When Autumn Bussey ’27 first stepped onto the George School stage as a ninth grader, she wasn’t new to the world of theater. Her journey as a performer began long before high school — when she was just six years old, working in local musical theater productions.

“That’s what ignited my love for acting and singing,” she recalled. 

For Autumn, theater is more than a passion — it’s a reflection of humanity. “The main reason why I love theater is because I love people,” she said. “Theater can critique humanity while displaying the beauty of it. It gives me space to look at the full picture of the world: the good, bad and complicated.”

From her earliest days on campus, Autumn immersed herself in the arts. “I’ve been actively involved in theater and music at George School since the fall of my first year, performing in six theater productions and enrolling in acting, vocal ensemble and music production classes.” What she found at George School wasn’t just a place to perform, but a community that nurtured her creativity and curiosity. “The music and theater programs at George School have enhanced my artistic development through access to knowledgeable teachers, as well as exceptional resources,” she said. “These programs have provided me with opportunities to explore different aspects of performance, like acting, vocal technique, dance, recording music and stage management.”

One of the defining moments in Autumn’s musical journey came during “Spring Awakening,” when she took on the role of Wendla — her first major part in a George School musical. The experience deepened her understanding of what it means to truly tell a story. “Portraying Wendla taught me that storytelling is much more than the singing technique, best acting delivery or even the ability to dance — it’s about all of those elements coming together to create a story,” Autumn explained. “It didn’t matter that I was not a carbon copy of Lea Michele (who originated the role), because my work was good for the production we were doing. I not only learned the skill of performance, but I lived in the performance. Believe it or not, those are two completely different things.”

Beyond her personal growth, Autumn values the collaborative nature of the arts at George School. Working alongside other students and faculty, she has found inspiration in the collective creativity of the community. “The collaborative environment at George School has allowed me to work alongside and learn from talented students and mentors, and show up as my best self,” she shared. “It’s deepened my appreciation for storytelling as a whole.” As she continues her artistic journey through George School, Autumn carries with her lessons that reach far beyond the stage. “Over the years, I have learned to listen more deeply, trust myself more and problem-solve quickly,” she said. “In many ways, theater hasn't just impacted my life — it’s become inseparable from who I am.”