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.
our students
Create Lead
Rich with opportunity, our program inspires multi-dimensional leaders eager to get involved and serve others.
Join us for the one-act plays, band and choir concerts, and annual art exhibit during Fine Arts week!
Artwork from three Spartans will be on display at the St. Louis Artists' Guild for the Young Artists Showcase 2023!
Senior Alex Lewis wins first place in the U City in Bloom Plein Air Art Festival with a landscape he painted outside.
Combining meditation and art, students say yes to the exercise and deeper self-awareness in Studio Art class.
Student artwork invites interaction with a QR code component that shares lessons learned from art.
Spartan talent takes the stage and dominates the hallways with one act plays, an interactive art show, and the annual band concert during Fine Arts Week.
Enjoy this professionally-recorded audio version of the 1946 American movie classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, brought to you by the De Smet Dionysian Players.
Emmett Concannon '22 is one of 28 violinists selected to the Metro 8 District Honors Orchestra.
On tour with our talented singers this fall
Guitarist Aidan Bartholet ’21 and trumpeter Ryan Jones ’20 share thoughts on their passion for music and being selected for the Metro 8 District Band.
Two seniors selected for District Honors Choir
Students create quilt blocks and ride bike in art class to learn more about multiple sclerosis.
Artworks by two seniors receive awards and inclusion into exhibit at St. Louis Artists' Guild.
Thespians bring home another championship,
A St. Louis charitable campaign selected artwork by Kyle Matthes '20 to help raise awareness for the 100 Neediest Cases.
From Mass to the ballgame, our choir shares their gift.
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
Kurt Knoedelseder, Drama Director
Our girls come from many public and private schools across the St. Louis area.
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.
Kurt Knoedelseder, Drama Director
No experience necessary—everyone is welcome!
Kurt Knoedelseder, Drama Director
Acting, directing, lighting, sound, stage management, stage crew, etc.
Kurt Knoedelseder, Drama Director
We do a Fall Play (September-October), a Spring Musical (December-February), and Senior Directed One Act Plays (March-April).
Course Showcase
Open to students who have little or no singing experience.
Learning flexibility and problem solving in this active class on stage.
Acting students will focus solely upon the study of acting and will perform three or four scenes and monologues, continue reading plays, and explore theater history. Directing students will perform two scenes, and, with a focus upon directing, direct the Acting students in two scenes and monologues (and be eligible to direct the student one-act plays in the spring).
Preparing our students to communicate effectively.
Listening to musical examples, attending concerts, and written tests are part of class assignments. This is a performing class.
Fine Arts Faculty

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

Laurie Kohler
Teacher
MA, Fine Art, Webster University
BS, Fine Art, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
BS, Fine Art, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Nicholas Moramarco
Teacher, Theatre Director
MFA, Theatre, Lindenwood University
BA, Theatre and Russian, Beloit College
BA, Theatre and Russian, Beloit College

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

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