Like every other department at Fieldston, the Performing Arts department has had to make several changes and compromises in the wake of an unconventional school year. Normally at this time of year, students interested in acting would be taking classes in the DTL and Dance Studio, or going to after school rehearsals for the spring musical. This year, however, students join Google Meet calls from their bedrooms and various workspaces to act and dance. So much of performing arts (especially at Fieldston) thrives because of the community that forms between the students and faculty.
Having to switch school and extracurricular activities to an online space created a concern for myself and other students who do theater and dance at Fieldston. How will we be able to connect and bond as a cast for each show? How will we be able to cry to our arts teachers if we can’t be with them in person? Won’t it be awkward to act and dance over Google Meets? Although trivial in the broader context of the pandemic, these were genuine questions that I had when the world shut down last March. Something I had not considered was the pure strength of the Fieldston performing arts department and how powerful it truly can be. Of course, it is disappointing that we can’t perform on stage or hug each other during the long hours of tech week, but in the past year, the performing arts community has found ways to bring light to such a dark time.
Though always true, but especially in the past year, I have realized the importance of art in not only maintaining sanity but inspiring creativity. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for everyone, which means that the need for art and art communities ought to be more of a priority than ever before. As the secretary of performing arts this school year, I knew that I needed to ensure a strong presence, because I know how many people at Fieldston rely on theater and dance. My central focus (as secretary and member of the theatre and dance advisory board) was to take advantage of the online space to promote community engagement.
In a normal year, there would have been a fall drama and two studio theatre performances already. This year, we have had two studio theatre performances, a pop-up event led by Alison Rodgers (VI), and an open studio led by Fieldston faculty, with much more to come in the next few months.
Because of the dedication and inspiration of the performing arts community and the use of a virtual platform, we have been able to create community engagement in a completely new way. For instance, small pop-up events and open studios allow for people to participate in arts without having major commitments or extra work that a mainstage show or class may have. As someone who has been a part of the performing arts community at Fieldston for a couple years now, it has been nothing short of incredible watching theater and dance take on new forms this year. In the remainder of the school year, look out for more pop-up events, a spring play and studio theatre show, a website and more!
All members of the Fieldston community are welcomed to participate in theater and dance, and coming from someone who knows the ins and outs of the department, I can attest to the brilliance and power of it all.
