Arts

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT HITS HIGH NOTE IN HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

The High School Musical Tech Crew played multiple roles behind the scenes from set construction, props, and makeup to lighting, sound, and stage direction. On and off stage, performing and preparing, a record-breaking number of upper schoolers had a role in the spring theater production—Disney’s High School Musical. Working as actors, dancers, singers, designers, technicians, stage managers, and pit musicians, the range of talent was unmatched. The cast, musicians, and crew earned rave reviews from the audience over four performances of the musical within a musical.

Director Nina Pongratz was thrilled with the number of participants and likened their involvement to the storyline of the characters in the show. “The self-discovery that comes from taking risks, seeking out new challenges, and trying something out of our comfort zones can be positively life-changing,” she said in her program notes. “Our production this year brims with people trying new things: students new to theater, students new to lead roles, student musicians new to the pit orchestra, student designers and set-builders, and student stage managers. All told, more than 75 students have taken up our challenge and committed themselves to this wonderful collective experience, and I am grateful to every one of them.”

For the first time in recent memory, the pit musicians were primarily students. The show featured Stuart Zhu ’22 (piano), Cole Winston ’23 (guitar), and Will Kibel ’23 (piano).

ARTS EVENTS SHOWCASE TALENT

BY DAVE RADFORD

The boundless creativity of Lower School visual artists, the artistry of Middle School dancers and singers, and the bold self-expression of Upper School fashion designers and filmmakers could be seen during a number of arts events that debuted this spring. While some events were reimagined, others were entirely new creations.

ADVENTURE WITH THE ARTS GOES IN NEW DIRECTION

Christian Cho ’36 shows his parents, Alexander and Suejean, how a salad spinner can be used to create art.

Adventure with the Arts Day is technically not a new event for lower schoolers, but this year it had a new look that sparked the imaginations of everyone involved. As has been tradition, parents were invited to campus to appreciate the beautiful works of art that their children produced in class. This year, however, they also worked side by side with their children, collaborating on projects prepared by Lower School art teachers Allison Yancone and Eveyln Hoffman. From weaving and jewelry-making to painting with a variety of unconventional tools, parents enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of their child’s creative process and gain a new perspective into their visual arts education.

COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Middle School dancers have always relished the opportunities to perform in front of their parents and peers through open studios and the annual Holiday Assembly, but this year marked their first chance to put on a full-scale recital. A troupe of more than 60 dancers and choral students brought the story of Alice in Wonderland to life through song and a variety of dance styles ranging from classical to contemporary. With vibrant costumes, beautiful set pieces, and intricate lighting designs, Middle School dancers dazzled the audience.

Isabelle Freiburg ’26 as Alice and Abby Arthur ’26 as the Caterpillar have a dance party to “Don’t You Worry About A Thing.”

Ethan Davies ’27 as the White Rabbit, gathers guests for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

FASHION AND FILM

From left Sophia Park ’23, Maggie Vertrees ’23, Daniel Sung ’23, Ty Picker ’23, Jada Green ’23, and Aeiris Faloni ’23 modeling Sophia Park’s ’23 collection.

Engaging students in various design challenges to create and construct garments and pieces of wearable art is the core of the Fashion and Fibers class. The course, taught by Robert Penn, has quickly become a favorite of many fashion-minded upper schoolers. Student designers stitched together their learning, and in early May, more than 100 looks hit the runway in the Klein Lyceum. The audience was thrilled with the variety and creativity within each collection as evidenced by the cheers that greeted the models outfitted in original and upcycled looks from casual wear to high fashion. Backstage, the young fashion designers wore an expression of accomplishment as they watched their collections spring to life.

Jadyn Reveley ’22 wearing one of her own designs.

Sophia Park ’23 wearing an outfit from Madelyn Singer’s ’24 collection.

Later in the month, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood came to McDonogh for the School’s first Short Film Showcase. Dressed to the nines, the budding young filmmakers from Movie Making I and II classes taught by Dave Radford hit the orange carpet before joining an eager audience of family, friends, and faculty on hand to witness the world premiere of their short films. After the credits rolled on the four student-produced short films, Zoie Jackson ’24 and Jo Turner ’24 performed an original song they produced for their film. At the end of the evening, in true Oscars fashion, awards known as The Tylers, in honor of Tyler Groton (a beloved member of the Arts Department who passed away earlier in the year) were presented to the filmmakers. >>>

Sam Willen ’23 and Janie Bonat ’24 pose with their “Tyler Awards” for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Picture, and Best Performance.

From left filmmakers Jo Turner ’24, Bri Miller ’24, Yasmeen R’ghioui ’24, Zoie Jackson ’24, Kare Coley ’24, Armin King ’22, Sam Willen ’23, Alex Jones ’22, Ava Jankowski ’24, and Janie Bonat ’24 enjoy a moment on the orange carpet.