Arts in the News

Fall Plays for Classes III, II and I
The performing arts department presents two comedy productions this fall, including Tom Stoppard’s Rosencratz & Gildenstern Are Dead and Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Any Class III, II or I student interested in auditioning should attend one of the two audition times scheduled on Tuesday, September 3, at 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Meet in the lobby of the Kellner Performing Arts Center. No experience is necessary. Callbacks will be on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m. Download the audition flyer.

Class IV Follies: The Mask
Milton Academy performing arts opens its season with the Class IV Follies, an exciting original show compiling Broadway showtunes, scenes from plays and live music. Each year, the performing arts department picks a new theme and creates the show for actors who sign up. This year’s theme is The Mask. Any Class IV students who want to act, sing, dance, play music, or any combination of it all are welcome to join the first meeting on Wednesday, September 4, at 3:45 p.m. in King Theatre. No experience is necessary and all interested students will be accepted. Download the flyer.

Speech & Debate
Students interested in learning about Milton’s legendary and award-winning speech and debate team are invited to the first week workshops and practices. View the calendar for details. If you have any questions, email patrice_jean-baptiste@milton.edu or matthew_brandstetter@milton.edu.

Fall Tech Crew
All students—Classes I, II, III and IV—are welcome to join the fall tech crew. Interested students should come to the meetings in the Theatre Shop of the Kellner Performing Arts Center Wednesday–Friday, September 4–6, at 3:15 p.m. No experience is necessary. If you have questions, email shane_fuller@milton.edu.

The 1212 play presents a return of Wicked Sketchy, an original production made up of 14 sketches, written and performed by students. For this production, Wicked Sketchy veteran Lyndsey Mugford (I) took on lead writing and directorial roles in this collaborative project. Stage manager Evan Jenness (I) will be running the light and sound cues.

The 20-student cast pitched ideas to each other and wrote draft skits in small groups, eventually choosing the final ones, which each student had a hand in editing. “These students come from all four grades, and the process’s collaborative nature really means that everybody gets to have a hand in the final product,” says Lyndsey. Performing arts faculty member Peter Parisi is directing.

The Spring Play stages The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens. In the story, 15-year-old Christopher, played by Ben Simpson (III), is a mathematics whiz with some awkward behavior problems. He discovers a neighbor’s dog murdered and sets off to figure out the mystery. Other lead roles are played by Jace Fuller (III), Anna Holtschlag (II), and Katerina Varsamis (II).

Performances of Wicked Sketchy begin in Wigg Hall on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opens in King Theatre on Thursday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m., with shows on Friday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m.

Robert Skinner (Class I) likens the campus-favorite Winter Dance Concert to a new episode of a beloved television series.

“There may be some familiar styles of dancing year after year, but the concert brings entirely different components with the choreography, new dancers, costumes and storylines,” Robert says. “It’s fun to see people performing a style of dance you never thought they would do, and it’s even better to see them performing that dance well.”

Dancers, choreographers and tech crews have worked hard throughout the season to put together a show that combines a rich variety of performance styles, says Robert, who balanced preparing for the Dance Concert with playing varsity basketball this winter. “It can be challenging because of the limited amount of time we have to practice and perfect the choreography together,” he says. “Balancing multiple activities with academics can get hectic at times, but the end result is worth it.”

Lucheyla Celestino (Class I) has been participating in the dance concert since her freshman year. Lucheyla is participating in seven dances and stretching beyond her comfort zone for her final Winter Dance Concert.

“Learning choreography that I am not necessarily used to has been a challenge,” she says. “The dances have taken a physical toll because I’m dancing, on average, 16 hours a week. Learning to take better care of my body and accepting the athleticism involved in dance has made me a better dancer.”

The challenges involved in putting on such a complex program pale in comparison with the joys, Lucheyla says. “Rehearsals are a good place to have fun and meet new people. The community built around the dance concert is one of the main reasons it is such huge event on campus. So many families and friends come to support the cast, and that is always heartwarming. The hard work the dancers put into the show translates beautifully on the stage, and I am extremely grateful that the Milton community acknowledges how amazing that is.”

This year’s numbers include Latin, African, Irish, modern, hip-hop and contemporary dance. New this year is a traditional Ukrainian folk dance, choreographed by a student from the Ukraine.

Approximately 70 dancers are taking part in this year’s Winter Dance Concert, along with six to ten student tech crew members, says Kelli Edwards, performing arts department chair and dance instructor. There are 16 dances, two of which are choreographed by faculty; one originated in a class, and the rest are student-choreographed. Science faculty member Kevin Moy choreographed the introductory dance, a big performance involving 24 dancers.

For the dance that she choreographed, Kelli asked Zan Huang (II) to compose some music—he ended up writing a piece for a string quartet, which will be performed live during the dance concert.

“We’ve been going back and forth, and I’ve worked on the dance in sections as the music comes along,” Kelli says. “It’s been interesting and great, but also challenging. It’s a very different thing to perform with live music, and I think that will be valuable for the students involved.”

The Winter Dance concert opens Thursday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in King Theatre, and runs Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m.

The student one-act plays are a venue for student directors and actors to showcase their talents in a broad array of plays and topics. This year there are three one-acts, completely directed, acted and tech-supported by students. Jennifer Lim (II) is directing “A Game” which stars Brie Lewis (II), Charlotte Kane (I), Calvin Bonomo (IV) and Talia Sherman (IV).

“I chose ‘A Game’ because this play demonstrates the complexity of the human mind and human emotion, and the play’s high intensity would also capture the audience’s attention,” says Jennifer. “In addition, our own interpretations of what the human mind and consciousness is to us would leave room for interpretation. This play demonstrates the power and impact of our words.

