What's Happening in the Arts Second Semester...

THEATRE

Call for Props!

Mrs. Martineau is searching for pieces to use in this spring's production of The Secret Garden. She is on the lookout for loaners of the following props and set pieces (circa 1906 England) for the show this April.

(1) gardner's wheelbarrow
(1) Twin size wrought iron bed
(1) Steamer Trunk
(2) English (study type) wing chairs
(1) skipping rope with wooden handles
(1) wheelchair
(1) sari to be worn by the character "Ayah" (Anna Westbrook)
(1) Resin garden bench that looks like stone
(1) bed side table
(1) wheelchair (circa 1905) similar to the ones pictured:

Charades, pantomime, and exercises in observation and concentration challenge the seventh grade Drama student. The game – The Circle of Realities and Abstractions promoted quick thinking. The class took an observation tour of various areas of the school in search of interesting student movement, postures, and gestures to be used in a pantomimed presentation. They also shadowed a teacher for an additional presentation. The drama class will finish the semester with scene work.

The Beginning Acting class finished their last make up application – old age.  It was fun to see them, see themselves with laugh lines and crows feet. The acting students finished a fourweek intensive unit on Mask Work and the art of physical communication. We’ll finish the third quarter with a special unit on “Zanni, the servant – a Commedia dell Arte Masked Stock Character.” In the fourth quarter, the student actors will apply their acquired technique to rehearsing and producing a full length play for a May 21 performance.  The show starts at 7:00pm and it is free and open to the public.

Each member of the Technique class had the opportunity to direct a ten minute play and experience a repertory situation by acting in three to four of the plays.  The class will continue this work in the fourth quarter. The Intermediate Acting chose “The Power of Symbols” for the research and development of a theatre piece. The Art I class created set pieces, silk screens, and artistic props.  The Intermediate Acting students have created a provocative piece of theatre in “The Power of Symbols.” It and the art work were presented as one of the three workshops offered at Diversity Day. The Advanced Acting class continues their work in rapier and dagger and with the Commedia characters.  They completed scene work from the Neo-classic Baroque period and Restoration theatre – Tartuffe and The Way of the World respectively.  Currently, the class is preparing  scenes from Jean Genet’s The Maids and Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit.

March was “Theatre in the Schools” month and the thespians have lots planned.  Thespians will be RANDOMLY appearing in various academic classes for short performances. There will be lunch time theatre performances during the 5^th and 6^th periods, starring middle school and upper school acting students.

DANCE
Upper School dancers have been busy with COMPCHOREA, our annual dance & music concert that was performed on February 28, 29 and March 1st. The sold out performance featured original pieces by student choreographers and dancers, as well as student composers and musicians. Bo Parish, Director of Dance, choreographed two of the dances in COMPCHOREA. Student dancers auditioned for Ms. Bo's dances and have been in rehearsal since October. The concert was exciting, amazing, beautifully performed and thoroughly enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience. So, what's next for Upper School dance?? The Dance Assembly will be performed in April, featuring some new pieces and some COMPCHOREA dances as well. Using the haunting and powerful song, "Strange Fruit" as inspiration, a group of dancers will be creating and performing a special work for Diversity Day, which also takes place in April. The dance will be performed as part of the workshop/presentation on "The Power of Symbols." In addition to keeping technique sharp and strong, Upper School dance classes will be exploring some somatic lessons, such as "Earth, Air, Fire & Water" and "Trees." Guest teachers are also on the horizon, as is the always-popular "Relaxation" class.

Middle School dance students are now in the process of learning the short dance that they memorize and use as a springboard for their final project. Everyone will divide into groups, or duets, and will choreograph an original piece that incorporates Ms. Parish's short dance with their own choreography.  Everyone selects music, brainstorms ideas, gets creativity flowing, maybe hits some stumbling blocks, works and rehearses over the course of three class meetings, then performs the dance for their fellow classmates. Everyone participates in giving feedback about the dances, and then on the last day of the semester we all enjoy watching the performances on video.

