Articulation and confidence are two qualities we strive for at Wakefield School and the Performing Arts Program aids students in achieving these goals. Through local and international performances, speeches, and concerts, the students are given platforms to build communication skills in a fun, friendly, and safe environment. Some of the unique events include:
- Thespian International Troup
- CAPPIES Team
- Winter Community Musical
- 2017 Performance at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland
I'm a strong advocate for the performing arts because it encourages confidence in students. And it teaches them to think on their feet, to be in the moment, and to respond in an articulate way. The performing arts encourages this in a fun way, wrapped with aesthetic achievement and appreciation in a nice, tidy package.
We're most fortunate to have a very strong program at Wakefield that allows our students to come to the Arts building for music in the Lower School twice a week, in most cases. In the Middle School, our music program supports a chorus, band, strings, guitar, and a strong handbell program. In our Middle School Creative Arts Program, our students take a theater course, which we run in a workshop format to, again, teach this confidence. And it culminates in a performance on the stage of a play where theater exercises annually.
I've been in the past five shows. And it really has taught me responsibility and time management. And it really also boosted my self-confidence, onstage and offstage. And I feel important, especially when people come up to me asking for my autograph and telling me what a wonderful job I've done on stage.