“Directing this past season has been a positive experience for me. I have staged managed for Milton productions, but I did not have directing experience. Watching Mr. Fuller, Mr. Parisi, and Ms. Anastas direct in the past has helped me a lot. It was a very exciting and rewarding experience for me to be able to apply what I have seen and learned in the past.”

“Post-Its: Notes on a Marriage” directed by Devon Whalen (II) and starring Sarah Acker-Krzywicki (I) and James Millington (IV) is about a couple’s relationship as told through Post-Its they write each other.

“The Universal Language” is directed by Clara Wolff (I) and stars Eloise Maybank (III) and Ben Simpson (III). It’s a comedy about the power of communication beyond words.

The One Acts begins in the Studio Theatre on Thursday, February 21, and Friday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 23 at 7 p.m.

Amaya Sangurima-Jimenez, RETRATO DE MI HERMANO, acrylic on canvas, 9 by 12 inches, 2018

A “remarkable” number of student writers and artists were recognized in the Massachusetts Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running competition to identify creative talent among students. Earlier in the week, Ms. Baker and Mr. Torney announced the winners at assembly.

Scholastic works in conjunction with the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and the Boston Globe to judge regional winners. Gold and Silver Key winners are welcome to participate in the regional awards celebration, which will be held on March 16 at Tufts. Gold Key award-winning work will be exhibited at the Massachusetts Scholastic Art and Writing Awards regional exhibition at Tufts University from March 16 through March 25.

Gold Key work is currently being reviewed at the national level in New York City by panels of creative professionals for National Medal honors. National Medalists selected by these panelists will be announced on March 13.

All Scholastic Writing Regional Gold Key Winners

Caroline Bragg for Flash Fiction
Malia Chung for Poetry
Eliza Dunn for Poetry
Sarah Hsu for Flash Fiction
Kiely Johnson for Poetry
Kiely Johnson for Poetry
Akua Owusu for Memoir
Nikhil Pande for Poetry
Liv Pouliot for Poetry
Eleanor Raine for Poetry
Evita Thadhani for Flash Fiction
Clara Wolff for Poetry
Erika Yip for Poetry

AND, notably:

Akua Owusu for her Writing Portfolio

All Scholastic Writing Regional Silver Key Winners

Adiza Alasa for Poetry
John Albright for his Writing Portfolio
Caroline Bragg for Fiction
Jennifer Chen for Fiction
Malia Chung for Poetry
Malia Chung for Poetry
Malia Chung for Journalism
Sarah Hsu for Flash Fiction
Eleni Mazareas for Poetry
Leydn McEvoy for Poetry
Tatiana Meyer for Memoir
Jenna Peters for Poetry
Eloise Stikeleather for Poetry
Olivia Wang for Poetry
Erika Yip for Flash Fiction

All Scholastic Writing Regional Honorable Mention Winners

Caroline Bragg for Flash Fiction
Jennifer Chen for her Writing Portfolio
Malia Chung for Journalism
Malia Chung for Memoir
Kendelle Grubbs for Poetry
Ainsley Iwanicki for Poetry
Grace Li for Poetry
Grace Li for Critical Essay
Grace Li for Critical Essay
Bella Lora for Poetry
Tatiana Meyer for Poetry
Akua Owusu for Poetry
George Rose for Poetry
Dariya Subkhanberdina for Poetry
Evita Thadhani for Poetry
Hana Widerman for her Writing Portfolio  

All Scholastic Art Regional Gold Key Winners

Erin Brady – Drawing and Illustration, Hand in Motion
Erin Brady – Painting, STARE
Asia Chung – Drawing and Illustration, I Too Am Milton
Parker Hitt – Painting, Self-Portrait
Parker Hitt – Printmaking, No. 1
Amaya Sangurima-Jimenez – Painting, Retrato de mi Hermano

All Scholastic Art Regional Silver Key Winners

Erin Brady – Drawing and Illustration, Glimpse
Erin Brady – Digital Art, Baby Teeth
Asia Chung – Painting, Do You See What I See?
Asia Chung – Painting, I Don’t Speak Jamaican
Parker Hitt – Art Portfolio, Look On
Parker Hitt – Painting, Self & Steggie
Grace Li – Photography, form
Jennifer Lim – Painting, City Nights
Jiawei Sun – Mixed Media, Michael
Yuki Tsutsumi – Drawing and Illustration, photorealistic drawing of man
Yuki Tsutsumi – Drawing and Illustration, photorealistic drawing of horse

All Scholastic Art Regional Honorable Mention Winners

Asia Chung – Painting, Verify
Asia Chung – Painting, Self Portrait
Sebastian Haro – Photography, Dreamliner
Sebastian Haro – Art Portfolio, Cheese Balls’ Day Out
Jeanette Hitt – Photography, Emergence
Parker Hitt – Painting, Kiara
Parker Hitt – Painting, Sarah
Parker Hitt – Painting, Olivia & Asia
Parker Hitt – Printmaking, NipSlip No. 2
Jennifer Lim – Drawing and Illustration, Point of View
Jennifer Lim – Painting, Market
Jennifer Lim – Drawing and Illustration, Insects
Caroline Spahr – Art Portfolio, Empowomen
Jiawei Sun – Painting, Circle of Life
Jiawei Sun – Painting, Blissful Innocence
Jiawei Sun – Mixed Media, Dive
Yuki Tsutsumi – Painting, photorealistic drawing of woman
Yuki Tsutsumi – Drawing and Illustration, Illustration of Chinese Mythology and Imagined Scenery
Yuki Tsutsumi – Drawing and Illustration, photorealistic drawing of panther
Yuki Tsutsumi – Drawing and Illustration, photorealistic drawing of scenery in village of cambodia