performance time in a variety of ways, with some collaborating to create larger-scale productions and others presenting solo works rooted in personal experience.

Elsie Erickson (Musical Theater 2026)(right) presented an epistolary performance based on her middle school journals over COVID-19. She was joined by Ray Ehrhardt (Music 2026)(left)

One of the performances came from Audrey Tuite, whose autobiographical piece explored family history, immigration, and Arab American representation. “The message of this show makes it worth telling: representation and history matter,” Tuite said. “This show is dedicated to my grandma and family, as well as Arab Americans everywhere.”

Tuite described the process of creating the piece as both challenging and rewarding, particularly because of how personal the material was. “I was proud of the outcome,” she said, “especially considering how close to the show day we choreographed and finalized it, and since it was something I never would have been comfortable with doing when I first started here.”

Throughout the quarter, seniors worked closely with Theater instructors Tory Peterson and Kevin Hohlstein, as well as professional community mentors from across the performing arts industry.

Natalie Campbell (Musical Theater 2026)(right) & Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026)(left) presented “The Mercury and the Magic” by Rolin Jones with song excerpts from several sources

Principal Rebecca Bullen praised the students’ vulnerability and artistic growth throughout the performances. “Students demonstrated incredible personal growth, bold leadership, and commitment to authentic storytelling and their personal journey,” Bullen said. “Their work was deeply personal and it was powerful to be in the space with them while they stepped fully into their creativity.”

Senior Capstone is a quarter long, process-driven project required for graduation by the Perpich Theater Program. Seniors execute and thoroughly document a sustained project of their own design over the course of 4th quarter. Projects may be connected to creative collaborative production and may take the form of, but are not limited to: a research paper, creation of an original work – play, movement, cabaret, costume, set design, voice over, sound score, etc. This serves as the “capstone” Perpich experience, bringing together two years of coursework and productions in theater arts and musical theater, and preparing students for life and work after departing Perpich Arts High School. Instructors Tory Peterson and Kevin Hohlstein serve as resources in the planning stages, advise on the progress of the project, and evaluate its effectiveness and quality.

Gwyn DeVillers (Musical Theater 2026) presented an autobiographical solo performance

Each Senior was allotted 10 minutes to use however they choose to develop their Capstone Project. When working with other Seniors, their time could be pooled together to showcase work. Juniors were cast as needed in certain Capstones. Each Senior was given a Community Mentor, a professional in the field that supports Senior Capstone work, from theater directors, performers, costume design, voice talent, and animators.

Congratulations to all those involved in the show!