 “Mamma Mia!” There’s a lot in store in the Episcopal arts department this spring! Travel In February, 19 Episcopal students will travel to New York City for a whirlwind, three-day tour. Arts Department Director Paige Gagliano says this experience is a great opportunity for students who are interested in theater to learn more about the opportunities available to them. In just three days’ time, students will see three Broadway shows, participate in three Broadway theater workshops, visit two colleges and take in the sights and sounds of the city. They will do all this and still return home in time for Fat Tuesday festivities. In addition, 12 band students will travel to London for spring break where they will take in a concert and have the opportunity to perform. Even students in the visual arts program will have the opportunity for learning beyond the classroom once final details of their excursions are complete. Art-themed field trips are a great way for students to experience new places and explore their interests more in depth.  Triple Cast There is excitement around this spring’s musical theater production with a triple cast taking the stage in the musical “Mamma Mia!” Currently, 75 Middle and Upper School students are on the roster and Gagliano says by curtain time there could be as many as 80 students involved. “The talent has exploded,” says Gagliano of this up and coming group of student actors. She says “Mamma Mia!” provides a great opportunity for students to showcase a range of talents including acting, dancing and singing. Gagliano says “Mamma Mia!” was the perfect choice for this spring because of the student interest and enthusiasm. The cast is in their second week of music rehearsals as they prepare for a late March opening date.  Fostering Talent Gagliano and the arts team are excited to have so many students involved in the arts. “It’s our job to give everyone an opportunity to find their passion,” she says. Gagliano says it’s rewarding to see students explore their artistic talents and find that it is something they enjoy. One such student is senior Rowan Reilly who has discovered an appreciation for performing after taking a theater production class and being cast in “Evangeline.” “I wouldn’t have guessed it going into high school, but turns out I like it,” he says. Reilly also appreciates the practical skills he has gained from his theater experience. As an example, he says he recently received positive feedback from his thesis counterparts for his confidence and annunciation. Hearing Reilly discuss his theater experience and the practical applications he’s discovered was music to Gagliano’s ears. It is this type of feedback that keeps her and her colleagues going. “A teacher allows the actor to discover,” she says. “A teacher encourages a focus on the process and not the end product. We want students to have a higher level of thinking and analysis and to ask why.”  Episcopal art teachers are also fostering the talent of visual artists. Junior Katie Knight will have her artwork entitled “Emily” on display in the LSU Statewide Juried High School exhibition. The show runs between February 7th and March 7th at the Foster Gallery on the LSU campus. This is the second year in a row that Knight has been featured in this exhibition. According to the LSU School of Art website, “the goal of the exhibition is to inspire young artists by providing a platform for their work to be displayed in a professional, artistic venue and thus giving them a taste of a professional artist experience.” The arts are a key component of an Episcopal education. Whether a student aspires to be on Broadway or dreams of expressing their feelings through dance or drawing, there is an opportunity for everyone. Don’t miss your opportunity to support these talented students at an event this semester. In addition, look for Episcopal student artists at LAUNCH this spring. The artists will lead their classmates in creating a Chihuly sculpture for display in the VPAC. They will also have their own works on display. Upcoming Spring Arts Events:Spring musical: “Mamma Mia!” Sunday, March 29 – Sunday, April 5th (Excludes Wednesday, April 1st and Saturday, April 4th) VPAC Dance performance Thursday, April 23rd at 7:50 am VPAC Theatre Seminar performance Wednesday, April 29th at 5:30 pm Black Box Piano recital Sunday, April 26th VPAC Spring band concert Thursday, April 30th at 7 pm VPAC End of theYear Arts Banquet Saturday, May 2nd at 5 pm VPAC The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
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