Concerts, Plays, and All That Jazz: An Update on Spring Productions

          Spring Term has finally arrived, ushering in warmer temperatures, a generous amount of rain, and most importantly, an array of incredible performances occurring throughout the next month. As seniors prepare for their next journey, many of them will take their final bows on Lawrenceville’s stages this term in the plethora of upcoming productions. 
 
        In just a week, two highly anticipated performances will grace our campus. On Friday, April 26, the Lawrenceville jazz ensembles will return to the Dresdner Hall to give one final, riveting concert of the 2023-24 school year. Lawrenceville’s Director of Instrumental Studies, Steven Rozek, will be directing the 8 O’clock Jazz Combo and The Little Big Band, which feature committed Lawrenceville musicians who have spent their mornings and evenings preparing for the concert. Clara Khabbaz ’26, who plays the clarinet for the 8 O’clock Jazz Combo, noted,  “[The jazz concert] is much more intimate than any of the other performances” because the musicians and the audience are all seated in a room together, “so the audience can really connect with the performers.” With an exciting repertoire of recognizable pieces, this jazz concert is truly an incredible opportunity for music lovers and curious newcomers alike to experience jazz.

        Immediately following the jazz ensembles, on Saturday, April 27, the Kirby Arts Center will open for a school-wide favorite—the Spring Dance Series, led by Director of Dance Derrick D. Wilder H’78. En Corps groups,  led by student captains, have been tirelessly choreographing and rehearsing for the final dance series of the year. Similarly, the faculty-led Lawrenceville School Dance Collective has been hard at work, rehearsing three times per week under the direction of Wilder, Kristin Devine Jones ’10, and Erika Mero. The performers aren’t the only ones contributing to the show; Wilder made a point to call out the incredible school atmosphere, saying that he is “extremely proud of our community” and that the viewers are “truthfully the best audience [he’s] ever seen.” An impressive number of Lawrenceville students are participating in the Spring Dance Series, which will be a first for some and the last for others.

        On the weekend following these concerts, the third and final play-reading series of the year will take place. On Friday, May 3, a cast of seven actors will present The Vertical City, a science-fiction comedy written by Diana Burbano. Directed by Sonia Lackey ’25, the play reading will take place in the McGraw Reading Room. While rehearsals have not begun yet, this play reading will undoubtedly be just as intimate and captivating as the previous two. 

        Harry Potter fans, hold your wands—Lawrenceville’s production of Puffs, written by Matt Cox, will top off the year’s performing arts season in KAC’s Black Box Theatre on Friday,  May 10, and Saturday,  May 11. Under the direction of Gabrielle Lescadre,  an English Teaching Fellow, 15 of Lawrenceville’s performers will take the stage, portraying a comical and endearing spin on everyone’s childhood dream school: Hogwarts. Mimie Pinpakornkul ’25 expressed her adoration for the play, mentioning that although she is admittedly not a fan of the Harry Potter series, “it’s a really fun take on Harry Potter” and she’s glad that “the play gives the Hufflepuff House the recognition they deserve.” As the Production Stage Manager, Pinpakornkul notes that the props and special effects will play a tremendous part in bringing the show together. The actors are hard at work, rehearsing almost every day after sports to make sure this year’s closing act charms its viewers.

        While it is hard to compete with Hogwarts’ intriguing magic, Lawrenceville’s performing arts department never fails to produce an impressive number of exceptional performances as the school year comes to a close. Whether you are involved in the assortment of productions that will be taking place this term or are an enthusiastic viewer, this spring is sure to bring a promising and talented closure as we all take our final bows.