What Are the Benefits of Private Online High School for Aspiring Actors?

July 17, 2026

Middle and high school students who actively aspire to a career on the stage or screen often find their auditions, training, rehearsals, and performances conflict with their school’s daily schedules.

These students care about their academic lives as much as their extracurricular passions, but their unpredictable schedules make learning at a traditional school a challenge. They end up missing hours and days away from classes. 

Dwight Global Online School student actors and performing artists, Gaviana Obaid ‘27 and Julian Hirshfield ‘32, have found a successful solution at their online private high school. 

Dwight Global, the number one ranked online private school in the United States, is the online program of the 150-year-old Dwight School in NYC, part of the Dwight Global Network, with eight physical campuses worldwide.  

Dwight Global’s scheduling flexibility and committed support from faculty and school leadership allow students to maximize their days and pursue their craft, without sacrificing excellence in their rigorous academics.

“My teachers have been incredibly supportive of me pursuing my passion,” said Gaviana, who came to Dwight Global at the beginning of her junior year. “For example, before I started a recent run for The Wizard of Oz, which had a demanding schedule with rehearsals lasting 9-12 hours six days a week and then having 8-9 shows a week, I was able to meet with my teachers who helped me make a plan to still succeed in school.”

Gaviana has been involved in the performing arts for “as long as I can remember,” she said. She started dancing when she was very young and participated in several community theatre productions. At age eight, she began training in film acting, both in Texas, where she is based, and in Los Angeles. In the last five years, Gaviana has focused her dance and singing training on musical theatre. She has performed in numerous community and professional productions, playing roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.

As an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program student at Dwight Global, Gaviana performs at a high level academically, as well. The IBDP is a challenging two-year program for juniors and seniors in high school, and the IB is known and respected around the world for its excellence and university preparation.  

“During The Wizard, I was able to join different sections of certain live lessons that I would miss,” said Gaviana. “My music teacher, Mr. Simone, guided me through which assignments were most important to focus on, and since I was pursuing music outside of school, allowed me to use the music I was working on outside of school for his course. During this crazy time, my teachers were incredibly supportive, responsive, and available to meet with me if I needed it. My dean, Ms. Herran, was an excellent source of guidance. She met with me multiple times throughout the process and helped me communicate with my teachers.” 

Gaviana said Dwight Global has been a step up in academics from her previous private school. She is greatly appreciative of the change, and has met the academic challenge. Her long-term goals are to double major in musical theatre and business in college. This summer, she will be heading to Northwestern University’s National High School Institute, a competitive summer program for theatre, film, debate, and scriptwriting.
 

“The IB allows me to explore interdisciplinarily and pushes me to think deeply and analytically. Dwight Global is simply the best across the board: best faculty, best classes, best personalized support. I am far more prepared for college than I would have been had I remained at my previous school. My college counselors have been extremely responsive and helpful, too. I’ve enjoyed my time immensely,” Gaviana said.

Dwight Global Middle School and Performing Artists

Dwight Global is also able to help middle school students achieve their dreams in performing arts, as the school enrolls students beginning in sixth grade and has a dedicated middle school headed by experienced educator and school leader Sara Crucet.  The youngest performing artists often have rehearsals and shows that end late at night, making the benefits of a flexible schedule especially appreciated.

A sixth grader based in Franklin, Massachusetts, Julian has been performing for five years already, and hopes to make a professional career in the performing arts. In addition to musical theatre, Julian plays classical piano and has won competitions for his playing. 

“Dwight understands that musical theater and doing shows are my passions and priorities, so when I have to be in classes or rehearsals, or if I have a full schedule of shows, Dwight allows me to do that without having to stress about skipping classes or needing an extension on my homework. Dwight is very supportive about my passion and how to balance it with my academics,” he said.

Julian says he loves singing and performing. He attends the New England Conservatory for piano and voice, and Franklin School for the Performing Arts for dance, acting, voice, and troupe. He recently appeared as Ralphie in A Christmas Story (The Musical) at Taunton Performing Arts Center, and M.A.R.C. in Kablam!, a new show by Billy Recce.  He has been featured as a solo vocalist in Don’t Tell Mama, THE BLACK BOX, and the Plimpton Shattuck Black Box. He also won first prize in the 2025 MMTA Judged Piano Festival.  

“I also love the communities that I create while doing shows,” Julian said, noting that he feels that sense of community at Dwight Global, as well. 

Marlene Markard, Julian’s mother, is fully supportive of her son’s performing arts passions, and appreciates the scheduling flexibility and nurturing school culture that he has found at Dwight Global. 

“Julian attended STEAM weekend in NYC this year, and I saw firsthand how the students bonded. They were friends from online classes, and immediately gravitated towards one another in person. It’s one example of Dwight Global’s culture of warmth and strong school community,” she said.   

This spring, Julian has started rehearsals for his first play, starring as Avery in Charlotte’s Web at the Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University. He has also been accepted into the competitive, audition-based program, Broadway Artists Alliance in NYC, where he will attend a summer intensive program, studying with Broadway professionals. 

Reaching New Heights

Dwight Global’s Head of School, Louisa Childs, said Dwight Global students have the freedom to personalize their learning through blended and in-person online classes, which leads to success in the classroom and outside it. 

“There is nothing more exciting than bringing together students and teachers from all over the world in the rich intellectual community that is Dwight Global. Our expert faculty and staff are committed to nurturing each student’s spark of genius without boundaries or limitations, and we are delighted everyday by the heights our students achieve.”  

For more information about Dwight Global Online School and its personalized education, schedule an Open House with the Admissions Team.