The Arts
A SYMPHONY OF CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION
At the Merle-Smith Campus, artistic expression is central to who we are. Through more than 20 specialized courses spanning studio art, theater, and music, Upper School students have the freedom to customize their creative path and explore new passions. Guided by expert faculty and energized by a culture of curiosity, our student artists build confidence, hone their skills to an advanced level, and discover their unique creative voice.
Dynamic Performing Arts Scene
The performing arts take center stage at Moravian Academy, giving students opportunities to showcase their talents, creativity, and collaboration. Our three-show season begins with Coffeehouse, a grand-scale Upper School tradition, followed by winter and spring productions spanning diverse musicals and classic literature, from Shakespeare to Stoppard.
A long tradition of Freddy Award recognition reflects the excellence of our student artists, most recently with seven nominations and two awards for The Drowsy Chaperone in 2025 and three nominations for Me and My Girl in 2026.
Announcing the Upper School Musical Winter 2027: Pippin
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Originally produced on Broadway by Stuart Ostrow and directed by Bob Fosse, Pippin follows a young prince searching for an extraordinary life. Guided by a mysterious troupe of performers, he explores glory, power, love, and the question of what makes life meaningful.
Filled with humor, spectacle, and theatrical magic, this musical invites us to consider what it means to find our own “corner of the sky.”
Pippin is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
FREDDY© Awards
Moravian Academy’s Upper School Theater program is a place where creativity, collaboration, and excellence come alive. Our students explore every aspect of theater—from acting and ensemble work to technical design and production—developing confidence, artistic skill, and a love for storytelling.
The program has earned widespread recognition at the FREDDY© Awards, honoring outstanding high school theater in the Lehigh Valley.
2026 Freddy Awards Nominations:
Our production of Me And My Girl received 3 nominations, recognizing student talent on stage, behind the scenes, and in leadership:
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Ensemble Member (Danial Siddiqui as Herbert Parchester)
- Outstanding Technical Contribution by a Student (Ila (Harvey) Morrow, Costume Designer)
- lehighvalleylive.com Student Achievement Award (Sarah Carter, Stage Manager)
These nominations highlight the exceptional talent, dedication, and teamwork of our students and faculty in bringing high-quality theater to the stage.
Other Recent Achievements Include:
- 2025: The Drowsy Chaperone received 7 nominations and won two Freddy Awards: Outstanding Overall Production by a Smaller School and Outstanding Technical Design by a Smaller School. Additional nominations recognized ensemble and featured performances, costumes, and small ensemble performance.
- 2024: The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy earned multiple Freddy nominations, including Outstanding Overall Production and individual performance honors.
- 2023: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was recognized for Outstanding Overall Production, lighting, and featured performances.
Harmonious Musical Traditions
Music has always been at the heart of Moravian history and culture, and that tradition comes alive in our Upper School music program. Students can join three vocal ensembles, four instrumental ensembles, and three handbell choirs, performing at Coffeehouse, the Vespers service, and the Spring Choral and Instrumental Concerts.
Our musicians regularly earn spots in the highly competitive Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals, most recently with four students selected for All-District Band and Orchestra in 2025 and three singers advancing to the PMEA Region V Chorus Festival.
Vibrant Visual Arts
The visual arts give Upper School students the space to experiment, take creative risks, and develop a distinctive artistic voice. Students explore a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, woodworking, darkroom and digital photography, and filmmaking, building both technical skill and creative confidence.
Our student artists earn regional and national recognition through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, most recently with two Gold Keys, the highest regional honor, and two Silver Keys at the 2026 East Central PA Scholastic Art Awards.
Scholastic Art Awards
Moravian Academy’s Upper School Visual Arts program is a place where imagination, technique, and personal expression come together. Our students explore a wide range of media—from drawing and painting to ceramics, photography, and design—building artistic skill, creative confidence, and a distinctive personal voice.
Our artists have earned regional and national recognition through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.
2026 Scholastic Art Awards Success:
Moravian Academy students earned two Gold Keys, the highest regional honor, at the 2026 East Central PA Scholastic Art Awards. Gold Key works automatically advance to compete at the national level:
- Gold Key: Nurbanu Calis ’27, Sarah (charcoal drawing)
- Gold Key: Varshini Kommireddy ’29, Between Worlds (painting)
Additional recognition included:
- Silver Key: Nurbanu Calis ’27, 13 Years Ago (painting)
- Silver Key: Nurbanu Calis ’27, Pearl (fashion)
Award-winning works were featured in the regional exhibition at the Miller Gallery at Kutztown University.
These honors highlight the exceptional creativity, skill, and dedication of our student artists and the faculty who support them.
Other Recent Achievements Include:
- 2024: Claire Liu ’28 earned a Gold Key, qualifying her work for the National Juried Art Show. Makayla Maeding ’28 earned a Silver Key and three Honorable Mentions, and Audrey Douglas ’28 earned a Silver Key.
