Performing Arts Archives

About

Ashley Hall is a jewel in the heart of downtown Charleston. But it’s not our historic buildings and oak-canopied grounds that make our campus so special. It’s our students. And our exceptional program and faculty. And the vibrant learning community that together they create. Ashley Hall is a community that challenges, celebrates and supports young women at every stage of their education. Explore this section to learn more about our mission, our history, and our vision for the girls of the 21st century and beyond.

Programs

An Ashley Hall education reflects a thoughtful and developmentally appropriate approach to the teaching and learning process. Our program is designed to meet the needs of the individual student, recognizing and honoring how she learns best. We call it a Learning Spiral— a continuum of concepts and interwoven, spiraling progression of academic mastery. Take a look and explore our spiral to learn more.

Admission

An Ashley Hall girl is her own person. She brings with her unique talents, needs, dreams and hopes. And just like our students, our admission process is also unique. We want to get to know every applicant to ensure Ashley Hall is the perfect fit. All the details are here.

Alumnae

The Ashley Hall Alumnae Association is one of the ongoing gifts of an Ashley Hall education. Our graduates become part of a network of dynamic women across the globe who are doing incredible things. We want to keep in touch, and this section of our website is your invitation to connect.

The 2024 Ashley Hall Christmas Play

From trimming the tree to baking cookies, holiday traditions powerfully unite us during this special season. At Ashley Hall, our school family’s most cherished (and long-standing) tradition is the annual Christmas Play. On Dec. 12, 2024, 160 Ashley Hall students of all ages gathered in the historic and ethereal St. Matthew’s Church to perform this beloved production for the 100th time.

First presented in 1924 under the direction of school founder Mary Vardrine McBee, Ashley Hall’s annual Christmas Play has brought the medieval Chester Mystery Plays to life with our student’s creativity, passion, and artistic excellence.

From the dancing jesters to the angelic Red Choir, this beautiful retelling of the Nativity story has remained a cornerstone of the Ashley Hall experience for generations of students, families, alumnae, faculty, and the greater Charleston community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening. Your support makes this timeless tradition possible. And, of course, bravo to our hard-working students who shone brightly on and off stage. We’re grateful to have shared this special moment with all who could join us.

Relive the Centennial Performance of The Christmas Play

Watch the full performance video (including alumnae telegram readings!)

View production photos

Read Ashley Hall Alumnae Christmas Play Telegrams

100 Years on Stage: The Ashley Hall Christmas Play by Helen Kourtidis ’26

Ashley Hall Performing Arts Department presents
Faculty, Family & Friends Concert
featuring Head of School, Jill Muti
Sunday, April 24 | 2:00 p.m.

Jill Muti

Ashley Hall celebrates the talent of its exceptional faculty and guest artists. This afternoon concert also pays tribute to outgoing Head of School Jill Muti as she takes the stage in her final Ashley Hall performance.

Artists Featured:

This classical program includes works by Chopin, Corigliano, Poulenc, and Quantz.

New Performance Location: 159 Rutledge Avenue, Ashley Hall’s New Performing Arts Building

Reservations are now closed for this concert. Thank you.

There is limited parking at 159 Rutledge Avenue. Best parking availability will be in Ashley Hall’s lot on Ogier Street.

The ability of dance to stir emotions and build connections was evident during this year’s first performance of The Caterpillar Thriller, an original story-in-dance featuring dancers from second through sixth grades. Written and staged by Lower School faculty member Stephanie Christensen, The Caterpillar Thriller presents a powerful message that “being odd’s not bad” and if we remain true to who we are, we will ultimately find others who are just like us.

Students, parents, faculty, and staff were enchanted by the heart-warming story of a little caterpillar’s journey to grow into her true self and discover her own place within the world. Gorgeous costumes and lively music created the perfect atmosphere for a captivating display of dance. An Ashley Hall favorite, The Caterpillar Thriller has been performed on campus on two previous occasions to capacity audiences. You do not want to miss this year’s memorable performance! Future showtimes are May 17 at 7:00pm and May 19 at 3:00pm in Davies Auditorium. Each performance is free, with RSVPs requested. Online RSVPs are now closed, so please arrive early to the performances to ensure your spot. To learn more about the Lower School, click on the button below.

The Lower School at Ashley Hall

Attendees of this year’s String Fling at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul weren’t prepared for the heartwarming and emotional program that unfolded. In addition to performances by the Kindergarten and Pre-First Strings as well as the Lower School Orchestra and Fifth through Eighth Grade Orchestra, Upper School students played a superb rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and selections from the Lion King. Interspersed between the music selections, sixth graders served as emcees.

Particularly inspiring in their performance was the Senior String Quartet, and senior Loulou Byars gave a moving presentation to Head of School Jill Muti. As Byars said, “Fourteen years ago Mrs. Muti arrived at Ashley Hall and quickly became an important part of our family. The following year, the Class of 2018 entered kindergarten, and Mrs. Muti implemented the new strings program, a program that has had an immense impact upon my own life and the lives of countless others in the Ashley Hall community.”

Afterward, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church as Performing Arts Chair Liz Dinwiddie and the Upper School Chamber Ensemble played for the four graduating seniors of the Senior String Quartet. These girls have been a part of something special that Mrs. Muti started fourteen years ago and represent the limitless possibilities for everyone at Ashley Hall. PQV!

THE CATERPILLAR THRILLER
written and directed by faculty member, Stephanie Christensen
featuring dancers from 2nd through 6th grades

The Caterpillar Thriller reminds us that “being odd’s not bad”—that one creature’s being different from others doesn’t justify its being abused and treated as an outcast. Further, the story advises that hard as it is sometimes to do so, if we remain true to who we are, we will ultimately find others who are like us.

An Ashley Hall favorite, The Caterpillar Thriller has been performed on campus on two previous occasions to capacity audiences. They were as astounded and moved by the dancers’ wonderful performances as they were by the heart-warming, original story-in-dance itself. Don’t miss it!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
presented by the Performing Arts Department
An Ashley Hall tradition, presented on the lawn in front of the Bear Cave!

Thursday, April 19 at 7:00pm | $5 performance only (online tickets for this performance are now closed, please purchase your tickets at the door)
Saturday, April 21 at 7:00pm | $5 performance only or $15 performance and BBQ

Shakespeare (the Bard!) returns to the lawn of the Bear Cave with the Ashley Hall Performing Arts Department’s lively production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Saturday’s performance will feature a pre-performance “BBQ with the Bard Picnic” on the lawn beginning at 5:00pm. Click on the button below to purchase your tickets.

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Ashley Hall is a K-12 independent school for girls, with a co-ed preschool, committed to a talented and diverse student population. We consider for admission students of any race, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin.