Performing Arts Students Set the Stage for a New Season

Across the Upper School, rehearsals have begun for the School’s Mainstage theater and Masters Dance Company (MDC) productions. 

Jennifer Carnevale, chair of the Department of Performing Arts, is ready. “We are excited to open the school year with two co-curricular productions, in addition to a multitude of classes,” she said. “We have a great season lined up and cannot wait to share it with the community.”

The dancers set the tempo early, meeting on the first day of school and wrapping up their auditions last week. “They are excited about the diversity of the pieces and the new and returning choreographers,” said MDC Director Melissa Edwards.

The group first welcomed guest choreographer Starla Edwards, who is setting up a piece from the repertory of McKoy Dance Project, a Brooklyn-based dance company. Twenty-four students learned a combination drawing on contemporary, house and West African dance vocabularies. 

The roster of pieces and choreographers for the school year includes works by Melissa Edwards along with a Bollywood-inspired collaboration. Emelia Sikorsky returns to set a jazzy contemporary piece; Sasha Gologorskaya, who dances with MorDance, will set a ballet work; Michael Spencer Phillips, who danced with RIOULT Dance and is now artistic director of Site-Specific Dances, will set a modern piece; and Marcus Williams, who dances in “The Lion King” on Broadway, will set a hip-hop number.

Save the date for the Masters Dance Company fall concerts on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. in Strayer Theater.

Beth Manspeizer, upper school theater director and teacher, is looking forward to helping her students bring myriad colorful characters to life on stage, from Miss Scarlett to Colonel Mustard to Professor Plum, in the comedic whodunit, “Clue: HS Edition” (Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn; written by Sandy Rustin; additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture and the Hasbro board game).

“They are a fabulous group — a great mix of many kids who also take the acting and playwriting classes,” Manspeizer said. “This wonderful comedic farce, rich with story, characters and humor, is a delightful piece of theater.”

Mark your calendar for the Mainstage fall production of “Clue: HS Edition” (Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn; written by Sandy Rustin; additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture and the Hasbro board game) on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Strayer Theater.