Photography by © Jason Sung ’25
The Storm King School Performing Arts Department brought S. E. Hinton’s classic coming-of-age story to the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre this spring. Two powerful performances of The Outsiders captured the raw emotion and social tension between two rival groups of teens—the Greasers and the Socs—set against the backdrop of 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Told through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis, a sensitive and thoughtful Greaser, the play follows his journey after he and his best friend Johnny are attacked by a group of Socs. A split-second act of self-defense sets off a chain of life-altering events, leading the boys to seek refuge and, ultimately, to confront their identities and the harsh realities of their world.
“This play is about emotional honesty and connection,” explained Performing Arts Chair Anne Fulton. “It’s about teenagers dealing with trauma, grief, loyalty, and the need to belong. The cast really committed themselves to learning their parts and telling the story sincerely.”
Santiago S. ’26 gave a compelling performance as Ponyboy, drawing the audience into his inner world. Kaitlyn M. ’27 played Johnny with quiet strength and depth, while Adrian Y. ’27 as Dallas brought intensity to the performance. Lorelei D. ’29 stood out as Darry, the older brother trying to hold a fractured family together. Antonio R. ’26 added charm as Sodapop and Andrea L. ‘25 was a strong presence as Cherry, the Soc who sees across the gang divisions.
“Our cast really understood the underlying message in this story,” Fulton said. “They weren’t just reciting lines—they were feeling the pain, hope, and courage of their characters. We were really pleased to see how well they worked together on stage.”
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of students under Eliza Brown’s direction brought the show to life. From stage management and technical direction to costumes and set construction, every aspect of the production was carefully thought out. “It was a real community effort. I’m grateful to the crew, the staff, and the families who supported our students. And I’m very proud of how the cast brought this iconic story to life,” continued Mrs. Fulton.
Congratulations to the cast for their outstanding performances and thank you to all of the faculty, staff, and parents who supported our student-actors and the show. A special thanks to the stage and lighting crew for making the show happen behind the scenes.
