A Spring Arts Season in Full Bloom

 

 

Audiences were treated to a vibrant lineup this month that included Spring Shorts & Shakes, the inaugural DoPA-Patiopalooza, and the Masters Dance Company spring concert.

“Spring in DoPA has been a productive, joyful time,” said Jennifer Carnevale, chair of the Department of Performing Arts. “Students performed in theaters of all sizes, locations and configurations, and we could not be prouder of their work!”

Students from Advanced Acting and Playwriting classes came together in the Experimental Theater to produce six short plays that Beth Manspeizer, upper school theater teacher, described as “personal, touching, meaningful, humorous and dramatic.”

The shorts were directed by Annette Choi ’26, Emme Disick ’27, Gemma Gilmartin ’27, Ross Manzano ’26 and Gigi Wheeler ’27.

Manzano directed “Color of Cayenne” and “Call Me Home,” the latter of which they also wrote. The play was inspired by their relationship with their older brother, Charlie ’23: “I have this banter-y sort of situation where oftentimes I'm annoying him, or he's annoying me. And when he went away to college, I missed him.”

The other half of Spring Shorts & Shakes was the magical upper school spring production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Manspeizer.

William Jin ’26 starred as Nick Bottom in the beloved comedy of mistaken identities and romantic chaos. He reflected on being part of the first Shakespeare cast to use Follett Terrace as a stage: “I really enjoyed working outside, and I love how much I could interact with the audience. My character was a very funny and eccentric guy, and it was fun to step into that role.”

The Masters Dance Company’s much-anticipated spring concert, “Mood Point,” offered something for everyone.

Melissa Edwards, MDC director, explained, “The concert was completely student-choreographed, so the moods traversed the experiences of seven different humans- sophomores, juniors and seniors. There are three pieces that I would consider dark and moody modern/contemporary, each with a different vibe and/or narrative. We closed with a nostalgic celebration of youth and friendship via contemporary movement. There was also a gorgeous, intimate ballet duet, a lively hip-hop piece and a sentimental lyrical dance.”

Senior Ari Melnick, who plans to study dance at George Mason University in the fall, savored the bittersweet moment with his MDC family, including fellow seniors M’kaela Riley (choreographer/producer), Tatum Wallach and Niana Degelman.

“It was very hard saying goodbye,” Melnick said. “I've been a part of MDC for four years, so it's become a big part of my life but I know that the people who are coming up to be its leaders next year are very capable, and I'm excited to see where they take the company.”

To wrap up an amazing season, DoPA-Patiopalooza made its rockin’ debut on Follett Patio during a beautiful Reunion weekend. 

Alumnae/i cheered on the School’s student-directed performing groups which included: K-pop cover dances with KODE, ’80s rock with Walkman, spoken word poetry with Outspoken, musical theater with Cabaret Troupe, high voice a cappella singing with Dohters, contemporary dance with Muse, international traditional and contemporary music with The Reck, ’90s alternative rock with 49 Clinton, and classic R&B and soul with Positive Rhythm.