Weekly Message from HOS 2025/12/08-2025/12/12

Dear Keystonians, 

I am writing this letter filled with the joy of Thursday night’s opening performance of Lotus Lantern, this year’s Primary School Chinese musical. With two shows left, I highly recommend you join us at the Keystone Performing Arts Center at 6 PM on Friday or 3 PM on Saturday.  

The story is a beautiful testament to the power of love, persistence, and knowing one’s own strength. Everything—from the choreography and sets to the costumes, music, and acting—was simply fabulous. You don’t want to miss it.  

When I attend performances in the PAC, of course I love watching the students on stage, and the impact of the kids backstage and in the booth, but I am equally captivated by our students and families in the audience. On Thursday night, the theater was full, and it was amazing to witness the sheer delight in the children watching their friends and schoolmates put on this grand production.  

I was also deeply impressed by what a wonderful audience our community is. The magic of theater is not transactional; it is a shared experience in time and space. Our Performing Arts Center is built to facilitate these beautiful moments of collective presence. Learning to be a respectful and appreciative audience member is a vital part of a Keystone education, and credit for this culture goes to our amazing PAC team, who have built systems to ensure every viewing experience is a pleasant one.  

One of the most powerful moments of the night came at the end of the show, when our faculty director, Ms. Queenie, invited a group of 11th-grade students to the stage. They had performed in the same play when they were in elementary school at Keystone. Introducing themselves and sharing their former roles, these “big kids” did more than support the younger students—their mere presence demonstrated the incredible journey our children make throughout their time here. Seeing them stand beside the current cast was like witnessing a time machine, and it was breathtaking.  

Earlier that day, I enjoyed a Middle School House assembly (Go Wood!), where we heard speeches from the House Captain candidates. There, too, I was moved by the way students supported one another, building a shared sense of community and camaraderie.  

These experiences highlight one of the school’s greatest strengths: the power of the ensemble. Our students learn not only how to shine in the spotlight but also how to be part of an attentive, supportive audience. They learn that every role matters—whether you are on stage delivering a line, backstage managing a prop, or in the seats sharing a collective gasp, laugh, or applause. It is in these shared spaces that they practice empathy, patience, and collective joy, understanding that a community’s strength is built on both individual contributions and a shared commitment to lifting each other up.  

I am so grateful to be part of a community that creates and values these moments together. 

Warmly, 

Emily