Xavier Theatre Arts (2020-2021)
Xavier College Preparatory High School will add new equipment and opportunities to embellish the Music and Theatrical departments. This vital equipment will enable Xavier to continue to develop spaces where the students perform as well as where the greater community is exposed to the arts in all forms.
Mr. Epstein, Director of our Music and Theatrical Department, has submitted a proposal to continue to develop existing spaces where our students perform and engage in self-expression through the arts. The upstairs area of the Gymnasium building is central area for our students outside of the classroom and is known as the Student Commons. Last year alone, Xavier produced three Theatrical shows in this space, turning it into a “Black Box” type venue, and all of our Musical performances have been conducted there, as well. The equipment needed will be valuable additions to what Xavier already uses and will provide events such as the Shookfoil “Poetry Out Loud” series and the ensemble events a permanent home. Xavier provides myriad opportunities for all students to express themselves. The Theatrical productions allow students to participate in Theatre Arts in many ways. Xavier not only has the cast of the production but offers experience behind the scenes as “tech ninjas”, stage managers, coordinate sets, staging changes, as well as operate the more technical sides of the sound system board, lighting, music coordination and broadcasting technology. The Music department is involved with music for the production, and the digital arts students compose music for the productions. In addition, the Visual arts students create the publicity and marketing materials.
Xavier will continue to introduce our students to new technologies and allow them to develop 21st century skills in preparation for their futures. As education continues to develop, Xavier chooses to grow and understand the importance of meeting the needs of the students where they are, whether academically, artistically, or technologically. Xavier is excited and encouraged with our Theatrical and Musical departments progress and Xavier Students continue to grow and challenge themselves to create and develop their artistic sides to be well-rounded students and leaders for the future.
The funds requested will create a space Xavier has yet to construct in its own building. Xavier is a school of all arts. Just as Xavier has a swim team with no pool, Xavier hopes to create a Theatre and Musical Performance space without a Performing Arts Building. The needed microphones can be used for all Musical and Theatrical Performances, as well as other campus life and community event’s needs. Xavier has a sound board and the additions would integrate perfectly providing extra overhead and handheld microphones. The risers for additional staging will allow flexibility in set design as well as proper setup for the different factions in Orchestral and Vocal Performances. With the live-streaming equipment Xavier owns, a podcast component for Xavier students to further their creative development is inherent. One of the most valuable uses of Podcasting in Education is the concept of student created content. Through the Xavier Music, Theatrical and Poetry “Out Loud” series, students are able to take control of an aspect of their education and encourage engagement in the performances to a larger audience. For those more technologically inclined, those students can merge the Anderson Children's Foundation grant to serve a greater purpose through cross-utilization of technologies, areas of studies and exposure of talents to the greater community.
Xavier's summer Enrichment Program has been exposing 250 elementary and middle school-aged students to Music and the Arts for the last eight years. Xavier incorporates learning with courses including Singing and Voice, Piano and other musical instruments, Music Production, Movie Making and Digital Storytelling, Hip-Hop and Contemporary Dance, Improvisation, Digital Animation and 3D Design and Printing.
