News
Director's Notes on Romeo and Juliet
May 22, 2009
Here, Noctua reprints the Director's Notes from the program of Wakefield's production of Romeo and Juliet. In these notes, Mr. Guyotte reflects on the growth of the theatre program during his tenure at its helm.
Look around you for a moment. You see a large number of folks out for a night of quality theatre. They are expecting a show that will awe and excite them, allow for laughter and tenderness, and let them leave having experienced a sense of catharsis. When an audience comes to any Wakefield performance, they expect to see the best possible show that we can produce. This is not the same at every school.
As a matter of fact, one of the things that drew me to Wakefield School was a sense that the school community wanted something more than the average. I believe that Wakefield’s performing arts under the guidance of Chris Mulligan are very strong, offering an excellent performing and visual arts season. We do this without the benefit of a dedicated performing arts venue. Mrs. Mulligan’s mantra is “we do not allow the lack of a performing arts venue to be an excuse for producing less than excellent art.”
When you look at the faculty with which I have had the pleasure of working over the past five years, this is not so amazing. Chris Mulligan is an accomplished singer and performer, and an active member of the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral Choral Society, which is the music arm of the National Cathedral. Ray Karns spent many years singing with various opera companies in the U.S., Europe, and Israel. Nancy Hutcheson gives us clerical support, and coordinates or builds costumes for all or our productions. She is also very active with Very Special Arts and is in demand all over Northern Virginia. Lower School music teacher and hand bell teacher Katherine Jameson is the Organist and Choir director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Delapane.
The contributions of the fine arts faculty are important to us as well. Gary Genther, a successful graphic artist, guides students in creating our posters and advertising work Pat Tucker, whose work can be seen around campus, and Teresa Duke Dunnigan both offer their help and vision to our productions on a regular basis. One of Teresa’s beautiful landscapes was sold at the Wakefield Auction this year, bringing in much-needed funds to support Wakefield School’s mission.
Our music program in the middle school features an adjunct faculty dedicated to the idea of teaching our young artists to love and understand music. Brian Settles, our middle school band director, is an accomplished Jazz Recording artist who has performed in the U.S. Asia, Africa, and Europe. Lauren Sileo is a graduate of Julliard; Guitarist Steve Devries is a strong teacher and performing artist.
The arts are important to many of our Wakefield Faculty teaching in other departments. Stephanie Foerster, our lower school librarian can build costumes and props, and along with Upper School Librarian Cathy Clemency, appeared on stage during Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. From jumping in to fill a vacant role in Arsenic and Old Lace, to playing Ebenezer Scrooge, to singing with the Wakefield singers, History Teacher Andrew Clubb is an active participant in Wakefield's Theatre and Music Programs.
Parents such as Tucker and Maryanne Withers, Deetzie Sigl, Marilyn Glen, Karen Cole, Glynnis Dwelly, and many, many others have spent energy, time and money in helping us to build such a vibrant program. I am sorry to leave out names in this list, but truly, the level of parent support is awesome.
All of these people come together to create an arts environment that is meant to nurture the most important participants, our students. We have several current students and alumni who will move on to or have moved on to study and participate in the arts at the college and professional levels. If not for our dedicated support system, this may not have been possible for them. I am proud to have worked with such a group of individuals over the last five years.
Many of you know that I am moving to South Dakota to become the Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Theatre at South Dakota State University. While Wakefield will always remain in my thoughts, and I am heartsick at leaving all of the wonderful people that I have come to know and love, I believe that this is the correct next step in my personal exploration of my passionate love of theatre. I am confident that the administration that has so wholeheartedly supported my artistic endeavors will continue to support the person who next holds my position. I have seen the resumes of several candidates, and all present excellent skills and knowledge, and fascinating possibilities for the theatre program. So, I bid you, enjoy Romeo and Juliet, and the fruits of the labors of the Wakefield performing arts community.