Under the direction of Aaron Potter, high school language arts teacher and head of theatre, and Jay Van, preschool teacher, the theatre program at Kalamazoo Christian High School (KCHS) has flourished into a close-knit group, performing two shows per school year: a play in the fall and a musical in the spring.

Senior, Bella Van Dis has been part of the theatre program all four of her high school years. After dancing from the age of five to Fourth Grade and taking a month-long, once-a-week improv class, Bella found her place on the stage in theater. Now, she prepares for her final show at KCHS. 

“I will always remember opening night of any show I do. I feel just alive, being on a stage telling a story to people,” Bella said. “For just a moment, being someone who I’m not, looking across a dark room after I’ve cracked a joke and the darkness returns with laughter or finishing an emotional soliloquy about growing up or about what true justice means and seeing people get emotional, dabbing teary eyes and taking deep breaths.”

“When I go into rehearsal in the band room or when I go into the auditorium we are performing at, I know I will be greeted with some inside joke or a running gag from the show. It’s like returning home.”

Bella’s favorite roles have been Molly from “Peter and the Starcatcher” or Mrs. Hubbard from “Murder on the Orient Express.”

“Molly was a young girl who was the boss onstage and off,” Bella said. “She was my first major role in theater and I will always cherish that show. The character of Molly has taught me how to embrace myself and to do my own thing.”

“Hubbard was also quite the character. She was loud, very mid-western and knew how to command a space. Despite the tomfoolery, Hubbard also taught me to be me and, honestly, I think we could all use that reminder.”

When Bella auditioned this year, it shocked her to be circling 12 as her grade level. “Being a senior in theater is very bittersweet,” she said. “I’m so happy to see all of the new actors in our program. I love to coach and guide

the freshmen and new actors, but I’m really sad that this is my last year to do shows with these people.”

Bella said, “Our directors, Mr. Potter and Mrs. Van, have done an amazing job creating an environment of family among the people in the program.”

As Bella leaves high school she hopes that theater and the arts continue to play a role in her life. She hopes to dual major in political science, creative writing or theater at a higher education institution.

This spring, Bella will be the assistant stage manager for “The Sound of Music,” helping put on the production with her theater skills and knowledge.

“The Sound of Music” will be performed by Kalamazoo Christian High School theatre students on Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21 at Comstock Auditorium.