by Felipe Espericueta
In traditional secondary education, students typically have the opportunity to study the Fine Arts by means of clubs or electives. At Tempe Prep though, the Fine Arts is required and a core element of the Liberal Arts program. Why do we study the Fine Arts?
Raul Espericueta, one of the founders of TPA, stated, “The purpose of incorporating the Fine Arts into Tempe Prep’s curriculum is because the arts reveal some of the depth of the Liberal Arts tradition. The Arts, including Drama, dispose students for a dynamic relationship with the transcendent nature of the Fine Arts. They also reveal the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Liberal Arts tradition.”
As director of the Drama branch of the Fine Arts program at TPA, Ms. Nicole Pitman’s responsibility is to bring this emphasis into the classroom. This year’s senior play is not one of Shakespeare’s works, which TPA generally stages, but is Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Ms. Pitman decided that it was too difficult to produce a work of Shakespeare in the amount of time available.
She also believes that “Drama is not really Great Books based. ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ however, is a classic contemporary play that is ‘clean,’ a hard thing to find in typical contemporary productions. The play also integrates important elements of Drama like dramaturgy and acting.”
During the brainstorming process of selecting this year’s play and any other production, Ms. Pitman considers the following: the ratio of boys to girls, how much time is available, if it is within students’ current acting abilities, and if there are interesting roles, themes, and subject matter.
Ms. Pitman also believes that an earlier introduction to Drama in the curriculum would enhance each student’s experience at TPA. Important lessons to take from the dramatic experience include cooperative team building and problem-solving skills, commitment, creativity, confidence, and vocalization skills.
De Equitibus also interviewed several of the lead roles from each section of the senior class. When asked about the selection of the play, Laurel Birnbaum replied, “‘Alice in Wonderland’ is a great change because it is not the same as what we always do.”
Hannah Gonsalves believes the play captures the personality of the Senior Class. She declared, “The Senior Class is not serious. We are not solemn enough for some of Shakespeare’s works.”
Mitzvah Estevez remarked that “Alice in Wonderland” is a “very creative, out of the ordinary play. So each section’s portrayal of the script will be unique.”
Ms. Pitman enthusiastically invites all students and guests to attend the senior productions of “Alice in Wonderland” Dec. 14-16 in the Zelman Center. The play will be the capstone of the 2013 seniors’ Fine Arts experience.