Student Theater Highlights: Little Red Hen, The Reckoning, and Scenes from The Pilgrim’s Progress
Let’s check in with first grade, fourth grade, and junior high for their year-end student drama productions.
First Grade’s Little Red Hen—An Annual Tradition since 2014
On April 10, 2026, against a barnyard backdrop in the school gym, a small group of farm animals could be heard singing and shouting. “Work hard, bless others, and be blessed!” It’s the first grade class performing Little Red Hen once again.
“The first performance occurred in 2014,” reminisces Mrs. Molly Bravo, a first grade teacher and director of the performance. “Today it is a readers’ theater where students take on the role of different farm animals who refuse to help the little red hen.”
Mrs. Bravo has been teaching in GVCA’s first grade since 2008. Currently she teaches science and art, and has been involved with Little Red Hen productions from the start. “It is fun to get to know each class and see them grow into their roles. We start practicing in February, and it is a learning opportunity for the students to pray about a difficult task, and go out and perform. The kids love it.”
Thank you, Mrs. Bravo and all the first grade team!
GVCA Teacher and Alumna Writes and Directs New 4th Grade Play, The Reckoning
In late May 2026 the fourth grade class will debut The Reckoning, an original play penned and directed by Mrs. Sarah Trombly. The play is set in medieval times and promises all the intrigue of a dark and evil lord who schemes revenge against a good king by deceiving his subjects—but ends with a plot twist!
Mrs. Trombly holds a B.A. in English from UC Davis, an M.A. in English Literature from CSU Sacramento, and is also an alumna of Grace Valley Christian Academy. Since joining as staff in 2013, she has taught English in various grades and currently leads fourth grade. Aside from teaching Language Arts, she has written several original plays for her young students. Sharing her talent in drama is actually a full circle moment.
“As a student at GVCA in eighth and ninth grade I had my first opportunities to write, act, and help direct plays and discovered how much I love this type of art!” she says.
Why a drama production for fourth graders? “It provides the students a whole new angle in learning character traits and how a story is built—something we analyze in literature during the year,” states Mrs. Trombly.
On writing The Reckoning, Mrs. Trombly reflects, “It’s important to consider how many of our actions begin in the mind, and that this is really the first battlefield as we decide whether to pursue what is right or wrong. The Bible warns us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the word of God. This play tries to depict that.”
Thank you, Mrs. Trombly, and break a leg, fourth graders!
Junior High Bible Class Performs Scenes from The Pilgrim’s Progress
Seventh and eighth grade students will present a new play on a timeless classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, under the guidance of teachers Mr. Frank Thomsen, Mr. Marc Roby, and Mrs. Sarah Contreras.
Surprisingly, the production originates not from a drama course, but from a junior high Bible class. “The idea of the class is not a dry course with heavy homework. We want the students to explore Bible themes, get active, and be involved,” states Mr. Thomsen who co-teaches the class with Mr. Roby. “Last year we performed, The Life of Apostle Paul. The kids enjoyed it! This year we learned about John Bunyan’s biography and read Dangerous Journey (a retelling of Pilgrim’s Progress). Now the students will perform select scenes from the book.”
Students gain practice in public speaking and the unique skills of the stage. “Students learn to memorize lines and how to project their voice, which is not just raising the volume. They learn stage blocking, how to deal with unexpected errors spontaneously, and acquire confidence and poise,” states Mr. Thomsen. “The students are definitely into it.”
Scenes from The Pilgrim’s Progress is written, produced, and directed by Mrs. Sarah Contreras, who formerly taught English at GVCA for nearly twenty-five years. Mrs. Contreras has been a major influence in GVCA performing arts programs and continues to share her creative gifts for drama and playwriting with students today. The play will debut at GVCA’s Open House on May 7, 2026.