Arts

King students brought the opulent world of 1920s Long Island to life with a vibrant production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” blending drama, glamor, and the sparkling decadence of the Jazz Age. The school’s largest-ever production of 31 performers, 11 musicians, and a dedicated crew brought Fitzgerald’s iconic characters and timeless themes of ambition, love, and betrayal to life. Through compelling performances, students deepened their understanding of the novel’s rich, layered story, connecting classroom learning with the dazzling world of Gatsby’s lavish parties and tragic longing.

Middle school students launched the 2024-25 season with “Broadway Lights!,” an energetic showcase celebrating the best of American musical theater. Instead of following a single storyline, the revue-style production featured a variety of musical numbers, monologues, and scenes spanning decades of Broadway hits. The format allowed students to explore their unique interests in singing, acting, and dancing while managing flexible rehearsals around their busy schedules. Guided by directors Eleanor Bach and Amy Darnton, students gained new insights into character portrayal and performance as they worked through the challenges of crafting standalone pieces into a cohesive show, ultimately fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence on stage.

King School’s Middle School Chamber Orchestra and Beginning Strings stepped into the spotlight for the first time this year with “informances,” informal performances designed to educate the audience about the creative process behind the music. 

Held on Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, these open rehearsals offered a behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsal process, with music teacher Colin Benn guiding the audience through how the students develop and refine their pieces. Students in Grade 6 through Grade 8 showcased their progress after weeks of dedicated practice, setting the stage for the upcoming Winter Concert.

Joyful music filled the upper school gymnasium as the Upper School Band and Upper School Chorus performed a reimagined version of the "King School Fight Song," bringing renewed energy to a long-standing tradition. Originally composed years ago by Director of Performing Arts Garrett Mendez, the song now features new lyrics and an arrangement that resonates across generations. The performance symbolized Viking pride and unity as students, faculty, and staff celebrated together.

King thespians are shining bright this summer after securing spots at prestigious theater programs. Earlier in the year, Bella Kolenberg ’25, Zach Louizos ’25, and Hathaway Liparidis ’26 worked with performing arts teachers to prepare audition materials including monologues and songs, leading to Zach's acceptance into the University of Michigan’s Musical Theater Workshop and Bella and Hathaway's acceptance into Broadway Evolved. Additionally, Zach performed alongside other King students and faculty in "Fiddler on the Roof" at Curtain Call’s Kweskin Theater in June.

Congratulations to Matthew Graham Brown '24, who won “Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical” for his portrayal of The Man in the Chair in “The Drowsy Chaperone” at this year's Seven Angels Theatre Halo Awards!

The ceremony also featured Max Marti ’27, who represented King on stage for “The Drowsy Chaperone” on this year’s Halos Robe. The robe is a longstanding tradition that recognizes all musical ensembles from the current year.

King School boasted an impressive 18 nominations across a wide range of categories, a testament to the dedication and hard work of its student artists and educators. The nominations span acting, singing, technical aspects, and overall production excellence for their productions of "A Pickwick Christmas" and "The Drowsy Chaperone."

King Middle School's fabulous production of the classic tale “The Little Mermaid” marked the final theatrical show of the academic year. The play marks the first students-chosen script, an episodic piece that required full cooperation among the 21 actors, 10 student crew members, and four backstage adults to make the magic happen.

At this year's Art Colloquiums, seniors presented their culminating OPEN capstone portfolios after years of artistic exploration. The presentations at the Performing Arts Center showcased the students' personal growth and creative experimentation throughout their time at King. Themes of personal evolution, societal reflection, and artistic exploration were evident throughout the presentations, highlighting the diverse talents and perspectives of the graduating class.

Months of practice and rehearsal culminated at the Upper School Spring Instrumental and Choral Concert at King School's Performing Arts Center theater on Thursday, April 25. The genre-spanning showcase featured stellar work by the Chamber Strings, Choir, Jazz Combo, Band, and Project Music ensembles. A capstone of the upper school music experience, each performance served as a testament to the collective effort and growth of the ensembles throughout the year.