Arts Assembly
A hard act to follow… When a day starts with singing, dancing, jazz groups, film and art slides, the second act, i.e. returning to the normal routine of classes, is tough! Every fall one early morning is set aside in the Upper School for the Arts Assembly. While this is an annual event, each year seems to be better than the previous year. There are performances in Baker and Massey Theaters, each done twice, and the students who start on one campus finish on the other. The only serious downside is that the performers do not get to see the presentation on the other campus – otherwise the morning is perfect.
The show at Greenwich Academy started with the Madrigals, accompanied by GA faculty member Joe Knowlton on the guitar. The student’s voices were strong and clear and the crisp diction enhanced the audience experience. 
Next up were scenes from the GA fall play which will be performed November 19-21. There were lots of laughs as GA and Brunswick actors took the roles of students at the New York High School for Performing Arts in an audition for “Romeo and Juliet.” Four Brunswick boys then joined another GA singing group in a robust gospel tune. When choreography was added to the song the audience let out “hoots and hollers.” In an instant the performers became stage hands and cleared the space for film presentations followed by dance.
Next up were scenes from the GA fall play which will be performed November 19-21. There were lots of laughs as GA and Brunswick actors took the roles of students at the New York High School for Performing Arts in an audition for “Romeo and Juliet.” Four Brunswick boys then joined another GA singing group in a robust gospel tune. When choreography was added to the song the audience let out “hoots and hollers.” In an instant the performers became stage hands and cleared the space for film presentations followed by dance. Two short films, one about mean girls and one mimicking the 1980 miracle on ice before game pep talk followed by game footage, were both professional and entertaining. If the crowd did not know those mean girls in real life they would have been warned to keep their distance. The coach’s pre-game pep talk included fun touches like a large hockey player listening while stuffed in his locker! Following the films the screen blackened and visual art work was displayed while wonderful upbeat tunes were played. The combination of painting, drawing, sculpture and photography was awesome. The GA portion ended with numerous dance groups showing artistic
athleticism. Costuming and colors added to the show and intriguing elements such as black forms backlit were dramatic additions.
athleticism. Costuming and colors added to the show and intriguing elements such as black forms backlit were dramatic additions.On to Brunswick’s half during which there was more singing, acting, art slides and lots of instrumental play. The stage set from the Brunswick fall play was still in place, enhanced by lots of art work and adjusted to replicate Mr. Roger’s neighborhood home. The narrator acting as Mr. Rogers in a comfortable sweater, then welcomed each of the players to the neighborhood. He talked down to his audience, treating them like 6 year-olds, in a most authentic manner. He keep a string of storytelling going through the segment repeating that art in its many forms is just another way of telling a story. At one point when there was a technical delay as musicians set up he ad-libbed, something to the effect of “I should have gotten a technician, I am too old to know what to do with this stuff.” When Alexander Constantine came through Mr. Roger’s door he looked and him and commented, “Shouldn’t your sweater be red?” While there were lots of laughs with the Mr. Roger’s neighborhood theme, the art work performed and presented was seriously professional. Included amongst the performers were the Men of Brunswick (the MOB,) about 25 strong, several improv ins
trumental groups directed by Shane Kirsch, the 12 – the elite all male a capella group and in grand finale the Blue Notes directed by Paul Raaen. As with the presentation at GA, art slides representing many artistic media were shown, accompanied by music. The variety of artwork included sculpture, graphic design, photography, painting and combinations thereof.
trumental groups directed by Shane Kirsch, the 12 – the elite all male a capella group and in grand finale the Blue Notes directed by Paul Raaen. As with the presentation at GA, art slides representing many artistic media were shown, accompanied by music. The variety of artwork included sculpture, graphic design, photography, painting and combinations thereof. The element added to all of the above in Baker Theater was the combination of house and stage lighting to create special effects. The house lights are really a mood changing vehicle as they flash in synchronized patterns augmenting or reflecting what is happening on the stage. Brunswick is so fortunate to have this state of the art facility. In addition to the arts classes so well represented by the performances the design aspect of theater is now part of the arts curriculum and was well displayed at the Arts Assembly.
And so, after a morning of music, art, film, dancing and acting students and faculty alike went back to their classes and the routine of the day. Everyone, however, agreed that this is a unique way to start school on an otherwise ordinary Thursday, and yes a tough act to follow!
