The Legacy Lives On

For Mary Elizabeth Orr and Mark Whitehead, the impact of Unity’s theatre program didn’t end when the curtain closed, it became part of who they are. “My time in musical theater at Unity shaped me into the person I am today,” Mary Elizabeth shares. “Because of it, I am more confident, more willing to face challenges, and more secure in who I am in Christ.”

Mark echoes that growth in his own way. “I gained important life skills, especially public speaking,” he says. “If you can sing in a prince costume, you can do anything.”

Though their experiences were unique, both point to a deeper transformation that took place during their time at Unity, one that stretched far beyond performance. For Mary Elizabeth, it was learning to step into the unknown with faith. From challenging choreography to solos that pushed her beyond her comfort zone, she discovered a strength she didn’t know she had, guided by the steady encouragement of Sumer Rooke.

Even when I doubted myself, she believed in me.

Mary Elizabeth

“Mrs. Rooke consistently challenged me to grow in both my faith and my confidence,” she says. “Even when I doubted myself, she believed in me.”

For Mark, the transformation often came through humility. “The most important lesson I remember is that in theater, you leave your pride at the door,” he says. “There are moments that feel uncomfortable, but when you let go of that and fully step in, it becomes something really special.” That lesson continues to shape his life today.

Now in medical school, Mark often faces challenges that once would have felt overwhelming. But the discipline he developed in theatre, learning through repetition, pushing through difficulty, remains a constant reminder that growth takes time. “With patience and practice, you can do more than you think,” he says.

Returning for Looking Back brought those lessons full circle for both alumni. For Mary Elizabeth, the moment was deeply personal.

Having been part of Unity’s very first Broadway Review, she knew she wanted to return. But what made it unforgettable was standing on stage with her sisters, something they had never experienced together before. “It was a full-circle moment,” she says. “One I will always cherish.”

For Mark, the experience carried a similar weight. “It felt like a reunion, but more than that, we got to actually do it again,” he shares. “Singing the same songs nearly ten years later… it was almost poetic.”

While the performances themselves were meaningful, both alumni point to something even greater, the lasting impact of using their gifts for a purpose.

“Musical theater helped me discover and pursue my love for dance,” Mary Elizabeth says. “It gave me the confidence to take that next step.” Now a fourth-grade teacher, she carries those same lessons into her classroom each day.

We don’t have to wait for a stage… we can glorify God every day.

Mark Whitehead

Mark sees that purpose through a spiritual lens. “God loves music,” he explains. “When you combine music, storytelling, and creativity, it becomes something powerful, a form of worship.” That perspective has reshaped how he approaches not only performance, but everyday life. “We don’t have to wait for a stage,” he says. “We can glorify God in what we do every single day.”

That is the legacy of Unity Theatre. Not just performances, but people changed. Not just moments, but lives shaped. And ten years later, that impact is still echoing, on stage, in classrooms, in careers, and in the lives of those who continue to carry it forward.

Your presence is a reminder that the impact of this program does not end when you leave Unity.

Sumer Rooke