The theatre lights dim, and a voice breaks through the silence. Senior Maddie Delbridge steps onto the stage, her performance coming as naturally to her as walking. Delbridge was introduced to singing at four years old after being accepted to the New York City Children’s Chorus. By age five, she was introduced to musical theatre and began taking voice lessons, which have helped her develop her voice and discover what kinds of songs she likes to sing.
Over the years, Delbridge has refined her singing style and artistic choices by participating in around 40 musicals, three of which were originals, and performing as a solo vocalist in 30 benefit concerts and cabarets in New York City, Los Angeles and abroad. She was also accepted into the Bel Canto in Tuscany Opera Intensive in 2023, training in Italian, French, German and Latin alongside college and graduate school students. The youngest there, Delbridge is grateful for the unique experience and everything that she learned from her advisors.
This year is also Delbridge’s second year in the Songbook Academy, which is a summer music intensive for high school vocalists hosted by the Great American Songbook Foundation. She enjoyed being able to study through the program and perform with mentorship from the founder Michael Feinstein, a five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist. She said, “When I did [the program] last year I was luckily chosen to participate in a masterclass in front of 1000 people where I got to sing for [American actress and singer,] Jessie Mueller, who is a really awesome Tony winner.”
Throughout her four years at Poly, Delbridge has participated in all of the spring musicals available to her, playing roles such as Toffee in “Zombie Prom” in 2023, Donna in “Mamma Mia!” in 2025, and, most recently, The Drowsy Chaperone in “The Drowsy Chaperone” this spring. In her sophomore year, Delbridge got to try a different role in the musical-making process: assistant directing. She said, “Assistant directing is something I had never done before, and I’m very grateful that Poly gave me the opportunity to try it. It was a really cool experience, and I learned that I really like directing as well as acting.”
Delbridge’s optimistic attitude and leadership skills have made themselves known in Poly’s performing arts community. “Her latest turn as the title character in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ showcased her skills in acting, singing and dancing that brought the audience to their feet, cheering at her performance of the rousing anthem ‘As We Stumble Along’. Her gifts extend beyond the stage as she supported the up-and-coming actors, and with her work in the community with the Speech Collective,” stated Sam Robinson, the Upper School Performing Arts Director, “Maddie is the definition of a role model.”
Freshman Stella Sutton Stowell has only known Delbridge through this past spring musical, yet claims, “Maddie is the definition of an incredible person. She is smart, talented, kind and inspiring. She makes anyone feel welcome, no matter who you are, and her energy is unmatched.”
In addition to participating in Poly’s musicals, Delbridge is also the co-president of Poly’s Vocal Ensemble. In November of last year, she was able to help organize the Upper School’s first Miscast Cabaret, an event where performers can sing songs from roles they wouldn’t traditionally be cast in. Delbridge sang “For Her” from “The Great Gatsby” as well as “The Confrontation” from “Les Misérables” alongside her sister, sophomore Annie Delbridge, which are both roles that are traditionally performed by a male actor. The Miscast Cabaret was a success, with Delbridge stating, “It was exciting to see an idea I had as a freshman come to fruition in the best way I could’ve imagined.”
Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Eric Lifland, who oversees the Vocal Ensemble, shared, “Under Maddie’s leadership as co-president, the Vocal Ensemble has grown tremendously in quality and reach. Over her four years at Poly, she has consistently been an excellent representative and advocate for the performing arts program.”
Similarly, Delbridge’s co-president, senior Anastasia Arrieta shared, “Maddie is a force unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Her talent goes without saying, but her constant drive to be better and push herself is one of her most admirable strengths.”
Beyond Poly productions, Delbridge is also an active member of the Poly Arts Student Council (PASC) and has served as the Performing Arts Chair of the Ambassadors Council, where she represents the department at admissions events for prospective Poly families. Her engagement in the performing arts has given her opportunities to sing the national anthem at the Poly Pet and Hobby Show in April and perform last year at the Eaton Fire Remembrance Assembly.
Delbridge’s love for performing arts also led her to begin The Speech Collective, a community engagement club that leads public speaking workshops at nearby public libraries for younger children. She believes that the arts can’t be advocated for enough, and shared, “I think [that expressing oneself through art] builds so much confidence, and I want to say that [music and the arts have] played the most pivotal part in my life. I would definitely not be who I am today without [them].”
In the future, Delbridge plans to continue as an ambassador of the arts. This fall, Delbridge is majoring in English, with minors in Theater & Music Theater and American Studies at Princeton University. Delbridge leaves this message to the Poly community: “Always remember that above all, the arts are a universal language meant to preserve stories and create community for all.”
