To conclude the fall trimester for the performing arts, Singing in the Spotlight performed a wide array of solo and ensemble vocal pieces, featuring Maya D. '26, Claire J. '28, Ekkoh K. '26, Paige M. '26, Izzy M. '28, Ollie P. '28, Lana P. '26, Gigi R. '28, Taylor S. '26, Shaan T. '28, and Natalie W. '28, with guest Asher Z. '26 (guitar).
Now Playing: The Crucible Repertory - November 7-16
The Performing Arts Department will conjure up the Salem witch trials with two plays inspired by Arthur Miller's The Crucible (1953): John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower on November 7-9 and Abigail / 1702: A Twice-told Tale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa on November 14-16.
In the final week of May, 62 student musicians from five Burke bands performed 21 pieces from myriad musical genres – including songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Etta James, the Beatles, Joan Jett, and Bruno Mars.
Speaking of numbers, six musicians performed on three or more instruments, including a modular synthesizer!
Our vocal music classes concluded their performance season on May 23, singing for a capacity crowd in the theater. Opening with the 7th/8th Combined Chorus, the concert also featured High School Chorus,Taylor S. '26 (representing the new Songwriting class), and the debut of "Diving In," the 6th grade performing arts survey class.
On May 16-18, the Middle School performed an uplifting, sold-out run of Annie Jr., the Broadway staple about a resourceful young orphan (Leona K. '28) and a guarded, but benevolent billionaire (Jessica B. '29) amid the Great Depression in New York City.
In early May, the intermediate and advanced Burke Bands headed down to the Carlyle Room on I Street NW, where they performed to a substantial crowd of family, friends, and music enthusiasts. Enjoy clips from the performance here:
This coming spring, the Middle School will mount Annie Jr., featuring a high-energy, captivating cast of 30 performers. Set in New York City amid the Great Depression, this Broadway standard follows the optimistic Annie (Leona K. '28) as she escapes swindling from the spiteful Miss Hannigan (Izzy M. '28) and con artists Rooster (Robert D. '28) and Lily (Natalie W. '28), and discovers an opulent new world with Olivia Warbucks (Jessica B. '29) and Grace Farrell (Jayla Z. '28).
Showcasing the musical, artistic, and production talents of 60 students in 8th-12th grade, Mean Girls: The Musical opened on the final day of February and played to sold-out houses through March 9. Download the program here.
Max Streitwieser '20 recently visited Advanced Band to discuss his experiences in the NYU music business program, where he is now a senior. He also shared his own music, which he composes and performs under the artist name Nicknames. His music can be found on all streaming platforms.
Our Performing Arts department is excited to announce that 67 students in grades 8-12 will come together to perform and produce Mean Girls: The Musical this winter. Rehearsals are now underway, so the dates: March 1-2 and 8-9. It shall be fetch.
For the uninitiated, Mean Girls is based on the iconic, and absurdly quotable, 2004 comedy of the same name. After years of homeschooling with her zoologist parents, Cady Heron (Sienna M. '24) starts 11th grade in Illinois, where she swiftly befriends Janis and Damian (Stella T. '24 and Charlie W. '25) and crushes on Aaron Samuels (Ian M. R. '24). But before long, she falls in with The Plastics: Karen (Lana P. '26), Gretchen (Cary T. T. '25), and the queen bee Regina (Carrie J. '24).
On the final Wednesday of the 1st trimester, friends and family packed the Samara Studio Theater for the year's first concert.
The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus and the Fall High School Chorus, accompanied by students and faculty from Advanced Instrumental Music, treated the crowd to six songs, including "Hello" by Adele and "XO" by Beyoncé (with a guest senior soloist).
Interspersed were performances from Singing in the Spotlight, a vocal music class for soloists, which included classic rock, contemporary hits, and musical theater songs. The concert concluded with a combined performance of "New Soul" by Yael Naim, featuring all three classes.
By "there," we mean the closing performances of Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, brought to life by a wildly creative (and sometimes sardonic) ensemble of high school actors and crew. Final shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM.
A modern take on the 15th century morality play, Everybody follows "Everybody" as they navigate the journey of Life with help (or lack thereof) from friends, family, stuff, love, and more.
A 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist in Drama, Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins comes to the Samara Studio Theater on November 3-4 and 10-11. A modern take on a 15th Century morality play, Everybody chooses some roles by lottery at each performance, enabling the audience to see a wholly different show than the day before.
On May 23, the award-winning 7th & 8th Grade Chorus, High School Chorus, and Advanced Chorus on a high energy, captivating Choral Concert to close out the school year, concluding with a combined chorus rendition of "I'm Still Standing."
Closing out May in a musical manner, 56 student musicians, representing five Burke bands, filled the gym with classical, jazz, blues, and rock hits – ranging from Beethoven to Horace Silver, from the Cranberries to Rodgers and Hart – for the annual Band Showcase.
Continuing a long spring tradition, Burke's Advanced and Intermediate Bands played to a packed, energetic house on Monday, May 8, at Blues Alley, "the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club."
What's "so much better" than this awesome middle school cast? Not much! 23 actors from 6th-8th grade will present the delightful, uplifting Legally Blonde Jr. this coming May 12-13 at 7 PM. Legally Blonde Jr. "follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams."
The Performing Arts Department is pleased to announce the 8th-12th grade cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, performing in the Samara Studio Theatre from March 3-11.