Setting the Stage for A Successful Performing Arts Season

9/11/2024

Artistic expression was center stage during preseason week in August.

Dance students kept the rhythm going in the Fonseca Center studio while their theater counterparts exercised their acting chops in the Experimental Theater.

Senior dance student Juan Torres was ready. “Dance fills my soul and being away from it during the summer was hard,” he said. “Honing my craft is such a gift, and I am grateful that I’m able to return to a school that allows me to do that.”

“Preseason was fantastic!” exclaimed Melissa Edwards, the School’s new upper school dance teacher, as she got into a groove with her 12 enthusiastic student dancers. “They participated in technique in ballet, modern and jazz, creative and choreography activities, conditioning including Pilates and stretching, and watching videos of personally meaningful dances.”

“Ms. Edwards made the company feel fun, intense in a dancer way and aspirational,” said Torres, who wants to continue studying modern dance after graduation. “We took time to envision the type of company we were, and the company we wanted to become — lots of dreaming!”

Upstairs in the Experimental Theater, with more than 40 students in attendance, new upper school theater teacher Beth Manspeizer led the fall play preseason. This year’s fall play is “Antigone.”

“We have concentrated on team-building exercises, improvisation, vocal work, storytelling and understanding how to begin to develop a character and how to work with our scene partners,” Manspeizer explained. “We are thrilled about the process we are about to embark on to bring this Greek tragedy to life.”

Preseason is always a special time for Emerson Riter ’25. “Returning students are eager to welcome new students and make them feel at home,” she shared. “We spent a lot of time playing games, reading the text, getting to know each other, reuniting with old friends and talking about the upcoming season.”

“‘Antigone’ is a fantastic show that I'm really excited to work on,” Riter said. “It's a hefty script in terms of subject matter and the way that it's written, but I think we're all ready to rise to the challenge.”