Oak Park High's arts program takes many forms

TRIPLE TREAT- From left, Christopher, Kelsy and Andrew Karl are all active in the Oak Park High School drama and music programs. Each of the triplets had featured roles in the school's recent production of "Beauty and the Beast." Oak Park High School has always been known for its high academic standards, but the arts add a little pizzazz to the curriculum.

Drama, choir, band and fine arts classes help many students round out their academic curriculum before they head to college.

The ultimate goal for some is career in the arts.

Drama instructor Allan Hunt was hired as a "walk-on" drama coach in 2000. A co-founder of the school's drama program with Rick Rhodes, Hunt took over the head job when Rhodes became ill in 2003 (Rhodes died from cancer in 2005).

The drama department produces a variety of shows every year. In between fall Shakespeare productions and spring musicals, students produce "spotlight" plays in which they handle all duties including directing, costuming, set design and advertising.

The school's Black Box Theater, Hunt said, is an intimate production, with no costumes or sets, just dialogue, theatrics and passion.

"We've been expanding our program to those who think they can't sing, can't act, can't possibly get in the show," Hunt said. "I remind them this is a public school. . . . They don't have to be in drama to audition."

The open call for "Beauty and the Beast" required an expanded cast, "way beyond what's written," Hunt said.

"Three girls were supposed to be gushing over Gaston- we had eight girls," he said. "Sometimes a girl has a boyfriend, so we find something for him to do. By the end of the play he has ideas (of his own)."

Music, too

The instrumental music program, headed by Dan O'Brien, offers students many choices. Concert Band is open to any student with experience on a wind or percussion instrument. Students perform in at least two school concerts and attend at least one festival competition.

Members of the Wind Ensemble perform music from the medieval/Renaissance, baroque, classical and romantic periods, as well as the twentieth century.

The school's Jazz Band teaches advanced improvisational techniques for alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; trumpet; trombone; drums; electric and acoustic bass; guitar; and piano.

Oak Park High's choir, directed by Heidi Cissell, offers individual and ensemble singing. Students learn breathing techniques, diction, repertoire and interpretational skills, sight reading, music theory and how to sing in several languages.

Next year the choir will perform at the International Haydn Festival in Vienna, Austria, according to Cissell's school web page.

Anna Lovejoy heads the fine arts department, which offers classes in studio art, graphic design, painting, sculpture and drawing.

"I feel like it's been so rewarding, and the students have been so successful," Lovejoy said of the program. "Every year just gets better. . . . I've learned so much from them."

Recent graduate John Galan said the art program has grown because of Lovejoy. "Mrs. Lovejoy has taught me so much the three years that she's been here," Galan said. "She taught me to embrace my culture and my creativity."

Triple the talent

Triplets Andrew, Christopher and Kelsey Karl have been involved in the choir and drama programs at the school for four years. In the spring musical, "Beauty and the Beast," Andrew portrayed the Beast; Christopher was Gaston, and Kelsey played Mrs. Potts in one of the performances.

"The performing arts program at Oak Park High School benefits the kids in a way that I believe cannot be found in every other high school program," Andrew said. "The drama and choir programs are tight, family-bonded programs that allow the student to be able to express and create without the worry of being able to impress their peers."

Christopher counts his experience performing in "Beauty and the Beast" among his fondest high school memories. "During (the production) when I walked out on stage and everyone started clapping for me . . . it was wonderful to know that I was giving back to the audience and that they appreciated it." He will study communications at the University of Arizona in the fall and hopes to work in radio and broadcasting after graduation.

Kelsey, who is interested in studying elementary education at Cal State Sonoma in the fall, said she will continue to perform in college because her experience at Oak Park High was so fulfilling.

She said that from her first performance in "Les Mis," she was hooked. "It was my first time performing in an actual role onstage, and the cast and production were truly amazing," she said.

"I can take the things that I have learned at Oak Park and apply them into not only everyday life but into whatever and wherever life takes me," Kelsey said.

Andrew Karl's experience at Oak Park High has already yielded some big rewards. He was recently cast as a student revolutionary in the concert version of "Les Mis" at the Hollywood Bowl and was one 15 students accepted to the musical theater program at Ithaca College.

Andrew hopes to live in Manhattan and become a stage performer and would like to open his own regional theater company and youth conservatory. "(I want to) spread theater arts to youth and teens and keep the spirit and joy that I found at Oak Park High School drama alive," he said.

"Oak Park Performing Arts has taught me how to be a professional." Andrew said. He added, "The gifts I have been given have not just been good times and fun experiences. I have learned respect, discipline, what hard work really means, how to be a good example and a strong leader. That is the reason that Oak Park Performing Arts are so strong. . . .You can see this every day in the spirit of every person that we work with, in every kid and every teacher."