Innovations in the Arts - Newark Academy

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“... the idea of young people writing for young people was exciting.” 16 written by Newark Academy alumni and the winter musical, The Klemperers’ New Clothes, a new production making its high school debut at Newark Academy. Planning for the fall drama began two summers ago when Jacoby approached three very talented alums to write original plays. “I thought it was the right time to try something new and the idea of young people writing for young people was exciting,” said Jacoby. “Given the dark tones of the past two fall dramas, The Triangle Factory Fire Project and The Shadow Box, I thought it was time to lighten the mood.” Post-Dramatic Stress Disorder featuring Fractal by Ruth Shannon ’04, Roommates by Michael Sterling ’04 and The Play Michael’s Mom Wrote by Sam Weinreich ’05 was performed by Newark Academy students in the Black Box in November. The word “synergy” has been defined as “the attainment of output, when two factors work together, that is greater or better than the sum of their products when they work separately.” This term truly defined the process of producing and performing in Post-Dramatic Stress Disorder. Senior and Fractal actor Alex Stein said, “Mr. Jacoby was more open in his role as director. He did not have a preconceived idea in mind and allowed the actors much more freedom throughout the character development process.” Senior Sarah Gross, who also performed in Fractal said, “There was a lot of freedom: freedom in developing roles as well as freedom in direction. The research and creation of a character put more responsibility on the actors. In comparison to past productions, the entire experience was more collaborative.” Junior Mike Mszanski who acted in The Play Michael’s Mom Wrote remarked, “When performing in a well-known play like The Shadow Box, there are certain expectations. When performing in an original production, you figure it out as you go along.”
Winter Musical: The Klemperers’ New Clothes This year’s winter musical, The Klemperers’ New Clothes, found its way to Newark Academy through the combination of good connections and perfect timing. Nearly three years ago, a Newark Academy parent recommended sound designer Daryl Bornstein. Bornstein, who has worked on such productions as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, the MTV Video Awards and 1997 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, has assisted with several school productions. It was Bornstein who brought The Klemperers’ New Clothes to Jacoby’s attention for consideration. Loosely based on The Emperor’s New Clothes, the musical is set in rural Kansas and explores the difference between selling yourself and telling the truth. The musical, by Norman Weiss (music) and William Squier (book and lyrics) has won several new script contests, including the Coleman A. Jennings Award, the Jackie White Memorial Award and the 11th Annual National Children’s Festival’s award. The opportunity to present two original works within the same academic year was a “wow!” for Jacoby. He commented, “Performing an original musical takes all of us out of our comfort zones.” Leading actor Joe Longthorne ’08 added, “ I am planning to pursue theater in college and I am particularly excited to have the opportunity to originate a role, to craft my own character.” Alumni Connections Jason Luks ’05, a student at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and world-class tap dancer, recently returned to Newark Academy to lead a week of master classes for the advanced dance class. In this master class, Luks choreographed and taught an original dance work. Yvette Luxenberg, director of dance, said, “It was a wonderful experience for the students to learn from someone, close to their own age, who had attended Newark Academy.” When asked why she worked and danced along with her students (to learn Luks’ piece,) Luxenberg commented, “I learn a lot by actually doing new moves, rather than just sitting on the side watching. These new moves become part of my ‘muscle memory.’ I believe it is important for my students to see that teachers still are learning.” “Performing an original musical takes all of us out of our comfort zones.” 17
Page 1 and 2: outreach NEWARK ACADEMY SPRING 2008
Page 3 and 4: Contents 14 21 22 Features 14 Ignit
Page 5 and 6: Perspectives FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOO
Page 7 and 8: Last January, Elizabeth Barbato (En
Page 9 and 10: WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE A SCHOOL-WI
Page 11 and 12: Fabulous Fibs Mathematician Leonard
Page 13 and 14: When Someday BY MARCIA WORTH-BAKER
Page 15 and 16: NA ATHLETIC TEAMS HAVE A NEW LOOK!
Page 17: Fresh Faces In September 2007, Vira
Page 21 and 22: THE 2008 ANNUAL FUND PHONATHON MORE
Page 23 and 24: A “GROWING” EFFORT During the w
Page 25 and 26: “Travel itself is more than mere
Page 27 and 28: own carbon footprint on the earth,
Page 29 and 30: Some of measures that Crystal Sprin
Page 31 and 32: from the Archives by Blackie Parlin
Page 33 and 34: Alumni News & Events From the Presi
Page 35 and 36: 1 2 4 6 5 3 NEW YORK CITY December
Page 37 and 38: Alumni Soccer The annual alumni soc
Page 39 and 40: Class Notes 1930 Bob Busse was rece
Page 41 and 42: ecently been appointed director of
Page 43 and 44: suffered from this illness and is n
Page 45 and 46: him rollerblading around his neighb
Page 47 and 48: The Hinson family: Laura, Eli ’85
Page 49 and 50: Emily Uddin-Alves ’91 and husband
Page 51 and 52: Melanie Richards ’95 and her husb
Page 53 and 54: Clockwise from the top: Rachel Klin
Page 55 and 56: Newark Academy Minuteman Golf Invit

Innovations in the Arts - Newark Academy

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