Mike Morrissey '10 works on a songwriting project in IFA Music

1. What exactly are "The Arts?"

When we talk about "The Arts" at The Governor's Academy, we are referring to programs in the visual arts (e.g. painting, ceramics, photography) and in the performing arts (e.g. music, drama, tech theater).

2. Can students take Arts classes as a freshman?

All freshmen enroll in a year-long course called Introduction to Fine Arts (IFA).  Each academic quarter, freshmen take a different course in the arts.  Students have the chance to explore studio art, photography, music, ceramics, filmmaking, drama, and technical theatre.

During the summer before freshman year, new students have the opportunity to indicate their top four preferences for IFA courses, so that we can do our best to accommodate your interests.

Freshmen may also join our chorus, and those with intermediate skill on an instrument are invited to participate in our orchestra or jazz band. Those who wish to be in a play or musical may sign up for drama for one or two of their Afternoon Program commitments.

3. What courses does the Academy offer in The Arts?

Studio Art
IFA - Studio Art
Introductory Studio Art
Intermediate Studio Art
Painting & Printmaking
2-D Design
AP Studio Art

Ceramics
IFA - Ceramics
Introductory Ceramics
Intermediate Ceramics
AP Ceramics

Photo & Film
IFA - Photo
Photography I
Photography II
IFA - Film
Filmmaking

Architecture & Animation
Architecture Studio
Animation Studio

Musical Ensembles
Chorus
Select Chorus
Orchestra
Jazz Band

Music Courses
IFA - Music
Music Theory
American Music History

Drama
IFA - Drama
Introduction to the Actor's Craft
Drama (Afternoon Program, offered all three seasons)

Technical Theatre
IFA - Tech Theater
Carpentry for Theater
Sound & Lighting Design
Tech Theater (Afternoon Program, offered all three seasons)

Dance
Dance Studio (Afternoon Program, offered in the fall & winter)

Independent Study
Students wishing to work one-on-one with Arts faculty members may enroll in an Independent Study on a topic agreed upon by the student and faculty member.

4. What academic credit do students receive in Arts classes?

1/4 credit per semester
Musical Ensembles
Independent Study

1/2 credit per semester
All semester-long Arts courses (most of those listed above)

1 credit for the year
AP Courses

5. How are the Arts scheduled during the day?

During the Academic Day (7:45 am - 3:10 pm)
Most Arts courses listed above meet during a regular block in students' schedules.

During an uninterrupted mid-day free block (11:45 am - 12:30 pm)
This is where our performing ensembles have their rehearsals.  This allows students time to practice, time to eat lunch, and not have to miss any of their academic classes.

During the Afternoon Program (3:30 - 5:30 pm)
Our afternoon Drama, Technical Theater, and Dance programs all meet during this time.

6. Will I have to choose between the Arts and Athletics?

Because most Arts courses and ensembles take place during the Academic Day, there is no conflict with athletics, which all meet as part of the school's Afternoon Program.

Students who wish to be on stage for one of our Drama/Musical productions or in Dance sometimes need to make a choice because certain programs meet during the same season (e.g. the Winter Musical or Ice Hockey).  Students participating in a sport can still appear in drama productions in smaller cameo roles, with the permission of the director. 

Eight private studios in the PAC are used for lessons and practice

7. Can I take private lessons on an instrument or voice?

Absolutely!  We offer weekly lessons on piano, guitar, bass, drums, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, violin, viola, cello, and voice.

These lessons are taught by area professionals who come right here to campus to work with students.  Students schedule their weekly lesson during a free block of time during the Academic Day.

There is a fee for lessons.  For detailed information on our lesson program, please contact Chris Drelich, program coordinator.

8. Do students have opportunities to have their work exhibited on campus?

Student artwork is often on display in our three gallery spaces: The Youngman Gallery in the Kaiser Art Center, the Student Center Gallery, and the Remis Gallery in the Performing Arts Center.  Students' work can also be seen on many Academy posters, brochures, and calendars.

