CAMPUS CONNECTION
A Sparkling Performance of Mamma Mia! in the Newly Renovated Walker Auditorium P H OTO S B Y S C OT T B A R R O W
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acoustics, and lighting all shone for the premiere of Mamma Mia! as it marked the opening of the newly renovated Walker Auditorium. The feel-good musical, which included four HDA performances in February, marked the reopening in grand style. In total, more than 50 students performed in the show, with another 15 helping with lighting, sound, set building, and other production work. Prior to the Feb. 12 performance, Head of School Craig Bradley offered thanks to the Board of Trustees, the families of the Classes of 2019 and 2020, and many other donors who helped make the renovation a success. In particular, he expressed gratitude to the Gould family for making a critically important leadership gift. Robert R. Gould ’77 serves as the Board of Trustees’s co-president. The Gould family gift was made in honor of Jean Gould, Bob’s mother, and the stage is named for her. To the delight of everyone in attendance, Academy Award winning actress Meryl Streep P’98 (who starred in the film version of Mamma Mia!) sent a congratulatory video to the cast and crew. Shown prior to the show, the audience was thrilled by the surprise, which sparked high energy and excitement for the entire production. “Sending you so much love and congratulations to all of you,” Ms. Streep added, before signing off by singing the musical’s famous chorus line, “Mamma mia, here we go again!” Walker was constructed in 1967 with a gift from Shaw Walker ’33, P’81,’83,’86,’87 as a venue for theater, dance, and musical performances. Since then, Walker has evolved to be much more than an event space; it is a touchstone of community life at Hotchkiss as it enables excellent teaching and supports vital community and arts programming. Walker will be a place of fun and enjoyment now and for generations to come. H HE CAST, CREW, MUSICIANS,
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