This spring, the Musical Theatre Department at York School will present Hairspray, the Tony Award–winning musical that blends an infectious, pop-infused score with a bold message about inclusion, racial justice, and the courage to challenge the status quo.
Directed by Performing Arts Director Spencer Williams, Hairspray brings together students from York School and All Saints Day School, marking a meaningful collaboration between the two school communities. Five All Saints Day School students will join York performers onstage, reinforcing the production’s central themes of unity, shared voice, and collective action.
Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big dreams and an even bigger heart, as she fights for integration on a popular television dance program. With a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, the musical remains both joyfully entertaining and urgently relevant.
“This show matters,” said Williams. “Hairspray invites young people to examine how systems of exclusion operate — and how courage, allyship, and joy can become tools for change. Producing this musical allows our students to engage deeply with history while also reflecting on the world they are inheriting and shaping right now.”
The creative team for Hairspray brings together experienced artists dedicated to student-centered, professional-level storytelling. The production features direction by Williams, choreography by Geoffrey Alexander, music direction by Dan Goldsmith, with a design team led by Scott Boynton (Set Design), Justin Kelley-Cahill (Lighting Design), Kevin Askeland (Sound Design), and Valerie Rhoades and Linda Lyon (Costume Design). Together, the team is guiding students through a rigorous rehearsal process that mirrors professional theatre standards while prioritizing education, care, and collaboration.
The inclusion of All Saints Day School students further strengthens the production’s impact. “This collaboration is more than logistical,” Williams added. “It reflects the heart of Hairspray — bringing communities together, amplifying young voices, and building something larger than any one group could do alone.”
Opening Night on Friday, April 24th, will also mark a major celebration of the visual arts at York School. From 6:00–7:00pm in the Coburn Library, the school will host the Opening Reception for its Spring Art Show, featuring student work from grades 9–12. The exhibition highlights artwork from Foundations of Art, Studio Art 2: Painting and Drawing, Studio Art 3, and AP Art, showcasing a wide range of mediums and artistic voices.
In a special professional collaboration, the Spring Art Show will also feature work by respected local artist Jan Wagstaff, creating a meaningful bridge between student artists and the broader Monterey arts community. Wagstaff’s inclusion provides students with the opportunity to see their work displayed alongside an established professional artist, reinforcing York School’s commitment to real-world artistic connection and mentorship.
The Spring Art Show will remain on display in the Coburn Library throughout the run of Hairspray, inviting audiences to experience a full celebration of the performing and visual arts in one shared campus event.
In addition to its joyful score and high-energy dance numbers, Hairspray offers students the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about representation, equity, body positivity, and activism — themes that resonate strongly with today’s youth. Through rehearsals, discussions, and performance, students are challenged not only as performers but as thoughtful, empathetic artists and citizens.
York School’s production of Hairspray, paired with the Spring Art Show, reflects the school’s deep commitment to ambitious storytelling, experiential learning, and inclusive collaboration — ensuring that students experience the arts not simply as performance, but as a powerful catalyst for dialogue, community, and growth.
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