Paul Wann
Arts Department Chair; Theater Teacher; English Teacher
Discover the Arts at The Governor’s Academy
At The Governor's Academy, everyone has the opportunity to be an artist. The arts are woven into every aspect of our students’ independent school experience.
It all begins with our Introduction to Fine Arts course in ninth grade, when every student takes two performing arts and two visual arts courses and starts to see where they shine, or maybe even discover a new passion. Students continue their creative interests in classes during the academic day and can choose to participate in drama, art, music, technical theater, or dance as their Afternoon Program.
Governor’s student artists gain the courage and confidence not just to make work that matters to them but to show that work to the world. Surrounded by friends, dorm parents, coaches, and advisors, they step onto the stage, throw a lump of clay, or spin on the dance floor. They give and take, critique, but most importantly, they have fun.
Our students are encouraged and mentored by independent school art teachers who are working artists themselves—passionate about sharing their love of their craft with their students.
Most of our students are involved in the arts—whether that means taking AP Studio Art, playing the piano in Friday Morning Meeting band, running the lighting for Fall Drama, or making a print during open studio on a Saturday night.
WILKIE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Built in 2001, our performing arts center was dedicated in 2012 to former Headmaster Valleau Wilkie (1959-1972) in recognition of his great effort and success at bringing the arts to the Academy. The Wilkie Center features:
- 490-seat Theodore G. Bergmann theater, with professional sound and lighting systems
- Peter R. Remis Lobby with art gallery
- Black box theater/dance studio
- Eight private practice rooms
- Ensemble rehearsal room
- Fifteen pianos including five Steinway grand pianos
- Dressing rooms and green room
- Carpentry shop
- Costume and prop shop
- Electronic music studio with 32-track digital audio recording capability
KAISER VISUAL ARTS CENTER
Built in 1985, our visual arts center honors the legacy of Edgar Kaiser '61. The Kaiser Visual Arts Center features:
- Carl Youngman Art Gallery
- Fully-equipped art studio with painting and printmaking equipment
- 3-D Printer
- Photography classroom with a digital studio and darkroom with eleven enlargers
- Digital video editing lab
- Ceramics studio with a state-of-the-art industrial Bailey gas kiln, twelve electric wheels, a Raku kiln, and two electric kilns
The teachers in the Arts Department create nurturing, inclusive spaces on campus where students of all levels can comfortably and safely take risks as they explore, express, question, experiment, and create. From the studio to the stage, the arts are a vibrant part of life at Govs.
A gifted actor, playwright, and storyteller, Arts Department Chair Paul Wann brings decades of teaching and directing experience to his students at Govs. Paul teaches all ninth graders in the public presentation skills semester of our ninth grade Intro to Fine Arts program. He also directs the spring play. A working actor himself, Paul can be seen most summers performing in plays produced by Theatre-in-the-Open at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport.