The students and educators of Jackson Middle School are preparing for a night unlike any other. On March 22, they will step onto the Prima Theatre stage to compete in Stage Brawl, an annual fundraiser that combines entertainment with community engagement. Their performance of The Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton is not just an artistic showcase but also a statement about the importance of arts education and the role it plays in shaping young minds.
Bringing the Community Together Through Theater
For Principal Jazmin Torres, the decision to participate was an easy one. “Prima Theatre has always been generous to our students,” she explains. “They invite us to their productions, offer discounted tickets, and make the arts accessible. When the chance to support them came up, we didn’t hesitate. This is our way of giving back to an organization that continuously welcomes our students.”
Torres’s relationship with Prima Theatre extends beyond this event. During the holiday season, she brought a group of Jackson students to a special Prima performance. “They had a candlelit show featuring different holiday songs, and it was beautiful,” she recalls. “I asked if they had any complimentary student tickets, and they did. The students who attended had an incredible experience, and that’s the kind of exposure we want to continue giving them.”
Stage Brawl is a unique event that brings together leaders from across Lancaster to compete in an evening filled with theatrical performances. Alongside Jackson Middle School, participants include professionals from Armstrong World Industries, Water Street Mission, The Bartos Law Group, and more. Each performance is a way to raise funds for Prima Theatre, with every dollar donated counting as a vote toward a contestant. The performer who raises the most will be crowned the champion.
Why Hamilton?
When it came time to choose a song, The Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton was the perfect choice. “I love Hamilton,” Torres says with a smile. “It speaks to our students. The music is energetic, the story is powerful, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work brings history to life in a way that feels relevant and exciting. The message of this particular song is about seeing the possibilities around you, even when times are uncertain. That’s something our students can really connect with.”
For Jasmine Rivera, a homeschool visitor for the district who will be performing as Angelica Schuyler, Stage Brawl is an opportunity to show students that the arts belong to everyone. “I wasn’t originally asked to do this,” she admits. “Someone else turned it down and said, ‘I know a performer,’ and that’s how I ended up here. But the truth is, I would have said yes immediately. I love performing, and I love sharing that passion with students.”
Rivera believes that students don’t always see adults in their lives engaging in creative activities. “They might not realize their teachers, principals, and school staff love theater too,” she says. “We want them to see that we don’t just encourage the arts, we participate in them.”
Sixth-grade science teacher Shayne Meadows, who also helps with Jackson’s school plays, echoes that sentiment. “You can’t tell kids that something is important and then not show them why. You have to lead by example,” he says. “I want our students to know that theater isn’t just something that happens in big cities—it’s something that happens right here in Lancaster. Supporting local arts means making sure young people see that they belong in these spaces.”
A Student’s Perspective
For eighth-grader Hailee Lyons, who will portray Peggy Schuyler, the experience is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. “I love musicals, but this is different from anything I’ve done before,” she says. “Last year, our school went to New York to see Hamilton on Broadway. We sang along the whole time. Now, getting to actually perform part of it feels like a full-circle moment.”
Lyons first connected with Hamilton when she spotted an Alexander Hamilton figurine in Principal Torres’s office. “I thought it was really cool,” she says. “Then when we got to see the show, it just made me love it even more. This performance is a chance to do something outside my comfort zone, and I wanted to be part of it.”
The Importance of Supporting the Arts
The Jackson Middle School team agrees that the arts, both in schools and in the community, are essential. “A lot of people don’t realize how much theater impacts students,” Meadows says. “It builds confidence, encourages collaboration, and allows students to express themselves in ways they might not in a traditional classroom.”
Rivera adds that the arts also create lasting memories. “Some students will remember a math lesson, some will remember a science project, but for others, it’s the time they got to be on stage, or the moment they saw a live show for the first time. Those experiences shape them.”
Torres hopes the Jackson Middle School community will rally behind their team as they prepare for Stage Brawl. “This isn’t just about us, it’s about showing support for the arts in Lancaster,” she says. “Every dollar donated counts as a vote for our performance, but more importantly, it helps keep theater accessible for students across the district.”
Jackson Middle School’s performance will be up against other community leaders, business professionals, and nonprofit representatives, all competing for the title of Stage Brawl champion. With energy, dedication, and a strong message behind them, the Jackson team is ready to make an impact on the Prima Theatre stage.
How to Support Jackson Middle School
To support Jackson Middle School and cast a vote for their performance, visit primatheatre.org/brawl. Virtual tickets are also available for those who want to watch from home. The event will be streamed live, allowing audiences across the country to witness Jackson’s team bring The Schuyler Sisters to life.
Event Details:
- Date: March 22, 2025
- Time: 6 PM Cocktail Hour, 7 PM Presentation
- Location: Prima Theatre, 941 Wheatland Avenue, Lancaster
- Virtual Tickets: $25, available at primatheatre.org/brawl
- To vote: https://onecau.se/stagebrawl
The evening will be filled with music, excitement, and inspiring performances, all to support Prima Theatre’s mission to provide fresh theatrical experiences for the Lancaster community. Don’t miss the chance to see Jackson Middle School’s educators and students take center stage for a night of entertainment and community support.