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When the curtain rises tonight at South Lakes High School in Reston, students from 11 Fairfax County schools will share the stage with adult actors in a groundbreaking collaboration that’s reshaping summer theater in the region.
The production of “Dear Evan Hansen” marks the first joint venture between Fairfax County Public Schools students and the Reston Community Players, creating what organizers describe as a mentorship program that pairs young performers with experienced community theater veterans.
A Student’s Vision Becomes Reality
The partnership originated with Olivia Daugherty, a 2026 South Lakes graduate who approached her theater arts teacher, Michael Viola, about bringing a summer production to the school. Daugherty, who will study theater performance at Virginia Commonwealth University this fall, wanted something different from typical school productions.
“We wanted to make it a little different — have it as sort of a mentorship program,” said Daugherty, who was cast in the ensemble.
A key distinction: the program charges no participation fees, removing financial barriers for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Cross-County Collaboration
The cast draws from Centreville, Westfield, Oakton, Falls Church, South Lakes, Chantilly, McLean, West Potomac, and Annandale high schools, plus Langston Hughes Middle School. Students from Arlington also joined the production.
The Reston Community Players, typically based at Reston Community Center, provided financial backing and paired adult directors with student directors, adult music directors with student music directors, and adult actors with younger cast members.
“We have bonded with the kids, and so they’re getting real life experiences,” said RCP Vice President Katie Pond, who plays Cynthia Murphy in the production.
A Story That Resonates
The Tony Award-winning musical, which premiered at Arena Stage in Washington in July 2015, centers on an anxious high school student whose misunderstanding about a classmate who died by suicide spirals into deception.
Viola chose the show because its themes of family dynamics, friendship, and loneliness connect universally with audiences.
“While maybe not everybody can relate to some of the heavier subjects, they can understand what a family that’s dealing with loss and grief might look or feel like,” Viola said.
For Madelyn Regan, a Centreville High School graduate heading to the University of Michigan for vocal music, the material speaks directly to her generation’s experience with social media and isolation.
“It’s very easy to feel alone, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic,” Regan said. “This show speaks very directly to us. It’s a very important message that none of us are alone.”
Incoming South Lakes student Whitleigh Wilkes, performing in her first community theater production, valued the chance to work alongside adults in a professional creative environment.
“I love how I’ve gotten to meet these adults and be around them in their creative space — it’s been really inspiring,” Wilkes said.
The production runs six performances through Aug. 1 at South Lakes High School.