King School’s Performing Arts Department brought F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” to life on stage, captivating audiences with a performance that combined drama, glamor, and poignant storytelling. The production showcased the exceptional talent of King students and the creative vision of Performing Arts teacher Mark Silence.

“I chose Gatsby because it was a great piece of literature that was or would be familiar to the students in the production and to the audience,” said Silence. “Students read ‘The Great Gatsby’ in their junior year, so it was a great opportunity to make a connection with their work in class.” 

The production featured a set design that transported audiences to the opulent world of 1920s Long Island, complete with stunning costumes that echoed the Jazz Age. Live music performed by King musicians enhanced the atmosphere, and several scenes required students to perform authentic 1920s-style dances, further immersing audiences in the era. Students brought Fitzgerald’s iconic characters Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Nick Carraway to life through compelling performances that highlighted themes of ambition, love, and betrayal.

The production demonstrated the school’s commitment to the performing arts and showcased inquiry-based learning as students researched the novel and its historical context to develop a deeper understanding of the characters and themes. This approach allowed students to make meaningful interdisciplinary connections between history and literature, aligning with this year’s school-wide theme of “Making Connections.” 

“I found that playing a character comes to me a lot easier when I know all the background knowledge ahead of time,” said Avery Murphy ’27 about her portrayal of Jordan Baker. “In the case of this show, I read the book and annotated and analyzed it for the character I play.”

Silence saw the potential for the play to augment students’ classroom conversations, analyzing the characters and time-period of the novel.

“Some of the reactions and reflections that I have heard from the cast have to do with the familiarity of the themes in this play and how they are timeless and made more interesting and relevant by experiencing them in a historical context,” said Silence.

Lucas Pignotti ’27, who served as an understudy for the role of Nick Carraway, shared his perspective on the experience: “This production has been so essential to me. It has exposed me to so much and given me a fundamental understanding of theater. I feel that I have grown as an actor, largely by studying upperclassmen who I can learn so much from and look up to. I have been able to learn how to develop complex relationships with characters and how to emphasize the dynamics between them.”

This production marked a milestone for King: the largest cast ever assembled for a play. A total of 31 performers took the stage, including one crew member who also performed and managed quick costume changes. An additional six crew members, 11 student musicians, and the entire Performing Arts Department came together to make it all happen.

There was a strong mix of students from all upper school grades. Students balanced rehearsals with sports and academics, while faculty from multiple disciplines – theater, instrumental, and choral – came together to support the production. The result was a true team effort that highlighted the school’s vibrant artistic community.

By weaving together their studies and their performance, students brought “The Great Gatsby” to life and gained a richer appreciation of its relevance to the past and present.

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