A Windward Renaissance
by Tessa Palter-Posten ’15
The performing arts initiative has transformed art opportunities at Windward. The move for change began when Tom Gilder met with the performing arts staff and asked them to do the impossible plan the construction of a new theater. Windward has been stuck in a black box theater for 25 years and everyone - students, faculty, and fans alike - is ready for a change. Jennie Willens (dean of student life), Kilo Fairchild (chairman of the performing arts department) and Alesia Young (choreographer) formed what Kilo labeled the triumvirate to spearhead progress. This committee is working hard to renovate arts at Windward by finding new performance spaces and bringing in more professionals. The biggest challenge that lies ahead in Windward’s future is the creation of a new theater. Jennie, Alesia and Kilo have been exploring theaters in the Southern California area to serve as potential models. “The big purpose of initiatives is to do research of other programs,” said Jennie Willens. “Looking at their spaces, curriculum and philosophies to see what we like and what may be adoptable for Windward.”
The committee is considering a variety of factors including lighting, seating, acoustics, and audience size. They want to create a theater big enough to seat the entire school so the gym will no longer be necessary. The team has already decided to abandon the black box for a traditional stage with leaning seating. Rather than positioning seats to the left or right of center aisles, the committee has decided to use side aisles so that the center portion of the auditorium is completely available for seating. The group does face one major challenger where will this theater be located? In searching for potential theater designs, Kilo, Jennie and Alesia scouted locations for Windward’s future auditorium. They visited many theaters in the Southern California area and especially liked an award-winning design in Agoura. Windward’s performing arts initiative is not limited to a new theater. The performing arts teachers are also working to expand opportunities within their departments. In fact, the department has introduced mentor programs to provide students one-one-one experience with professionals. Music teacher Bruce Eskovitz has brought in several music
mentors including bassist Jimmy Haslip to play with his students. Choral music teacher John Higgins offers voice lessons after school to provide singers with a free way to improve technique. He also invites professional and college a cappella groups to sing for his choir classes. “I love when we get to sing with college a cappella groups,” said Junior, Brooke Feldman. “M-pact and the Princeton footnotes were amazing.” Theatre teacher Jordan Fox has brought in several movie-industry professionals, including Chris Miller, to teach students about the audition process and resumes. Also, famous dancers such as Thang Dao have choreographed numbers for Dance Company. “It is truly incredible to be dancing alongside famous and respected dancers,” said Junior, Katia Kapelian. Since a new theater remains in the future, the performing arts committee has looked to local auditoriums to host Windward performances in the meantime. These shows are known as set list shows since they occur in various locations and feature both students and professionals. The winter dance performance was held at UCLA’s Freud playhouse, a 567 seat proscenium. The choir students performed their winter concert at the Grammy Museum, a museum
in downtown L.A. that showcases the history of the Grammys. These shows have proved so successful that Windward decided to hold its spring music festival (consisting of both choral and music performances) at the AT&T center in downtown L.A. “Performing at the Grammy Museum was a fantastic experience,” said Junior, Mila Wolpert. “It was probably the nicest theater I have ever performed in.” Senior Max Mendelson also positively responded to his performance in a new theater. He said, “It was an unbelievable experience to perform in a professional setting with true, successful musicians.” Teachers are crucial in this process of renovation. Not only do they generate ideas, but many are also very respected in the arts community at large. For example, dance teacher Julia Friedrich was named one the most influential teachers by the White House in 2013. “What has been so inspiring is that the performing arts teachers are embracing the process and coming up with great ideas,” said Jennie Willens. Students and teachers agree that the performing arts initiative has already expanded opportunities at Windward dramatically. In terms of the future, Windward plans to focus on the curriculum in classes so artists can continue to improve throughout their school career.
The cast and crew for the 2014 Spring Musical, 9 to 5 pose post-production. in the “black box” Irene Kleinberg Theater.
The Windward Dance Company took the stage at UCLA’s Freud Theater in January of 2014 with guest artists from So You Think You Can Dance.
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