Musical theatre at NWSS
New Westminster Secondary’s musical theatre program has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality, large-scale shows that showcase student talent and bring the community together. The program is open to grades nine to 12.
Over the past 15 years, sold-out audiences have enjoyed productions such as:
- Mamma Mia! (2025)
- Shrek the Musical (2023)
- Beauty and the Beast (2020)
- Crazy for You (2018)
- Legally Blonde (2017)
- Footloose (2015)
- Grease (2011)
- Bye Bye Birdie (2009)
- Annie (2008)
Each show has been praised for its polish, professionalism and high level of student performance, both onstage and behind the scenes.
While the Musical Theatre Program is not offered every year, it remains a signature opportunity for students interested in performing arts and production. Students who wish to join the musical theatre program must complete a regular course selection sheet on a year when the program is offered and clearly indicate their interest. They must also sign up for an audition, prepare the required materials and attend their scheduled audition.
Forms and notices will be posted on this page when available.
When is the program offered again?
The next full musical production is planned for February/March 2027, with rehearsals beginning in September 2026.
Auditions will be held in March 2026. Details will be posted on this page when available.
About the program
Students accepted into the musical theatre program are hand-scheduled into courses and receive course credits for their work. The program includes five collaborative streams:
- Cast stream – For students who want to sing, act and dance onstage. No experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Cast members take “Theatre Company (Musical Theatre)” and “Musical Theatre” classes, with extra time commitments close to performance dates.
- Crew stream: Leadership – For students interested in stage management, technical theatre, design, and production. Crew members lead behind-the-scenes efforts in sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound, marketing, and more. Extra time commitments required close to performance dates and during tech/performance weeks.
- Crew stream: Running crew – For students who want to work backstage during the performances. This group trains through the NWSS Theatre Tech Club (in partnership with Massey Theatre) and supports all technical operations during the show.
- Hair and makeup stream – For students interested in hair and makeup design. Students take part in the “Hair and Makeup IDS” course and are responsible for designing and executing the show’s looks.
- Orchestra stream – For advanced student musicians interested in playing in the live pit orchestra. Rehearsals are held weekly outside of school hours, with more time required leading up to the show. Musicians are selected through audition or by invitation.
Related courses
Courses offered by our department are based on the province’s arts education curriculum. Examples of available courses (may differ from year to year) include:
| GRADE 9 | GRADE 10 | GRADE 11 | GRADE 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drama 9 | Drama 10 | Theatre Company 11 | Theatre Company 12 |
| Musical Theatre Foundations 10 | Drama 11 | Drama 12 | |
| Theatre Production 10 | Musical Theatre Foundations 11 | Musical Theatre Foundations 12 | |
| Independent Studies 10 | Theatre Production 11 | Theatre Production 12 | |
| Independent Studies 11 | Independent Studies 12 | ||
| Directing and Script Development 11 | Directing and Script Development 12 |
For detailed course information, requirements, availability, etc., refer to the most current course description booklet.