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A Busy Fall in Review for the Arts Department
The 2024–2025 school year began with much excitement from the Arts Department, highlighted by the highly anticipated January 2025 opening of the renovated Academic & Performing Arts Center (APAC). While the finishing touches were being put in place on the new building, the Arts at Hopkins continued to thrive in creative ways.
Visual Arts
The Keator Gallery hosted three exhibitions in the fall of 2024.
Guest artist Faustin Adeniran’s show, “Transformation,” opened the visual arts season. The New Haven artist repurposes discarded materials and transforms them into works that reflect the communities he encounters. Adeniran filled the gallery with sculptures and works on canvas that incorporate found objects to represent African American culture.
A pop-up show organized by student club Society of Latinidad, titled “De Colores,” was held from
September 30 to October 4. Students invited several New Haven artists to exhibit their work in this group show celebrating Hispanic and Latin American heritage. An eclectic mix of photography, sculpture, painting, and ceramics filled the Keator Gallery with color and culture.
September 30 to October 4. Students invited several New Haven artists to exhibit their work in this group show celebrating Hispanic and Latin American heritage. An eclectic mix of photography, sculpture, painting, and ceramics filled the Keator Gallery with color and culture.
From October 7 to 31, Hopkins hosted a community exhibition titled, “Perspectives.” Students, faculty, staff, and parents were invited to submit work on the theme of perspective. The artwork ranged from perspective drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture. The gallery itself was transformed into a unique viewing experience, with the artwork hung on the walls between two large perspective lines.
The fall season began with a healthy dose of Shakespeare as the Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) staged The Tempest at the Woodbridge Club from October 24 to 26. Directed by Mike Calderone, the final production—held off-campus during APAC’s construction—was brought to life with inventive sets and stunning performances by the cast.
Drama
The fall season began with a healthy dose of Shakespeare as the Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) staged The Tempest at the Woodbridge Club from October 24 to 26. Directed by Mike Calderone, the final production—held off-campus during APAC’s construction—was brought to life with inventive sets and stunning performances by the cast.
On a lighter note, the annual Winter One Acts showcased sketch comedy in Upper Heath from December 12 to 14, giving over 50 students the opportunity to participate both on and off stage in HDA’s production of “Live from New Haven…It’s Sketch Night!” The collection of sketches was presented in the style of Saturday Night Live, complete with commercial breaks, guest host Bob Studley, and musical guest, Chenoa (aka student
Nia McKeithen ’26) who sang original songs across the three performances. The sketches were all student directed, with guidance from Mike Calderone who produced the shows.
Nia McKeithen ’26) who sang original songs across the three performances. The sketches were all student directed, with guidance from Mike Calderone who produced the shows.
A special performance of “Envious Sisters” was performed in Heath Commons on Friday, January 10. The original play, based on a story from “One Thousand and One Nights,” was written by Mike Calderone and adapted by his Ensemble theater class during the fall semester in the “shoestring-style”— using minimal props,
with actors becoming the scenery as needed. The young actors, some of whom had never performed in front of an audience before, brought a tale of adventure, magic, and fate to life in fantastic fashion.
Student musicians were highlighted at the first-ever Fall Festival, held on the evening of Friday, October 18, to kick off Homecoming Weekend. The event, conceived by Arts Department Chair Robert Smith, transformed the Thompson Quad into a lively celebration featuring all vocal and instrumental groups alongside festive activities like pumpkin carving, a baking competition, and a pep rally. The evening concluded with a performance by local Americana band, Goodnight Blue Moon. With the help of a committee of faculty and staff, and the Hopkins Parent Association, the inaugural event was an incredible success, celebrating arts, athletics, and fun as a community on campus.
Two winter concerts were held in December that showcased the incredible talents of our student musicians. On Tuesday, December 17, the Choirs and Orchestra filled Battell Chapel in New Haven with festive melodies, directed by Erika Schroth, Director of Choral Music, and Robert Smith, Director of Instrumental Music. On Thursday, December 19, the Hopkins Bands, featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Ensemble, and 8th Grade Instrumental Ensemble, delighted an audience in Upper Heath Commons with songs of the season, directed by Music Director Erik Elligers.
with actors becoming the scenery as needed. The young actors, some of whom had never performed in front of an audience before, brought a tale of adventure, magic, and fate to life in fantastic fashion.
Music
Student musicians were highlighted at the first-ever Fall Festival, held on the evening of Friday, October 18, to kick off Homecoming Weekend. The event, conceived by Arts Department Chair Robert Smith, transformed the Thompson Quad into a lively celebration featuring all vocal and instrumental groups alongside festive activities like pumpkin carving, a baking competition, and a pep rally. The evening concluded with a performance by local Americana band, Goodnight Blue Moon. With the help of a committee of faculty and staff, and the Hopkins Parent Association, the inaugural event was an incredible success, celebrating arts, athletics, and fun as a community on campus.
Two winter concerts were held in December that showcased the incredible talents of our student musicians. On Tuesday, December 17, the Choirs and Orchestra filled Battell Chapel in New Haven with festive melodies, directed by Erika Schroth, Director of Choral Music, and Robert Smith, Director of Instrumental Music. On Thursday, December 19, the Hopkins Bands, featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Ensemble, and 8th Grade Instrumental Ensemble, delighted an audience in Upper Heath Commons with songs of the season, directed by Music Director Erik Elligers.
Looking Ahead
As the Academic & Performing Arts Center building officially opened on January 21, 2025, Term 2 classes have commenced in the new classrooms, and the Hopkins community eagerly anticipates the first HDA production in the new theater. Hope Hartup and a talented cast will present Cabaret in late February. The music program will also fill the theater with beautiful music in three spring concerts. Look for highlights from the spring season in the next edition of Views from the Hill, or check out the latest news at Hopkins.edu/news.
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