Spring Play: 116 Hudson/ We LOVE the Class of 2020

Spring Play artwork by Abby Bulger ’20

Notes by Suzanne Houston

116 Hudson is the twelfth Spring Play under the leadership of Mark DiGiacomo and Jamie Moore, from my second Senior Seminar class, and the first ever produced virtually! This incredible class of senior artists set out to write three different plays that all take place in the same apartment building: 116 Hudson Street, New York, NY. Once they had the idea, we found a Zillow listing that offered a ground-level storefront for Coffee Express, an apartment for NYU students, and a glorious penthouse apartment ready for an epic New Year’s Eve party.

When we found ourselves in this new state of distance learning, and ultimately had to move the performances to something virtual, the student directors were understandably disappointed. However, the adults on the creative team knew that if any Senior Seminar class could ever face such a challenge and succeed, it would indeed be this one! This class has not only written three fantastic plays, but they have also seen the beauty of possibility when faced with creative restraints, all while being physically distant from one another. They cultivated a new place for students to gather and be creative each day. And ultimately, in the midst of the most unusual second semester ever, they have learned and grown as directors, artists, and humans.

What more could we ask for ?

A Series of Fortunate Events / Midnight in Manhattan / Decrypted

Opposite page, top left going

down: Sahil Navani ’21 as Sam in Decrypted; Matthew Cooper ’20 as Jaxx in Decrypted; Kailey Dierk ’21 as Elizabeth Bates in Midnight in Manhattan; Corrine Coakley ’21 as Ava in Midnight in Manhattan

This page, top row: Ashley Goldberg ’21 in A Series of Fortunate Events; Jack Fancher ’20 as Arlo in Decrypted; Jake Bongiovi ’20 and Ethan Rizzuto ’20 in Midnight in Manhattan; Second row: Esther (Maddy Fox ’21) explains the situation to roommate Phoebe (Daisy Hutnik ’22) in Decrypted; Third row: Stella (Kofo Jolaoso ’20) and Jackson (Alex Huang-Menders ’21) share their mysterious fortunes in A Series of Fortunate Events; Bottom Row: Coach (Cormac Glanas ’22) shares his disappointment with Jackson in A Series of Fortunate Events, and Detective Kaia (Jenna Soliman ’20) cracks the case in Decrypted.

We LOVE the

Class of 2020!

To honor our seniors this year, we delivered three personalized packages (in person to all students residing in the area) full of Commencement paraphernalia and gifts, created a brand-new Class of 2020 website, filled Senior Week with events both virtual (Senior Chapel) and live (Car Parade), and celebrated each senior in turn on social media.

Congratulations to the great Class of 2020!

Class of 2020 CAR PARADE

Following the virtual Commencement ceremony, the Class of 2020 celebrated with a car parade on Sunday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m. Seniors and their families came back to campus for a final drive-through as the faculty and staff cheered them on. They made their way over to Corson House to pick up their yearbooks, academic certificates, and other items—and to enjoy one last photo op with Head of School Bill Hawkey.