VPA Continues Observance of Black History Month
Dance
This week, we visited the classroom of Ms. Kabrena Williams in the Dance Department. Williams teaches Afro modern dance, and this week focused on Dunham Technique, created by Katherine Dunham. Dunham is known as the “matriarch and queen mother of Black dance.”
Visual Art
The Art Department this month displayed the work of Kara Walker, an American installation artist who creates silhouettes, collage and other artworks that comment on race, gender and power. The department has had Walker’s work displayed throughout February.
Music
VPA Music is likewise polishing songs written by African American artists; look for videos soon of the Band performing Wade n Water and various vocal ensembles performing contemporary works.
VPA Theatre Seniors Win Prestigious Scholarships
Congratulations to Sophia Coscia and Marcus Cruz-Santiago, who won prestigious scholarships through the Florida Theatre Conference.
Marcus was named the Steve Bayless Musical Theatre Scholarship award winner, earning him $2,000 towards his college expenses. The scholarship was created in 2019 to honor the life of FTC Executive Director Steve Bayless, who died in 2019.
Sophia won the Donna White Scholarship for Theatrical Studies, a scholarship created to be awarded to a student who aligns to White’s vision for strong, committed theatre artistry. She won for technical theatre arts, which she will pursue at the college level.
Senior Celebration Updates
Many parents are asking about what will be done to honor seniors this year considering Covid restrictions. While we don’t have definitive answers, here’s what’s known thus far.
Grad Bash has been canceled for 2021. At this point, neither graduation nor prom has been canceled. Rather than a prom dance, the event will likely be a dinner of some kind. Graduation so far is in the works and will likely be at an outdoor venue. Look for details as the end of the year approaches.
The VPA will host various senior showcases for our graduates, some online. We will also have a cord ceremony where the students’ accomplishment of finishing the rigorous arts program will be celebrated. The date and place will be announced soon.
Behind the Scenes: Death By Chocolate
Death By Chocolate: La Vie en Rose is a return to something approaching normal, with the event following the traditional Death by Chocolate format as a showcase of all music disciplines. However, this year’s outside venue presented opportunities for our Production & Design students to build an ambiance in line with the event’s theme of romance.
Production & Design students have been hard at work creating trellis masking that will support vines and flowers.
Tickets for Death by Chocolate are going fast. Get yours here.
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