The Youngman Gallery is a space in which seniors present their own shows throughout the year.  The gallery is small enough to not be overwhelming, while still offering an impressive space they will be able to fill.  Students have the chance to create their own layout or "feel" to their show, and are introduced to the technical side of producing and mounting a show.

The Student Center Gallery is a rotating exhibit of students' work, in a place that virtually every student passes through daily.  

The Remis Gallery features a rotating mix of students' work, plus the works of professional artists from the active art world of Boston's North Shore.  Local and nationally-renowned artists and alumni have displayed their work here.  This space is also home to our Remis Lobby Recital Series, a unique setting for small monthly recitals performed by regional musicians.

9. Do students have opportunities to enter local, regional, and national competitions?

We enter the Boston Globe Art Awards annually, and have consistently done very well over the past several years.  In 2009 we were the Independent School leader in awards!  Visit our Arts News section for detailed information.  

The Academy has participated in the North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Awards since NSMT started the program.  Twenty-five North Shore high schools have their school Musical judged by industry professionals in areas including music, voice, acting, scenic/lighting/costume design, and choreography.  In 2006, we received nominations for "Best Scenic Design" and "Best Lighting Design," and took home the award for Best Lighting Design for our production of Little Shop of Horrors.  Lighting designers Casey Wheelwright '07 and Ki Young Kim '06 were present at the Beverly, MA theatre to receive the award.

Most years musicians have the opportunity to audition for the Northeast District Chorus, Orchestra, Band, and Jazz Band.  These large festival ensembles are made up of the best student musicians in the area, who come together for two intense days of rehearsal, followed by a fantastic concert.  Several students from the Academy have participated in years past.

10. Are the Arts faculty members also working artists?

Our energetic Arts faculty are all involved in off-campus pursuits as time allows.  They have all worked professionally in their respective disciplines and continue to hone their craft.

Geoff Brace is involved in a joint effort between youth groups of Lawrence MA and The Governor’s Academy, as they share in the joy of creative exploration. He also continues his own professional development through workshops and a soon-to-begin Master's program for Art History.

Chris Drelich serves as Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church, Exeter NH, has written and arranged dozens of choral scores for local and regional choirs, and serves as a faculty member at the University of New Hampshire's Summer Youth Music School.

Kristen Miller performs as an alternative-styles cellist. She has recorded for over a dozen studio projects ranging from folk to pop to heavy metal, including two critically acclaimed world-music cello CD's. In addition to performing as a soloist, Kristen also teaches cello in her private studio.

Irina Okula is a potter from Ipswich who specializes in sagar firing. For over forty years she has travelled the world in pursuit of the art of ceramics. From Japanese teapots to Mayan ruins, from Chinese workshops to Native American wood firings, Irina has dedicated her life to learning about pottery, and teaching it to others.

David Oxton is a working commercial and fine art photographer. His images have appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Newsweek magazine. For the past five years, David has been working on a project in which he has taken over 500 portraits of strangers on the street. He also teaches at the Maine Photographic Workshops during the summer.

Joe Repczynski has worked as a professional stagehand in the entertainment industry since 1999. He has served as Technical Director for summer programs through the North Shore Music Theatre and continues to grow his new photography company.

Belle Struck paints and exhibits in Newburyport and the surrounding area. She designs posters, CD covers, and programs for other local artists and has been known to have a variety of paper-mache animals guarding her home.

Paul Wann with his wife, actress Bonnie-Jean Wilbur, performs in plays in Newburyport and in Boston. Recently he played Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, the father in Nikki Silver's Pterodactyls, Willy in Happy Days and Hamm in Endgame.

Bonnie-Jean Wilbur is an actress, director, and acting teacher. She works in commercials in front of the camera and behind the microphone. She is the director of her own improvisational acting company.

11. Do graduates go on to pursue Arts at the college and professional levels?

Absolutely.  Many graduates have gone on to become professional performing and visual artists, often crediting their training and opportunities at the Academy with putting them on the road to later success.