![Kayla Gutkoski '25 Theater Independent "The Last Five Years"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746218692/brooksschoolorg/shrr41s0ygvpsxjnvzdi/kayla-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746218692/brooksschoolorg/shrr41s0ygvpsxjnvzdi/kayla-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Kayla Gutkoski ’25 fields questions about the theater Independent she’s directing — and her experience making art at Brooks for the last four years.
Theater
All the world is a stage, and studying theater is the key to better understanding that world stage.
By exploring a character, we learn about our own character. When asked to literally walk in another’s footsteps, you learn empathy and what it is like to stand in someone else’s shoes. Theater and dance teach us about ourselves, while at the same time revealing the world around us.
Come see the spring musical!
Firetrail Theatre is pulling out all the stops this spring to bring the Broadway sensation "Hadestown" to life at Brooks May 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. With bold design choices and innovative staging that mirrors the show's cyclical themes, this production offers an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back again.
A haunting and evocative folk opera, the show weaves together the mythic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone. Set in a world of shifting seasons and fateful choices, "Hadestown" delivers a resonant, hopeful experience that speaks to the power of love, sacrifice, and song. Explore more about the show's content and reserve your free ticket now!
Kicking off a three-night run on February 27, Brooks School's Firetrail Theatre put on spring play "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors." See an album of photos from the student-directed production!
At Brooks, this journey is highlighted by close work with the theater and dance faculty. The theater program provides the novice and experienced stage performer with opportunities to study the art of the theater.
Students examine a variety of styles, periods, and cultural traditions, enabling them to gain experience in all aspects of theater: acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theater design.
Students develop and perform dramatic pieces based on original material and develop critical and analytical skills through script study and performance observations. Students are able to work on three main theater productions each year:
- a play
- a musical
- a nontraditional project.
The nontraditional projects are shows designed to give students opportunities that they would not find in the standard season or at other institutions. For example, students may take on the role of playwright, director or designer, or we may chose to do a selection of works that highlight specific talents which would otherwise go unnoticed.
Spring Musical
Brooks' Firetrail Theatre put on an electrifying performance of "SIX: Teen Edition," featuring a powerhouse group of performers. This modern twist on history blended powerful storytelling with a pop concert vibe, as Henry VIII's wives reclaimed their narratives.
An incredible group of student performers and technicians pulled out all the stops to bring the iconic musical "Footloose" to life on stage at Brooks November 9 - 11.
In addition to the main season, several smaller showcases are produced throughout the year. Formal course work and independent studies in acting and directing are available to all students.
In dance, there are two showings that take place during the fall and spring terms.
From improvisational and standup comedy to class scene presentations and the musical "Cabaret," Brooks theater provides an opportunity for every student at every level.
"The productions I've joined have been a very important part of my Brooks experience."
![Winter Play Dracula]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742312945/brooksschoolorg/v2u4u7iezypuqc4zzc2d/dracula-thumb.gif","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742312945/brooksschoolorg/v2u4u7iezypuqc4zzc2d/dracula-thumb.gif","width":400}])
Abby Derderian ’25 used their acting and theater crew experience to transform into a director and slay the winter play, “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.”
![Fall 2024 Musical Mean Girls]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734144637/brooksschoolorg/nnx9ppda1tmxodmklucq/mean-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734144637/brooksschoolorg/nnx9ppda1tmxodmklucq/mean-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The cast and crew of the fall musical “Mean Girls” paired publicity of their show with a call to action for inclusivity.
![Six Musical 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715960972/brooksschoolorg/ixwjpki53tjgosmeoupt/SIX-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715960972/brooksschoolorg/ixwjpki53tjgosmeoupt/SIX-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Two special opportunities came together behind the scenes to help make Brooks’ production a royal treat.
![Arshia Sharma '24: Student Profile from the Brooks Bulletin, Fall 2023.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1708467885/brooksschoolorg/eltoqbwu9fqhmltsduve/student-profile-thumb-arshia.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1708467885/brooksschoolorg/eltoqbwu9fqhmltsduve/student-profile-thumb-arshia.jpg","width":400}])
Sixth-former Arshia Sharma has become a vocal advocate for initiatives at Brooks that center on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
![Dress rehearsal for Footloose, Nov. 2023]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699900256/brooksschoolorg/inotgmlaq8b4t2jrzm4r/footloose-new-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699900256/brooksschoolorg/inotgmlaq8b4t2jrzm4r/footloose-new-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
This year’s musical Footloose is a “surprises filled” celebration of singing and dancing that delivers a unique take on the fan favorite and will get everyone moving.
![Photo of Brookstock 2023.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684349466/brooksschoolorg/fymbhaybklalzb09b6wt/stock-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684349466/brooksschoolorg/fymbhaybklalzb09b6wt/stock-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
In a new twist on the traditional event, Brooks’ annual music festival was held on a Saturday night for the first time this year.
![Photo of student performing in the 2023 Arts Cabaret.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1682714955/brooksschoolorg/aucb7xbkp18dwu78z7mw/cabaret23-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1682714955/brooksschoolorg/aucb7xbkp18dwu78z7mw/cabaret23-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The Brooks Arts Cabaret wove together theater and music, monologues and ensembles, bright jazz and sultry rock into one impressive performance to a standing-room-only crowd.
![Photo of students in dress rehearsal performing the winter musical Chicago.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677273632/brooksschoolorg/dyluxwatlbkocrb9f7io/Chicago-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1677273632/brooksschoolorg/dyluxwatlbkocrb9f7io/Chicago-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The winter musical brings all that jazz to Great Pond Road!
![Killing It]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669220621/brooksschoolorg/wdpwdyng1pcggfotpsnx/arsenic-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669220621/brooksschoolorg/wdpwdyng1pcggfotpsnx/arsenic-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The cast and crew of Brooks’ Firetrail Theatre company slayed in the fall play, a production of Arsenic and Old Lace on campus November 10-13. Even new Assistant Head of School Nina Hanlon got in on the act!