Ladue Middle School (LMS) recently hosted its first fully student-led staged reading, marking a new experience for the school’s Drama Club. The performance, The Help Desk, was organized, cast, and directed entirely by students, with 8th grader Vince Meyer taking the lead on the project.

Since January, students volunteered their time after school to bring the show to life. Vince coordinated auditions, made casting decisions, and directed the piece based on his own creative approach.

"I'm very passionate about theater, and it really was about just having the space for someone to say, I will direct this. Who will join me?" Vince said. "There’s been a lot of collaboration with Mr. Brown and Mrs. Smith, and I'm so happy to be a part of this district and have this opportunity and creative freedom.”

Seventh-grade student Adriana Popu, who acted in the show, appreciated the peer-led format:

"It’s very different from an adult-led production, but you’re working with people who understand you. That helps us support each other and stay focused on the same goals. I think it's incredible that we're given this opportunity when other schools may not have it, and that we should respect it and that we should appreciate it for all it's worth."

Actor Dylan Stand, also in 7th grade, said participating in the play helped him feel connected after moving to the district.

“In my experience, people underrate school plays and the impact they can have,” he explained.
“I just moved here, and it's really cool to be a part of something like this. The actors are all really good at what they do, and Vince is a great director.”

The performance was well received, and the team behind it had to solve challenges quickly. According to Emily Smith, Theatre & Performance teaching assistant, Vince had just one afternoon to set up the lighting. Several backstage crew members even joined on the day of the show and helped keep things running smoothly.

"The energy during the performance was incredible," Smith said. "Our student actors were highly focused, and our backstage crew also deserves a huge round of applause. Looking ahead, I hope to continue this tradition with another student-led production at the end of the next school year. My goal is to provide our students with even greater support and exposure.”

Drama Club sponsor and LMS World Languages teacher La’Ondrill Brown said the club provides a valuable creative outlet for students with different interests and talents.

“What's great about Drama Club is that it gives students a chance to express themselves in many different ways,” he detailed. “Our actors, dancers, singers, artists, and technical folks really pour a lot of energy into the presentations we do each year. What's exciting is seeing what they come up with. Sometimes it's variety, sometimes it's a play, and sometimes it's something completely unique. I hope to see our Performing Arts programs expand further in the future!”

This student-led production reflects Ladue Schools’ commitment to empowering student voice, fostering leadership, and providing real-world learning experiences that prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Congratulations to the LMS Drama Club on a job well done. 

Check out more photos of their production on the Ladue Schools Facebook page.