Performing Arts

Your Stage Awaits

Here at Knox, we want to cultivate the talents of our young artists by providing them a stage and a classroom to rehearse, perform, and play. Our students have the opportunity to not only perform in plays, musicals, and concerts, but to take specialized classes in acting, music, stagecraft, playmaking, digital film, and more. Our program aims to grow our students’ love of performing and help our students find their unique voice by creating work that captivates our community here beside the shore

At Knox, our actors learn the basics of performance technique by analyzing contemporary plays and creating their own original work as a group. We start with group improvisation to build trust and collaboration in our students and continue to expand on that knowledge, working on classical monologues & contemporary plays, adding in gesture, voice, physicality, character development, and script analysis. Whether it’s acting out scenes or working on a Shakespearean monologue, our classes are geared towards nurturing the young performer’s voice and creativity.

Our student-actors also have the opportunity to expand on their performance skills in more advanced classes in playmaking and script writing as part of our theatre arts program.

At Knox, we believe in the “well rounded student,” so our program is not only about performing, but designing and building theatre as well. Our Stagecraft course provides students with the foundational skills in technical theatre through applied learning experiences in set construction, scenic painting, costuming, props construction, and more.

In class, our students learn the fundamentals of design and stage production in the classroom, then put that knowledge to work on stage designing our Fall Production and Spring Musical. Students use light design to create the Northern Lights and underground hideouts and scenic design to construct run down street corners and beautiful Alaskan landscapes.

Here at Knox, we believe that the arts are indispensable to a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum. Additionally, the arts are imperative to the emotional, social, intellectual and physical development of students. Our young artists discover how to harness their talents and turn them into magnetic, captivating performances. High school students have the opportunity to explore various types of performing ensembles, including choir, select choir, a Cappella, and chamber ensemble. Middle school students shine in various musical and variety performances. All students have the option to enroll in private lessons on their instrument of choice. Our performing arts program focuses on maximizing student strengths and providing a safe, challenging environment for skill development, personal fulfillment, and academic achievement.

“I’d like to end up sort of… unforgettable.” -Ringo Starr

Our students benefit from the wealth of specialized artists in the nearby area. They study piano, voice, violin, and guitar through private instruction. Other instruments and areas of private study can be arranged when needed. Vocal and instrumental lesson fees vary by instructor.

Choir students attend a concert performed by VOCE, a professional choir based in Hartford, Connecticut. The concert, featuring the music of contemporary composer Paul Mealor, was performed at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Click here to learn more about other Arts Adventures.

Students perform at our Coffee House in recognition of World AIDS Day. Click here to learn more about the event.

Stagecraft students learn to bring furniture and props into the world of the play, in addition to developing their knowledge of set construction and lighting execution.

Dance students rehearse their interpretation of the song “Glory” from the film Selma. The students presented their moving tribute in our winter trimester recital in February 2016 as part of Black History Month.

Students perform Kiss Me, Kate on the stage of the Wm. Turner Shoemaker Theater. Click here to learn more about our theatre program.