When you arrive at Mustang Rally 2025, you鈥檒l notice something new: the sounds of live music, the buzz of performances in full swing, and the energy of a true festival atmosphere. It鈥檚 all happening at The Rally Stage, a brand-new addition to Mustang Rally鈥檚 lineup鈥攁nd it鈥檚 shaping up to be one of the most exciting new traditions yet.
For the first time in Mustang Rally history, the all-day, all-fun, all-community carnival will feature a full lineup of live entertainment on a dedicated stage by the Horseshoe on Upper Campus. Students from Lower, Middle, and Upper School will take the stage throughout the day, alongside faculty and staff performers, showcasing an exciting mix of singing, playing, acting, and even a competition.
Learning by Doing
The Rally Stage isn鈥檛 just about putting on a show鈥攊t鈥檚 a full immersion experience in what it takes to create, design, and produce a major live event.
鈥淭his has been a full team effort,鈥� says Mark Gallegos, Music/Recording Instructor and Rally Stage Director. 鈥淭he students are involved in everything鈥攖he scheduling, the set-up, the sound checks, the costume design. They鈥檙e learning how much work happens before the first note is even played.鈥�
Students have committed to multiple rehearsals, organized run-of-show schedules, assisted with setting up and running sound equipment, and even learned how to promote an event to an audience. They鈥檝e also had the chance to experiment with creative roles behind the scenes, from designing costumes for the Masked Singer contest to helping create the set list.
Creativity Takes the Stage
Senior Dareen Cheong, along with juniors Eden Seib, Katie Day Schwartz, and Claire Schwartz have been in charge of costume design for the Masked Singer contest. “It鈥檚 been amazing to see their ideas come to life,鈥� says Gallegos. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e thinking about every detail鈥攈ow the costumes look from the stage, how the performer can move in them, how it fits the theme. It鈥檚 truly professional-level thinking.鈥�
Dareen Cheong, who recently won a costume design award at the Georgia Thespian Conference, shared, 鈥淚 love seeing how design can tell a story even before the music starts. It鈥檚 exciting to know the audience will be trying to guess who鈥檚 behind each costume.鈥�
The Rally Stage also gives performing students a platform to build confidence, stretch creatively, and share their passions with a full community audience.
鈥淎t 糖心原创, we talk about finding your voice,鈥� says Gallegos. 鈥淭his is a literal version of that. Whether you鈥檙e singing, playing, acting, designing, or running the soundboard鈥攜ou鈥檙e contributing your voice to something bigger.鈥�
A Day Full of Performances
Rally-goers can expect a packed schedule of performances featuring everything from vocal ensembles to sneak peeks of the Middle School鈥檚 upcoming production of The Addams Family. The Rally Stage schedule includes:
Friday, April 25 Rally Stage Schedule
11:45 am 鈥� 12:15 pm | Upper School Ensemble
12:15 鈥� 12:45 pm | Stangs
12:55 pm | Middle School Addams Family Musical Preview
1:00 鈥� 1:45 pm | Masked Singer Contest
1:45 鈥� 2:00 pm | Lower School Singers
2:00 鈥� 2:30 pm | Middle School Band
The Masked Singer contest invites Rally attendees to vote for their favorite disguised performer鈥攁 true community event where everyone gets to participate in the fun.
Building a New Mustang Rally Tradition
The Rally Stage marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of Mustang Rally鈥攖ransforming what began as a few pop-up performances into a fully integrated, student-powered experience. From the spotlight to the sound booth and from costume design to event promotion, students are taking the lead in every corner of the production. This thoughtfully designed addition invites learners to flex their creative muscles, collaborate across divisions, solve complex challenges, and engage in hands-on experiences that mirror professional event planning and execution. It鈥檚 not just a new feature鈥攊t鈥檚 a launchpad for new talents, new leaders, and a new tradition at 糖心原创.鈥淲e want students to leave Mustang Rally this year feeling proud of what they accomplished鈥攏ot just because they performed, but because they helped build something from the ground up,鈥� says Gallegos.
鈥淚 hope the Rally Stage becomes something students look forward to every year,鈥� says Eden Seib, one of the costume designers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a chance for all kinds of talents to shine, not just the ones you usually see on stage.鈥�
So grab your lawn chair, find a spot in front of The Rally Stage, and enjoy an afternoon of performances that celebrate the 糖心原创 community’s energy, talent, and creativity.
With Mustang Rally 2025 right around the corner, head or the button below for all the things you need to know!