Theater Comes Full Circle for DMC Grad

When Grace Oliver (‘21) stepped off the DMC stage with the Mary Poppins cast during her senior year, she didn’t know she'd be stepping back on three years later in a new role. 

She landed the assistant director role of the play Camelot and Camelittle, which will debut in the DMC Performance Hall in April. As the assistant director, Grace is learning more about all of the behind-the-scenes details. Grace assists the cast and crew members during rehearsals, actively promotes the drama program, leads all of the set construction projects, and coordinates tasks for students and volunteers in several different crews.

“Being on this side of the production has opened my eyes to the sacrifices directors and coaches make because of how much they care for the students and want to see them be successful,” Grace said.

Grace graduated from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul in December 2023 with a Communication Arts/Literature Education degree. She is currently substitute teaching at DMC and other area schools until she finds a full-time high school English position. 

“The DMC community is incredible, and I’ve received so much support coming back,” she said. “I'm so grateful to God for the opportunity to work alongside the same role models I had growing up.”

Current Theater Director Manda Miller has directed Grace in multiple DMC productions. Grace performed in The Wizard of Oz (ensemble), The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (elf), and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins (Housekeeper Mrs. Brill). 

Mrs. Miller said, “Grace is a wonderful addition to the drama department! She cares deeply for the students and we share a mutual goal of seeing students live up to their full potential both on and off the stage. She brings a unique perspective as an alumni who was an  integral part of the department as a student not that long ago and now as an assistant director. Her kindness and hardworking nature illuminate every aspect of her role, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.” 

Grace first became interested in theater while watching the DMC production of Peter Pan during her freshman year at DMC. 

“I remember seeing my peers on the stage and thinking about how cool it would be to perform on that stage for a theater production. I was in show choir from seventh grade all the way through my senior year, but Peter Pan was the show that convinced me to specifically pursue theater. Looking back, I'm so glad I did it,” she said. “In addition to building a sense of community and belonging, theater challenges students to break out of their comfort zone, learn new skills, and grow in confidence.”

“One of my favorite memories from high school theater was singing worship songs backstage before each show. When everyone had the pre-show jitters, these moments were sweet reminders of God's goodness. Even today, from praying before every rehearsal to singing worship songs before performances, I love that our students continually desire to keep Christ at the center of it all.”