The Upper School Fall Play was 1984, adapted from George Orwell's timeless dystopian novel that explores the themes of mass media control, government surveillance, and totalitarianism. The play powerfully depicts the horrors of man's fate in a society surveilled by an all-powerful entity, where everything that is not prohibited is compulsory. 

Winston Smith (played by David Colin ’23) finds himself questioning the authority that governs him and his fellow citizens. When he meets the effervescent Julia (played by Zoe Sterling-Dixon ‘26), the two embark on a quest to break through the carefully surveilled world. Orwell himself once said, "The moral to be drawn from the dangerous nightmare situation is a simple one: Don't let it happen. It depends on you."

“The Drama and Dance Department is so proud of the cast and crew of 1984. From the meticulous staging to the powerful acting, the students created a deeply evocative experience and brought Orwell’s important, thought-provoking themes to life. This production serves as a testament to the fact that art does more than just entertain; it educates, inspires, and ignites productive conversation.”
— Jeff Hogan, US Drama Teacher