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Upper School Performing Arts

By the time students reach the Upper School, more elements of our productions are student-run. Increasing opportunities to design sound and lighting, build scenery, and stage manage offer students a more complete perspective of the professional world of performing arts. Students who choose to pursue performing arts all four years often move fluidly between music, tech, acting, and dance. Rehearsals are organized according to professional expectations, and students progress in commitment as the standards elevate.

Upper School faculty select meaningful and challenging work, encouraging students to develop in different avenues and broaden their scope of performance technique. They take risks on selecting shows for depth, mixing classics with new works. Faculty collaboration models for students what it means to prioritize collective storytelling over individual spotlight, as students shape futures with artistic meaning.

2024-25 Performance Season

Vocal Showcase on October 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.; a blonde girl sings into a microphone
Brentwood Theater Company on October 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.; an actress in ballet tights comforts her crying scene partner
Matilda, Grades 6-12 Musical, on November 8-10, 2024 at various showtimes; a silhouette of a small British girl striking a power pose
Jazz in the Quad on November 6, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.; a curly haired student plays the keyboard in a sunlit quad
Music Concert on November 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.; a brunette girl plays the flute
Dance Concert on December 6, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.; two dancers in silhouette hold a blue and red fan at arms length
Jazz Concert on December 15, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Brentwood Theater Company on January 17, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.; two actors in winter attire hug kneeling on stage
Jazz Concert on February 25, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.; a curly haired boy sits poised behind a drum kit to begin playing
Don't Dress for Dinner, an Upper School Play on March 7-8, 2025 at various showtimes; three actors gather on a living room set lost in conversation
Chamber Music Concert on March 16, 2025 at 2 p.m.; a trio of strings players engage in song
Jazz in the Quad on April 10, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
BTC presents the %22Mentor Projects%22 on April 16-17, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.; a Latina actress smiles with hands clasped in gratitude
Music Concert on April 24, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.; a boy in black dress shirt plays the piano
Dance Concert on May 2, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.; a girl in orange silhouette tosses hair to one side
Brentwood Theater Company on May 23, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.; a boy in glasses and raccoon hat holds a teddy bear

Chicago Goes to Hollywood

Brentwood's spring 2024 musical, Chicago, was one of only four high school productions invited to perform at the Jerry Herman Awards at the Pantages Theatre. The campus show was a sensation — complete with elaborate dance numbers, magic tricks, show-stopping vocals, and plenty of sparkle and glam — and students staged one of many standout numbers, "Razzle Dazzle," at the Pantages.

Congratulations to Best Actor and Actress nominees Gabi V. '24 and Ethan R. '25, Best Scenic Design nominee Arshak Khachmanyan, and the whole Chicago cast for their performance at the Jerry Herman Awards.

Read about our Pantages Performance

Watch the Trailer

View Show Photos

Shaping a Future Career

Dylan U. '24 shares about an independent study course that she pursued in coordination with the Production Manager. 

"Working with Mrs. Schwinn during my lighting design independent study titled "Let There Be Light" has not only expanded my knowledge and abilities as a designer but has also helped me learn more about myself as a person. Individual mentorship allowed me to connect more with my teacher and focus on doing something I love. Whether it's rigging lights or analyzing plays, every experience strengthened my understanding of the art of lighting design and my creative process. My teacher made it her mission to prepare me for what the entertainment industry is really like and how to stick up for myself because she cares about my well-being and wants to see me succeed. I'm so grateful to her and Brentwood for giving me this opportunity to take a class that is tailored specifically for me so that I'm able to go into college with a strong understanding of what I want to do."

Upper School Fall Play: Clue

On November 17-18, 2023, Brentwood Upper School proudly presented Clue, a play full of mayhem, misadventures, murder, and the opportunity for one "Mr. Boddy" to bring to end a certain longstanding confidential and painful financial liability. 

View the photo gallery

Courses Offered

For more information about our performing arts program, contact Department Chair Lauren Hall at lhall@bwscampus.com.

Dancers Delight in Wonderland

Dancers Delight in Wonderland
by Meredith Storrs, Assistant Director of Communications

Plans for the recent Upper School Dance concert began last summer when a group of rising seniors in the Brentwood Dance Company approached Performing Arts Chair and dance teacher Lauren Hall with a proposition. 

Brooke M., Mimi M., Reilly R., Dylan F., Sarah S., and Chloe S. had an idea for an Alice in Wonderland-themed performance, with the roles already cast and a vision for music, costuming, and choreography. Delighted by their initiative, Ms. Hall gave an enthusiastic “YES!” to their proposal. 

After months of hard work during class — learning new dance styles, selecting costumes, and working late afternoons with the designers and crew — the performance came together spectacularly. Wonderland showcased all levels of Upper School dancers in a mix of dance styles and even included a few cameos from Upper School teachers Hannah Vaughan, Fred Rible, and Kala Savage. The stagecraft classes collaborated on the show to create an impressive "Jabberwocky"-inspired dragon puppet, which the students learned to animate through their choreography. Two theatrical design students also contributed their skills. Abigail C. ’25 designed a caterpillar that dancers incorporated into one piece, and Dylan U. ’24 designed the lighting for three of the dance numbers. 

Enjoy a gallery of images from the show here.

Performing Arts Faculty

Michael Cottone

Michael Cottone

Music, Upper School
Lauren Hall

Lauren Hall

Performing Arts Chair; Dance, Upper School
	Arshak Khachmanyan

Arshak Khachmanyan

Stagecraft Teacher and Technical Director, Upper School
Charlie Kim

Charlie Kim

Choral and Orchestra, Upper School
Kala Savage

Kala Savage

Class of 1996
Theater, Upper School
Mason Vancil

Mason Vancil

Production Manager, East Campus

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