May 21, 2026
Graduating seniors reflect on theatre life, share future plans
Bloomington High School North (BHSN) senior Mika Granquist said the best part of musical theatre at her school is the community. This sentiment is shared by many students in music and performing arts programs in MCCSC schools.
“We have a lot of traditions, and I really connect with that,” said Grandquist. “That’s something I’ve come to value a lot in theatre — building friendships and community.”
Students share many traditions, including signing notes on each other’s show posters. They have dinner together before opening nights, cast parties after closing, and bring stuffed animals as their “first audience” for first dress rehearsals.
Grandquist grew up in a musical family and has always enjoyed dancing and singing. She joined BHSN’s musical theatre and chamber choir programs and has performed in a variety of productions. During her senior year, she had the opportunity to travel with the chamber choir to Puerto Rico.
“It was great. We got to meet other high school choir students and sing with them,” she said. “We also had opportunities to get to know each other. It was really cool just seeing how similar we are despite being so far away.”
Grandquist plans to keep performing through the summer before heading to Indiana University in the fall to study musical theatre. She chose IU’s theatre program for its strong sense of community among students — something that reminded her of her experience at North.
“I’m signed up to do another musical with BloomingArts Theatre Company over the summer which should be fun,” she said. “I want to take this opportunity outside of high school to explore more, have more freedom, and find out more about myself so I can blossom in college.”
Senior Neveah Johnson got involved in BHSN choir and theatre after years of dance and vocal training through the Bloomington Expressive Arts Training (BEAT) program.
“My favorite character I’ve ever played is Persephone from Hadestown,” she said. “I got to act beside a lot of people I didn’t know before. I love how theatre makes a community — the people you didn’t really talk to before, you’re cast together in a show, and now all of a sudden, you’re best friends.”
Johnson said the costume she wore as Persephone was “my favorite costume I’ve ever worn in my life.” It was designed by BHSN student Gray Andrews and created collaboratively with others from the theatre department.
“She’s a fashion designer and is super talented and amazing,” said Johnson. “There were so many layers. The whole skirt is covered in flowers … it was the most elaborate and beautiful costume ever.”
After she graduates from BHSN, Johnson plans to attend Indiana University and pursue a career in event planning and management.
“I’m not going into musical theatre, but I still really want to be in that world because I love it so much,” she said. “I do really want to audition for a Capella group Ladies First. That would be a really good way for me to continue singing while also making new friends. I’m also going to go see all of Mika’s shows!”
Johnson said she was interested in pursuing community theatre and helping to guide the next generation of young actors.
“I was in a Stages production earlier this year called Nevere’s Love Potion. It was not an entire, full adapted musical at the time, and I got to play Nevere. This year, they’re making it an actual stage musical, so if I can be invested in that, I totally want to!” she said. “I’m aged out of Stages since I’ll be a college student, so for the next Nevere, I want to be able to help her and give insight and be as much in the process as I can.”
Grandquist encouraged the community to support student theatre by attending shows. Upcoming events are advertised on the Bloomington North Theatre Instagram page. Shows next school year will be The Last Firefly and Fiddler on the Roof.
“We all work very, very hard. We’re here long hours,” she said. “There’s a lot you don’t see off stage, and I think that projects when you see us on stage. You can see how much fun we’re having. We’re all collectively passionate about what we do. Honestly, I think it’s really inspiring and would pull a lot of people in if they saw maybe one show.”
Johnson also offered advice to incoming theatre students.
“Be yourself, be confident. The audition room is not as scary as you think it is,” she said. “You always grow. If you don’t get the first audition, keep trying. I felt that I would never get a principal role, and here I am now having played Persephone and Caroline Rosewater, so it will happen.”
About Musical, Visual & Performing Arts Programs in MCCSC
The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) offers comprehensive K-12 arts programs that span musical, visual, and performing arts, culminating in high school programs that consistently rank among the top 5 statewide. MCCSC offers Elementary Strings program in addition to various band, orchestra and choir options in high schools and all three middle schools (Batchelor, Jackson Creek, and Tri-North). In addition, Fairview Elementary is an Arts Integration school — offering “choice” arts classes in addition to regular music, art, physical education, and Spanish classes.
Visit our Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High School South webpages to find upcoming events and performance calendars for Hoosier Youth Philharmonic, Theatre South, Sounds of South, Panther Regiment, BHSN Theatre, and more.