A Standing Ovation for “The Ghost at the Grand”

A Standing Ovation for “The Ghost at the Grand” – A Silver Hills Original

Last night, Silver Hills Middle School was transformed into a bustling, laughter-filled theater as students took to the stage for a performance of The Ghost at the Grand—a completely original play written and directed by our very own drama teacher, Mrs. René BeVier Dill.

Set in a historic theater on the verge of closing its doors, the play follows a group of passionate performers trying to stage Shakespeare’s Hamlet, all while dealing with the antics of a cheeky, resident ghost named Wilhelmina. The story is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, and it captivated the audience from the first line to the final bow.

What made the evening even more special was learning that The Ghost at the Grand was not just any school production—it was born from Mrs. Dill’s deep love of theater and storytelling. She shared in her notes that the play was inspired by her own experiences working in community theater and her fascination with the rich histories of old performance spaces. The characters, she explained, “began to talk to her,” and she couldn’t resist bringing them to life. From the first draft to auditions, rehearsals, and opening night, Mrs. Dill poured her heart into this production, and it showed in every detail.

The performance itself was nothing short of fantastic. Our students brought the story to life with talent, timing, and enthusiasm that lit up the stage. Their comedic timing, emotional delivery, and obvious joy in performing made the evening truly worthwhile.

We extend a huge congratulations and thank you to Mrs. BeVier Dill for crafting such delightful and original work, to our student cast and crew for their dedication and incredible performance, and to the parents, families, and friends who filled the audience with energy and support. It was a beautiful reminder of how the arts bring us together and how powerful student creativity can be when nurtured by passionate educators.

Encore, Silver Hills. Encore!

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Photo Credit Ms. August

Special thanks to the Silver Hills Middle School community for submitting this Five Star Story.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: Diverse Learning. Sharing stories of how students receive engaging learning experiences and the focused-attention they need through appropriate student-to-staff ratios and varied programming.