Arts Students Head to NYC On The Fall Arts Field Trip
Throughout a day of events, custom tailored to their interests and coursework, fifty students enjoyed the many artistic inspirations of New York City.
Millbrook’s honors visual arts students visited the gallery district in Chelsea. The favorite shows of the day were the New York Times Magazine exhibition at the Aperture Foundation and the Nick Cave exhibits at the two Jack Shainman locations in the area. Students were also treated to a surprise performance by two young male vocalists at the Gladstone Gallery. As the boys sang, they interacted with marble choral risers created by artist collaborative, Allora & Calzadilla. The title of the performance, Fault Lines, alludes to the properties of the stone and to the properties of the voices of young boys. In total, students visited eleven standout galleries in Chelsea, and they left feeling excited to return to their own studios with new ideas for what might come next.
Playwriting students enjoyed a tour of the newly renovated Public Theater. As many of the shows were in technical rehearsals, they got a glimpse behind the scenes into the world of professional theater. The highlight of the day was meeting with A. Zell Williams, who is part of the emerging playwrights program at the Public. Mr. Williams generously answered questions from the students and encouraged them to keep writing.
Choreography students began the trip with a twist! They were originally planning to observe a rehearsal at the Mark Morris Dance Spaces, but at the last moment the space had been double booked and a new rehearsal location was appointed. In true New York style, the students went with the flow!
They then had lunch with two New York City based choreographers, Angela Maffia and April Dayok. First, they engaged the students and inquired as to their own upcoming presentations. The students were able to talk about the projects they have been working on in class, and how realistic their methods were. Maffia and Dayok shared strategies for developing inspiration, movement, and choreography.
After a quick lunch, they continued to 100 Grand Dance Space. Maffia and Dayok instructed the students to move about the floor in an abstract, "whatever feels good" type of manner. This prompt turned into an hour-long improvisation session set to atmospheric music where the choreographers and students were all engaged.
Filled with fresh inspiration garnered in one of the cultural capitals of the world, Millbrook art students have returned to their classes with new vision.
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