A Busy Fall for WDV Performing Arts
We’re kicking off year two of the Wiseburn Da Vinci Performing Arts program with a number of firsts: an eye-catching WDV Performing Arts Calendar, University of California ‘A-G’ course approval for all our performing arts classes, new student-run performance events, a new Student Theatre Leadership team, and we have welcomed four new part-time staff members!
Thanks to DVC’s student marketing group, DECA, we now have a WDV Performing Arts Events Calendar for 2024-25, making it easy to keep track of all our upcoming events!
We're thrilled to share that all our Performing Arts classes have been approved as 'A-G' courses by the University of California for admission to a UC or Cal State university.
Musically...
We have launched some exciting new student-run performance events this school year. Lunchtime Open Mics, which took place on three different Wednesdays at Da Vinci Communications, Design and Science (Connect High and RISE Open Mics will take place in the coming months), were planned and hosted by students on each campus. The goal of the open mics was to afford first-time student performers the opportunity to perform in front of a warm and welcoming audience—and they didn’t disappoint. From DVS student Nathan belting Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” to DVD’s Kenobi singing and playing the piano to Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” the open mics helped to reveal all the significant talent that exists across our campuses. And, each open mic boasted 60+ student audience members as well, showing the depth of support each student body has for their fellow students! To cap off our student-run events, there will also be a special Halloween edition of "Band Bash" on Oct. 31, where five student bands will use the spooky occasion to perform original music (costumes are encouraged)!
This semester, our Drum Ensemble, led by Josh Thomas (producer and drummer for Mario, Jon B., and Ed Sheeran), took a big leap forward! The class skyrocketed from 5 to 31 members, prompting us to add more bucket drums sourced from our community and Craigslist. We even repurposed old robotics gear, bringing fresh energy and creativity to our upcoming concert! The students have really gotten into it and are excited to showcase their drumming skills at the first-ever Performing Arts Winter Seminar Showcase on Tues., Dec. 10 in the Blackbox at the Douglas campus. Along with our drummers, our inaugural Seminar Share will include performances and presentations from our Acting Seminars, Music Production Seminars and Stagecraft Seminar. Ticket info will be shared soon!
Last week, DVD’s Music Production class welcomed Scotty Schneider, Music Supervisor for The Price is Right, who shared insights about his career.
Theatrically…
Our Theatrical Arts Department is expanding and growing!
Last year, we discovered many students were interested in pursuing various aspects of theatre both on stage and behind the scenes. So, this year, we launched Student Theatre Leadership. This team of dedicated students will have an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the performance, tech, or design process that interests them, and each team leader will be responsible for leading and organizing their crew. We are also thrilled to share our student crew program has tripled in size this year. Last year we had 20 crew members -- this year we have 65!
This Fall, we welcomed four new part-staff members: Angelica Alvarez, Will Schneider, Caitlyn Turen and Calvin Martin!
Angelica Alvarez and Will Schneider are teaching our high school Stagecraft Seminar, and they will design and build all technical elements of our upcoming high school musical. Together, they are teaching and training our theatrical student crew in everything from sound engineering, to scenic design and construction, to stage managing, to lighting design, while preparing students to run all backstage aspects of productions and performances.
Our high school musical theatre program is excited Caitlyn Turen has joined our team. Caitlyn will support our staff and students in role as Production Assistant and she will coordinate our family volunteer program, WDV Backstage. (Her experience as an accomplished vocalist and dancer will be bonus assets to the rehearsal process!)
Calvin Martin is playing two key roles in our theatrical arts programming. Our Connect 3rd – 8th grade theatre students are loving their new ‘Calvinography!’ Calvin is teaching dance and choreographing musical numbers for our Winter and Spring Performing Arts Showcases. Calvin has also joined our high school musical theatre production team as Costume Designer!
“Welcome Back!” to our high school musical theatre choreographer, Lindsey Rei and our Performing Arts Academic Coach, Joel Bonilla!
We look forward to the magic all of our multi-capable staff and students will contribute to our 2024-25 Performing Arts season.
Looking Ahead
We’re thrilled to announce some amazing initiatives are in the works! Rehearsals for our Spring Musical, GREASE, are in full swing, ready to transform the Blackbox into Rydell High for an electrifying show in February and March. Stay tuned for ticket info. Plus, we’re hosting the Da Vinci Song Contest, giving DV students the chance to create an original song for Da Vinci with a fully produced recording as the prize!
Find all the latest @wdvperformingarts on IG or WDV Performing Arts on FB.
Many thanks to the WDV community for your incredible support!
