Arts

Fostering talent and cultivating curiosity

Whether behind the scenes or on stage, students broaden their intellectual diversity through artistic self-expression at De Smet Jesuit.

From serious artists pursuing their passion to beginning performers learning the basics, students at De Smet Jesuit are encouraged to consider the process of making art as important as the resulting product, gaining a capacity to try new things involving some risk.

Students can also explore music production, music appreciation, and film appreciation.

student plays guitar wearing headphones working on a keyboard with monitor in low lit room

Band

Concert band, jazz lab, beginning music, instrumental jazz, and more

Band

choir directing line of students singing in airport

Choir

Regular tours include Busch Stadium, the Old Courthouse, Catholic grade schools, all-school Masses, and special events

Choir

Studio Arts

Painting, graphic design, sculpting, drawing, water color, and even the occasional graffiti

Studio Arts

student lifts fist in air, reclining on stage

Theatre

Fall plays, spring musicals, public speaking, improv, and student-directed one-acts

Theatre

our students

Create Lead

Rich with opportunity, our program inspires multi-dimensional leaders eager to get involved and serve others.

High school might be about doing one thing particularly well because you're a gifted football player or a really good guitar player or a great artist or a great writer. But for most guys it's about trying all the things that you can try just to see what's a good fit. Ray Sherrock, Choir Director

Frequently Asked Questions

If I play a sport, does that mean I can't be involved in a play?
Kurt Knoedelseder, Drama Director

Not at all. We've set up the production schedule so that we have a production in each of the three sports seasons. So, if you play basketball, you could be involved in the Fall Play or the One Acts. If you play soccer, you could be involved in the Musical or One Acts. If you play baseball, you could do the Fall Play or Musical.

Fine Arts Faculty

Mike Callahan

Mike Callahan

Teacher
PhD, Philosophy & Film, St. Louis University
MA, Media Literacy, Webster University
BA, Theology, St. Louis University
Laurie Kohler

Laurie Kohler

Teacher
MA, Fine Art, Webster University
BS, Fine Art, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Emily Ledbetter

Emily Ledbetter

Teacher
BA, Art Education, Fontbonne University
Nicholas Moramarco

Nicholas Moramarco

Teacher, Theatre Director
MFA, Theatre, Lindenwood University
BA, Theatre and Russian, Beloit College
Ray Sherrock

Ray Sherrock

Teacher/Choir Director/Library Resources, Department Chair
BA, Music Education, New Mexico State University
Chris Welling

Chris Welling

Teacher
LLM, De Paul University College of Law
JD, St. Louis University
BA, History, St. Louis University School of Law