Sagemont, a Broward County Private School, Recently Unveiled New Visual & Performing Arts Center
Weston, Florida (PRWEB) September 19, 2014 -- Arts students at The Sagemont School were anxious to go back-to-school to see the brand new Visual & Performing Arts Center. Housed on the Upper School Campus, the 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility features a 150 seat black box theatre, as well as two large art rooms and two sound-proof music rooms.
Sagemont Theater Instructor Elizabeth Garrard says the new theater will enhance the school’s already strong performing arts program. “Students will now have the chance to work and play in the theater space daily. Our sets can now be built on site, and students will have a rehearsal space that they can work in. Productions will be much more polished, and rehearsals can be incorporated into the classroom curriculum.”
According to Garrard, students enrolled in theater classes will now be able to learn lighting design, sound design, box office management, and many other practical theater aspects that were too difficult to implement without a designated space and equipment. Movement and choreography will also be added the private school’s instruction, as students will now have the space necessary to perfect these skills.
The entire Sagemont student body will benefit from the new theater facility. “The new theater classroom will be used by elementary, middle and high school drama clubs,” notes Garrard. “The Middle School Drama Club will add a One Act Play to their season, bringing their total number of productions up to two. High school students will continue to produce two full-length productions each school year, plus an Evening of Student-Directed One Act Plays will be presented at the end of the year. The Thespian Society will now add a competitive One Act Play and full-length Musical to their season.”
Garrard says the new Visual & Performing Arts Center will also create a camaraderie amongst theater students. “Older students will help to mentor upcoming students in areas of theater management, costume and scenic design, makeup and technical design/management throughout the season. In addition, high school students will be able to earn service hours by filling key positions in the daily management and upkeep of the theater and will be trained to use the lighting and sound equipment.”
Music Instructors Jessica Gronberg and Matt Goldberg are equally excited by all that the new building will offer Sagemont students.
“Our new music room will be equipped with a new sound system, including a state-of-the-art mixer, which will surely enhance our Sagemont Synergy, choral and rock band performances,” states Goldberg. “The facility will also host practice rooms which will give students additional space to work on guitar, keyboard or vocal performances.”
Sagemont’s art instructors, Terrance Clark and Scott Hemeon, also welcome the new opportunities the Visual & Performing Arts Center provides.
“More space means that the students will be able to work with various mediums on a much larger scale,” says Clark, the high school art teacher. “The students will enjoy a larger studio, with more projects and equipment to work with. A new art room is like a fresh canvas with many possibilities.”
Hemeon, the middle school art instructor, says the new Arts Center will allow his students to create more interesting and mature types of work. “It will also increase Sagemont’s chances of excelling in events such as the Arts Council of Greater Weston’s Student Artist Showcase, a competition in which the school has already performed well the last few years.”
He calls this an exciting new chapter in Sagemont’s arts program. “As an artist myself, an arts teacher, and a believer in the transformative power of art, it is reassuring to know that the school has dedicated the space, funds and energy to this often under-valued aspect of a comprehensive education and student experience.”
Sagemont students aren’t the only ones who will benefit from the school’s new Visual & Performing Arts Center. Sagemont President Brent Goldman says the school has a contract pending with a local theater group which will have after-school, weekend and summer programs. Sagemont will also offer music and art camps next summer.
The Weston community will get a chance to see the fabulous facility during “An Evening of Music & Art.” The gala grand opening event will take place on Saturday, November 15th from 7-9:30pm. It will feature a schedule of musical and theatrical performances and art showings. Characters from past productions, such as Jo March from Little Women, characters from CATS, and the Genie from Aladdin, will make appearances. Students will showcase their talent amidst a lively festival atmosphere complete with local food vendors, photo booths, plus popcorn and cappuccino. Tickets are $50; the event is a fundraiser to help further equip the Visual & Performing Arts Center.
The Sagemont School offers a college preparatory curriculum and operates two campuses in Weston, Fl. In preschool through the elementary grades, The Sagemont School provides core concepts in a creative environment combined with weekly specials that include science, art, music, Spanish for non-native & native speakers, swimming, PE and media and technology. From middle school through high school graduation, Sagemont students choose from a variety of regular, honors and AP course work. In addition, students share in a networked wireless laptop environment and participate in a comprehensive guidance program for college entrance. Visit The Sagemont School Web site at http://www.sagemont.com/.
For more information on The Sagemont School contact Dr. Brent Goldman, President at (954) 389-2454 ext., 305, or email to bgoldman(at)sagemont(dot)com.To read more stories about The Sagemont School written by Stacey Bomser go to School News at http://www.ourcitymedia.com.
Maria Ackermann, Sagemont School, http://www.Sagemont.com, +1 (954) 389-2454, [email protected]
Share this article