Theater Wraps Up Season with The Addams Family Musical
May 14, 2025
This spring, the Cretin-Derham Hall Theater Department wrapped up its season with a production of The Addams Family in the Lillian Theater. The show brought together students from theater, choir, and band, with director Cullen Wiley ‘16 leading the way. The result was a production full of energy, quirky charm, and community spirit.
Wiley, a CDH graduate, just completed his first full year of directing. “It felt great,” he said. “It was so rewarding to see how much the students have grown since the beginning of the year.” The students didn’t just grow as performers - they grew closer as a group too. Wiley emphasized that one of the most rewarding aspects of the year was watching students create a welcoming environment. “There was never a moment where it felt like a grade divide or that anybody was unwelcome.”
One of the standout features of this show was its collaboration across performing arts departments. Wiley explained that involving students from choir and band “created a sense of community… students got to work with and get to know other students they maybe would have never interacted with otherwise.”
For cast member Ellie Nelson, one moment stood out above the rest. “My favorite moment would have to be the final bow on our closing performance,” she said. She described the feeling of unity, pride, and joy as the entire cast stood together one last time, their hard work finally recognized. “The people, the effort, the resilience, the dedication, and the love shared by the whole cast and crew made the last bow stand out.”
The production also introduced a new feature: dinner theater night, which served as a fundraiser for next year’s theater trip to New York City. According to Wiley, it was a hit and will likely become a tradition.
Behind the scenes, students bonded over long rehearsals, late-night prop fixes, and laughter-filled tech weeks. “We had so much fun working on this show together,” Wiley shared. That camaraderie was visible on stage, where strong performances and seamless teamwork brought the Addams family - and their wonderfully weird world - to life.
As Wiley looks ahead to the next season, he’s excited about continuing the momentum. “Students are taking a step out of their comfort zones and trying something new,” he said. “Next season will offer shows that are recognizable and will be exciting for everyone!”
Students from band, choir, and theater are already looking ahead to an exciting trip to New York City planned for April 2026. Want to enjoy a great meal while supporting CDH Performing Arts? Dine at MyBurger on Tuesday, May 20, between 4–8 p.m., and mention CDH Performing Arts - or use the promo code FUN when ordering online - and a portion of your purchase will help fund their journey to NYC.
All photos on this page courtesy of Josie Dahlheimer ‘27.