Directed by Lezlie Wade
On the Spriet Stage
September 22 to October 3, 2026
Opening Night: September 25
Program Sponsors:
London District Catholic School Board
Thames Valley District School Board
February 3, 2026 – London, ON – With guitars in our hands and rock in our hearts, the Grand Theatre is electrified to announce that School of Rock will be the 2026 Grand Theatre High School Project. In a company first, London and area’s most talented young artists will be rocking out, playing live music on stage – in addition to the familiar performance and production roles typically part of a Grand Theatre High School Project production. Applications to be part of the student company open today and close on March 30, 2026.
Based on the 2003 hit movie starring Jack Black (Tenacious D, A Minecraft Movie) and written by Mike White (The White Lotus, School of Rock) on stage features all of the movie’s contagious anthems as well as fourteen new original songs by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera).
“School of Rock is a fun, high-energy show and a chance for high school students to be playing instruments right on the stage, which is an exciting first for the Grand Theatre High School Project,” shares Rachel Peake, Grand Theatre Artistic Director. “It's a show about the strength of young people and about how your individuality - your weirdness - is your strength.”
The Grand Theatre High School Projectreturns for its 28th year, providing London and area high school students with education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre, at no cost to the participants. From September 22 through October 3, 2026, the Spriet Stage will transform into the super rockin’ world of Dewey Finn – and London’s talented teens will be his star pupils playing music live on stage, creating and running various production elements that bring the show to life.
School of Rock tells the story of Dewey Finn, a wannabe rockstar with no band, no job, and if he can’t make rent, no place to live – and possibly no best friend. Ready to try anything, he poses as a substitute teacher and takes a gig teaching fifth grade at Horace Green Prep. Demerits and grades aren’t his thing, but the noble quest to win a local Battle of the Bands brings this unlikely band of students and teacher together for the sake of rock glory – and extra credit.
To helm this year’s High School Project, award-winning Director Lezlie Wade returns to the Grand Theatre to bring this league of would-be rock legends to greatness. Wade previously directed Dream a Little Dream at the Grand Theatre in 2014/15, and has directed at the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Theatre Aquarius, Musical Stage Co., and beyond. Her production of Spamalot ranks as one of the longest-running shows in Stratford Festival history.
“With the help of a down-on-his luck guitarist, School of Rock is the inspirational musical that transforms a class of straight-A students into a mind-blowing rock band, unlocking their inner rebels,” shares Wade.
Wade is joined by Matthew Atkins as Music Director, who audiences will recognize as the Artistic Director of the London Gospel Collective and as the Music Director of Disney’s Newsies at the Grand Theatre last year. Choreographer Julius Sermonia (Broadway, Stratford, Shaw) also joins the production, in a much anticipated return to the Grand Theatre (Beauty and the Beast, Pig, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and last season’s smash-hit Waitress.)
The Grand Theatre is seeking students to make up the show’s company, which includes including acting and singing roles, exciting new onstage musician roles, and various production roles. Students interested in production roles may apply to work in one of several areas, including stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, carpentry, sound, and marketing. The program has historically created opportunities for up to 80 student participants.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The Grand Theatre invites London and area high school students to apply for the 2026 Grand Theatre High School Project. The project is open to any high school student from the London region who will be enrolled in high school in the fall of 2026 or participating in homeschooling.
For more information on how to apply to be part of the 2026 Grand Theatre High School Project, visit https://www.grandtheatre.com/participate-high-school-project.
Applications will close at 9 a.m. on March 30, 2026. Interested students are encouraged to apply now or register for a free information session to learn more.
Grand Theatre High School Project (HSP)
An acclaimed mentorship program unique in North America, the HSP began in 1998 with West Side Story.
The Grand Theatre High School Project offers an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre, at no cost to the participants. High school students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments (performance, musicianship, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, sound, and marketing), culminating in a production on the Grand's Spriet Stage. The initiative provides leadership, creative skills, and communication aptitude that serve these students on and off stage – in every area of their lives.
A true testament to the strength of the program and the promise of London’s youth, a number of generous London organizations have already come forward to support the 28th year of the project. The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges Program Sponsors Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board.
Tickets for the Grand Theatre High School Project production of School of Rock will be available for subscriber pre-sale following the launch of the not-yet-announced 2026/27 Season, and to the public in Summer 2026.
To learn more about the Grand Theatre High School Project, visit: grandtheatre.com/high-school-project . Additional facts, photos, and updates can also be found by following @thegrandlondon and #GrandSchoolofRock or #GrandHSP on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, YouTube, & TikTok.
The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional territories of the Original storytellers and caretakers of this land and the Nations, both settler and Indigenous, who continue to uphold the various treaties of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaap?ewak. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, share, and tell stories together.
ABOUT THE GRAND THEATRE – WORLD CURIOUS. LONDON MADE.
The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premier producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians.
As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series, community arts rentals, and cultural and special events.
A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project. As the first program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-seventh year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team.
For more information, visit: grandtheatre.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES
Melissa Mae Shipley, Communications and Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
office: 519.672.9030 x266
cell: 519.280.4008
