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. At Brooks, this journey is highlighted by close work with the theater and dance faculty.
Fall Play
Arsenic and Old Lace was performed November 10-12 at 7:30 p.m.
Read our news story about the production
"Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding."
—Synopsis from Dramatists Play Service
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.
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. . . . I really enjoyed being a part of them!"
Katie O'Brien '19
Arts News
![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!