Artists on a Journey

The fall and winter saw Burr and Burton arts programming humming along, with artists—both beginners and those more experienced—teaming up to bring magic to the arts classrooms, recording studios, and the Riley Center stage.

BBA Music, Lighting Up the Stage

The title of Lily Larue ’25’s School News story on the fall play captured it perfectly. The play, The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong, was a successful disaster in just about every way. A play within a play, The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong tells the story of the doomed actors in the faux play Murder at Haversham Manor. Filling the Riley Center four times, BBA actors, supported by an incredible stage and technical crew, drew laughs, performed outrageous stunts, and all together brought down the house in an incredible show.

Asked about how the cast and crew make it all work, actor Joey Masalsky ’25 who played a lead role as the inspector said, “We have a lot of fun but it’s also a very professional work environment and we both listen to each other and understand each other very well on a professional level and a social level. We all have a lot of love for one another.”

New dance teacher Emily Owens and longtime theater director Jim Raposa kept the Dance and Drama Winter Showcase alive, with original dance pieces and dramatic sketches created and performed by students in the curricular arts and drama classes.

Last fall, BBA Music launched a songwriting course, cotaught with musician and paraeducator Laura Molinelli, that culminated in a field trip to see the musical Woody Sez, about the life and music of Woody Gutherie, at the Weston Playhouse.

In December, Music and Cinema teamed up for a new event, Flicks and Riffs, a media arts showcase featuring original student films and songs.

In addition to a winter full of musical festivities, students taking applied music classes also experienced lessons and small group instruction from nine talented local musicians.

In February, a triumphant Calliope Concert was filled with original talent and inspired renditions. Less than two years after the Covid pandemic made traditional music instruction impossible, the Riley Center stage was full of musicians on their journey once more.

Visual Arts and Design: Breaking Down Walls Between Disciplines

Over the last couple of years, the Visual Arts and Design Department has implemented open-door initiatives that encourage students to explore different ideas, skills, and media in the visual arts. Now that open-door approach is driving a reconfiguration of the arts spaces on the first floor of the Rowland Center.

Visual Arts and Design Department Chair Travis Kline is excited for this change: “Reconfiguring the space will help facilitate a multidisciplinary approach that reflects the reality of a contemporary artist.”

Visual Arts students have also been experimenting with the ancient Japanese technique of firing pottery in a raku kiln. This technique, where pottery is fired as hot and as fast as possible and then removed and placed in a secondary vessel, enables elements to express themselves in unpredictable ways, creating unique and unexpected colors, patterns, and designs.

After a busy fall of creating, Visual Arts students are excited to participate in local spring exhibitions.

The Manchester Community Library has been host to a variety of works in drawing, painting and mixed media. From hyper-realistic drawings to vibrant graffiti-inspired paintings on canvas, the works represent a wide range of student talent.

Students in BBA’s Foundations, Studio and Advanced Portfolio classes were featured at the Southern Vermont Arts Center at the Art from the Schools exhibit. Ceramics, woodworking, digital art, drawings, paintings, mixed media, design, film, and photography are displayed. It’s a show you don’t want to miss.