MUSIC
In Enrichment, one section of 8th graders has just finished their music rotation, presenting their poster projects on famous American musicians. Another 8th grade section has just begun their music rotation and will be creating their own blues songs.

AP Music Theory has just finished the twelfth of fifteen chapters that will be covered before the AP exam, which occurs Monday morning, May 12. Students have been writing and singing four-part harmonies using triads and seventh chords.

Music Composition has just finished its latest assignment, which was to write and record a commercial jingle for an existing, well-known product. Upon returning from spring break, the students will begin the process of producing the Compchorea 2008 CD.

In Band, the ensemble has learned the essentials of the five pieces that they will perform at the May 15 Spring Concert. When we return from spring break, we will put the finishing touches on those pieces.

In Jazz Band, the ensemble is preparing for the May 15 Spring Concert. In addition to the three pieces for which they have written parts, the students are creating a "paperless" piece in which they must continually improvise.

In Music Theory class, the students designed and presented music theory games, meant to teach a music theory skill or set of skills. These were enthusiastically played by each class as part of the process. Next semester the theory classes will be learning about different types of music analysis and finishing the year with some original composition.

The Select Chorus is preparing music for the Holocaust Remembrance Assembly, which will take place this year on April 24th. They are also working on their sight reading skills and memorizing music for the May 15th spring concert. The Commencement Chorus will begin rehearsals in mid-May, preparing music fo the June 8th Commencement.

Acafellas are working on the songs that they must sing from memory at the Spring Concert. One of those songs is "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison.

STUDIO ART
The Power of Symbols: One section of Art I is currently collaborating with Mrs Martineau's Intermediate Acting class to create the "set collage" for a theater presentation dealing with the power of Symbols. This has been exciting process for the art students and has really challenged us to think positive and negative symbols and how they relate to our art. We have also had to work on a larger scale for many of these pieces. For Lindsay Steadman's piece which tackles gender symbols, we have been working on life size styrofoam cut-outs of male and female figures (nicknamed Howard and Howardina) from bathroom signs. Also, keep a look out for the Peace Sign, which is popping up all over school.

Relief Sculpture and The Rubber Mold: Relief sculpture has long been a part of the Art II curricula; however, this is the first year that we've taken on the rubber mold. This process is incredibly time-intensive and includes multiple layers of liquid rubber mold compound and a mother mold of burlap and plaster. We have been covered in plaster, but I think that all the students have mastered the skill of plaster mixing. With the finished mold, students can pour their relief sculpture (in plaster) as many times as they want. Our relief designs are varied, from Charlotte's crab to Emily M's Roses to Andres' Spongebob to Brynna's guitar.

Art of the 1960's: We began this quarter by viewing films on artists Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko to understand art prior to the 60's. Art II researched topics of the decade, including important events and key figures and presented to the class. With the historical basis, we then began to look at music of the decade and how it could influence art. Students created work inspired by the music of the 60's. We looked at the artwork Robert Rauschenberg, mainly his silkscreen works from the 60's and learned the photoemulsion silk screen process. We also had a visiting artist, Kat Murphy work with us on a Rauschenberg-inspired silkscreen collaboration. This project will be displayed on Diversity Day along side Mr. Fader's presentation of the Art of the 60's.

Young At Art: Upper School Art students have work on display at the Mystic Art Center's annual Young At Art exhibition. The show will be on view until March 29th.

DIGITAL IMAGING
Film Festival Friday May 9: This year's film festival will be showcasing the accomplishments of the Digital Imaging student's work throughout the year. Including digital photographic essays, public service announcements made in conjunction with the New Creativity Grant and Connecticut College, music videos, and a surprise Special Feature based on the studies of Alfred Hitchcock. Again this year the second annual Spring Art Exhibit will be featured by Ms. Zweir's Studio Art Classes in conjunction with the Film Festival.

Jane Martineau
Drama
Coordinator of the Arts Program

Greg Bowerman
Art

Peter Emanuel
Music

Barbara Parish
Dance

Laura Smith
Music

Tekla Zweir
Art