Visual & Performing Arts

Visual Art at Hotchkiss offers a place for every student, regardless of experience or talent. You may be curious about your artistic abilities, but hesitate to engage because you have never studied art before. Perhaps you are well-versed in drawing or ceramics, but you are interested in new challenges and new media. Whatever your degree of confidence or experience, our program provides opportunities for success at every level. We are committed to teaching students how to see, how to compose and design, how to work through complex visual problems, and ultimately, how to manipulate various media in a compelling and personally meaningful manner.

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Dance at Hotchkiss offers students the opportunity to learn the discipline and craft of ballet and modern dance and to explore the creative challenges of this art form. Students have the opportunity to take the Humanities Dance Course, which combines learning the fundamentals of ballet and modern dance with the study of dance history, how dance is influenced by music and visual arts, as well as how dance appears in the world around us. Additionally, students who choose to take dance as a co-curricular will explore their technique and artistry in ballet and contemporary dance forms, while also focusing on choreography and composition work. Performance opportunities throughout the year include the annual mainstage Dance Company performance and in-studio/black box performances which take place primarily in the fall and spring seasons.

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The music students study the evolution of music and its cultural and expressive legacy and impact. Both the study of music (courses in music history, theory, performance, and composition) and the practice of music (applied music) are integral parts of the curriculum. Students come to Hotchkiss with a wide range of musical interests, ability, and experience, from serious musicians aspiring to a performance career to the simply curious who want know more about music or take up an instrument.

The music program offers an active series of student chamber music concerts. Guest artists frequently visit the School, offering workshops, master classes, and concerts.

There are three ways a student can get involved in music at Hotchkiss: performance courses, general music courses, and non-credit music lessons. Students come to Hotchkiss with a wide range of musical interests, ability, and experience. The music program is designed to meet the needs of this diverse student body. Those students who are serious musicians aspiring to a performance career, or those who are simply curious to know more about music or to take up an instrument, can find the courses, faculty, private instruction, and performance opportunities to meet their goals.

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The Photography, Film & Related Media program at Hotchkiss has been established for over 40 years and is housed in one of the finest facilities of its kind in the country. Students begin in the traditional darkrooms before moving into the digital domain to explore digital photography and video. Basic, advanced, and independent courses are offered in traditional photography, digital photography, and film. In addition to regular classroom instruction, students take field trips to galleries and museums. Guest artists and photographers exhibit their work in the Tremaine Art Gallery and hold workshops for students. Owning a camera is not required for beginning classes, but members of advanced photography classes should consider having their own DSLR cameras.

• Two digital classrooms and analog darkrooms
• A video editing classroom
• Screening room
• A lighting studio
• Green screen room
• Laser engraver
• Printers: large format, medium format, and b/w digital printer
• Mounting and laminating room

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Open to all students, regardless of experience level, the theatre program offers courses in acting, design, directing, musical theatre, public speaking, and theatre technology. All of the courses help students develop creative problem-solving skills through practical, hands-on experience. Qualified students may also be permitted to direct or design productions sponsored by the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association.

The goal of the theatre program is to enhance students' appreciation of theatre as a literary and performing art, whether they're participating in a stage production or attending one.

Explore the theatre program

• Esther Eastman Music Center and Katherine M. Elfers Hall. Learn more about this state-of-the-art facility and professional performance space.
• Walker Auditorium, a 660-seat theatre for student performances, guest speakers, film festivals, weekly All-School Meetings, and other special events
• The Black Box Theatre, an intimate space for student productions
• The Edgar Cullman Art Studios
• The Tremaine Art Gallery