The Performing Arts have always been an integral part of Purnell's curriculum, extracurricular activities, and special programs, with students involved both as performers and audience in the Carney Center for the Performing Arts.
Survey of Performing Arts is a required course for 9th graders which exposes students to three areas: music, drama, and dance. After that, students choose from a variety of performing arts electives such as jazz dance, dance improv, creative movement, acting, clowning, creating theater, Shakespeare in performance, classical voice training, music theory, songwriting, dance history and music history among others.
Four student groups perform at Purnell:
- Dance Synthesis, a jazz and modern dance ensemble
- Ad-libbers, which produces a one-act play each term
- Ringers, the handbell choir
- Shoots & Strawberries, a singing group
In addition, Black River Band, a folk/rock group meets as an activity. Many students choose to take private music lessons; teachers for piano, guitar, drums, and voice come to campus for weekly lessons. Students have two opportunities to audition for musicals, as well.
During Project Exploration, the yearly musical is produced in only 17 days by a team of students and faculty. In this and all theater productions students build sets, run lights and sound and learn all aspects of technical theater. Costume design and student directing are also options for interested students. Whether inexperienced or advanced, there's something for everyone.
Performing Arts Faculty Pages
Cleo Mack: http://www.cleomack.com/index.htm
