The week before Spring Break, Class 2 had the chance to show off their writing, acting, singing, and dancing talents, bringing the Black Box Theater to life with three original and equally delightful productions. The cross-disciplinary play festival expanded on the grade’s far-reaching study of New York City, a cornerstone of the curriculum.
The project started in Drama where the students in each section selected a city landmark that would serve as the focal point for their play. Guided by Lower School Drama Teacher Sarah Bellantoni, the girls worked together to develop characters and transform their ideas into a script.
Downstairs in the Dance Studio, LS Dance Teacher Susan Strong introduced the students to movement exercises before dividing them into pairs to create the choreography for their plays’ energetic dance sequences. The last stop was the fifth-floor Music room and more dynamic collaboration, resulting in bouncy musical phrases and catchy lyrics for the signature songs. LS Music Teacher Hallie Stotler offered both support and encouragement.
All this hard work culminated in three impressive, landmark-centered productions that were filled with humor, suspense, action and wonderful song-and-dance numbers. With their parents/guardians, teachers and the other second-grade sections watching eagerly, the students performed their hearts out. Their joy and confidence were contagious.
Congratulations to Soo Kim and Alex Adams’ class for their play “The Bridge to History” about the Brooklyn Bridge; Kim Tran and Sophie Pelletier’s class for their play “The Great Fluffy Rescue” about Grand Central Station; and Chelsea Sue and Yasmin Hassan’s class for their play “Statue in the Storm” about the Statue of Liberty.
Thank you to the many behind-the-scenes people who helped Class 2 shine: Robert Thaxton-Stevenson and Lindsay Quinn (Fine and Performing Arts Department); Ms. Tran, Ms. Pelletier, Ms. Kim, Mr. Adams, Ms. Sue, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Bellantoni, Ms. Strong and Ms. Stotler; Rowan Halpin (LS Science); Patricia Norchi (Music Program Coordinator); Thérèse Cruite, Yvonne Doggett and Lulu Cossich (LS Office); Evamarie Deevy (Food Services); Bobby Jenks (Security); Wanda Diaz (Reception); and Sonia Pinzón, Tom Palermo, Steve Guadagnino and the entire Facilities team
