SSFS has a storied history of musical theater, beginning with Barry Morley. Since the School's founding in 1961, the performing arts at Sandy Spring have continued to grow and they remain central not only to the curriculum but also to the School's culture and identity.
For many SSFS alumni, singing in the chorus and participating in the annual Operetta was an identifying part of being a Sandy Springer and has continued to be for the generations of students who have followed. In 1996, a new tradition emerged—the Community Play. Much like the early Operettas, the annual Community Play gives all members of the SSFS community—students of all ages, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and others who are closely tied to the school—the opportunity to work together to produce a play or musical.
Community Play is recognized as a signature extra curricular program; it delivers a quality theatre experience that is both entertaining and educational for both participants and audience. A wide range of plays and musicals are selected from year to year based on their educational value and relevance to the school’s mission statement, Quaker values, and curriculum.