Collaboration & Creativity

COLLABORATIONCOLLABORATION ANDAND CREATIVITYCREATIVITY

Songs and dance, bubbles, colorful costumes, and a story about everlasting friendship - what more could the audiences attending last year's performances of A Year With Frog and Toad want? "With two casts and constant collaboration, this isn't something that we' ve ever done, " said Theatre Director Megan Elliot at the end of the play ’s February 2022 debut, which featured a series of in-school performances. "But the students really nailed it and they definitely embraced the message of friendship in the story. Everyone was so supportive of one another and respectful of the different jobs they each had to do. The musical featured both Children's Theatre classes, giving the two casts the chance to rotate throughout the day. One class also took on much of the design and management work, along with the technical components lighting and sound - that helped to enhance the experience, and worked during intermission to answer questions from their younger audience members. "I didn't have a theatre program in my previous school and at first, I was hesitant to just jump in, " said Trevor Prince '24, who played Young Frog. "But, I really loved it. It was great working with my classmates, I loved the creative part of the process, and I even loved the singing. It was my first time doing that, too, and I think I have a pretty good voice. Also a first-time actor, Josh Neely '22, added that being on stage just "felt right. "I feel like I have been preparing for this through the other things I' ve done, " he said after the first performance. "Also, I love telling jokes, and my part, while it's also supposed to be scary, is kind of funny as well, so I was excited to give it a try and was pretty excited when I heard the audience’s response during the show. Interacting with the crowd is a large part of children’s theatre, Ms. Elliot added. “In years before, our ELC students were actually part of the performance, " she shared. "As we wanted to maintain health protocols, we looked for ways to keep that connection and getting the students to share what they were able to take from it was part of that. " Among other things, that included cast members moving around Prior Jollek Hall with bubble wands, which many described as one of their favorite parts of the show.

"It also gives the younger students the chance to learn from the older ones and that's exactly what many of them said, " said Ms. Elliot.

MOKO SUPRISE

Ninth-grade class officers spent weeks planning a surprise for the Middle and Upper School, which they unveiled in April during a special assembly. With Carnival on hold for the past two years, many students hadn't had the chance to fully experience the festivities, so the ninth grade invited master moko jumbie Randall Donovan, to share the history of stilt-walking and, with the help of Tori Aubain '28, a demonstration. Scan the QR code to the left using the camera app on your smart device to see more.

ANIMAL HABITATS

Second graders spent November researching different animal groups and put their knowledge to the test when designing a series of dioramas that showcased the habitats in which they live. The models were fully detailed –from glitter, sand, seashells, animal figurines, handmade trees or igloos - but best of all, incorporated the students' own notes of what's unique to each environment.

DIVERSITY

"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness. " - Ola Joseph