We’re Ready to Inspire: Mount Pleasant Middle School for the Visual and Performing Arts

At Mount Pleasant Middle School for the Visual and Performing Arts, core subjects lay the foundation for every student's education while a strong emphasis on artistic pursuits encourages them to explore their creative potential.

“Our school is a unique little place, a hidden gem within Maury County,” said Molly Anderson, a dance teacher who has been with the school for 13 years. “We offer so many creative programs that the students can be part of, and that’s so special, especially at the middle school age. A lot of middle schoolers are trying to figure out who they are, and to get to be a part of these activities and provide them with that space is really valuable.”

Molly Anderson, dance teacher, Mount Pleasant Middle School

Students at the school span 5th-8th grade, and each has the opportunity to participate in dance, theater, band and visual arts classes as part of their regular schedule. Fifth graders begin their journey at the school by rotating through each of the different programs to get familiar with the art forms. From there, they can pick an area they would like to focus on. 

“That’s a fun spot of my job,” said Anderson. “I get to be the one to introduce things to them. I can see a bit of the hesitation in them, especially in the boys. I try to relate it to sports, try to have loud, fun music and get moving across the room, just something that’s so different from what they normally think of as school.”

In the dance program, Anderson tries to incorporate as many different styles as possible, from jazz and ballet to modern dance and hip-hop. She also focuses on fitness and conditioning. 

The theater program begins in a similar fashion with an introductory phase for new students. 

Josh Davis, theater teacher, Mount Pleasant Middle School

“We do the basics of what it is, why do we do it,” said Josh Davis, theater teacher at Mount Pleasant Middle School. “We study pantomime, mime, and a bit of improv. We do some reader’s theater to get them on stage. We do some technical work, costume design and set design just to get them thinking about theater.” 

Once students move into 6th, 7th and 8th grade, the programs become more intensive, with students putting on performances and leading productions. Eighth graders in the dance program, for example, choreograph a dance to debut at the program’s spring show.

“They select their own groups and make it all up themselves,” said Anderson. “I have a long list of criteria. We do full choreography check-ins, design their lights, pick their music and pick their costumes.”

In the theater program, students not only star in productions throughout the year, but they lead all of the behind-the-scenes work as well.  

“It gives them a wonderful, wonderful opportunity to really get involved,” said Davis. “We want to get kids in the spotlight, but that doesn’t necessarily mean on stage. We teach technical skills as well — sound booth, lights, set design and set changes.”

The goal is to build confidence, to get students thinking creatively and to instill a love for the arts.  

“I get a lot of kids who are really shy, and they’re so nervous to have to think about getting on stage with other people,” said Anderson. “To see them transform and build that confidence inside of them is so beautiful.”

Davis agrees with that sentiment, keenly aware of the impact that the arts can have on a student’s confidence and motivation.

“It really validates you as a teacher,” he said. “There are days when you go home, and you wonder, ‘Am I making a difference?’ But you put them on the stage, and a couple kids always say that this theater class is the reason that I came to school today.”