Two special opportunities came together behind the scenes to help make Brooks’ production a royal treat.
Theater
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Sixth-former Arshia Sharma has become a vocal advocate for initiatives at Brooks that center on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
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.
In a new twist on the traditional event, Brooks’ annual music festival was held on a Saturday night for the first time this year.
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.
The winter musical brings all that jazz to Great Pond Road!
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!
Painter Julia S. Powell shared with students the story of her career 180, furthering discussion of the ideas in this year's All Community Read, The Midnight Library.
With the exciting news that one of her artworks was recently selected for an international exhibition, Art Department Chair Babs Wheelden is living her motto.
For her theater independent, Delaney Eiland '22 produced, cast, starred in and directed the musical "The Mad Ones."