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Theatre

Students Performing Matilda

Students find remarkable opportunities to express their theatrical talents—on stage, as well as behind the scenes—at Mercersburg Academy. 

Whether students are new to theatre or veterans to the stage, our academic classes allow them to develop their technique and learn new skills. Students can focus on character development, learn safe non-contact combat mimes in stage combat, use their voice more effectively in speech, and hone their skills as actors. 

Stony Batter Players

Named for President James Buchanan's nearby birthplace, Stony Batter is our student theatre company and a lab for students to apply what they learn in the classroom. Each year, the company presents four major theatrical productions in the Burgin Center's two theatre spaces—the Simon Theatre and the Hale Studio Theatre—as part of the Academy's performance group activity.

A Legacy of the Stage

Founded in 1894, Stony Batter Players is the oldest continually active student group on campus and has a powerful artistic tradition. Notable alumni who continued working in theatre and film after Mercersburg include Academy Award winners Jimmy Stewart ’28 and Benicio Del Toro ’85. Countless other alums’ involvement in Stony Batter (including Anne Reeder Bertram ’00, Matteo Scammell ’07, and Patrick Morgan ’08) has influenced their careers and pastimes beyond Mercersburg as actors, dancers, singers, and entertainers.

The Stony Batter performers from the 1980s.