One Act Play Festival Returns
Grace Oh '21 and Elena Junkala '21
June 2, 2018
The popular One Act Play Festival, referred to as One Acts, marks the end of spring term at Groton. On Saturday, May 27, students excitedly watched their friends shine in a series of short plays. One Acts is a tradition which started before Laurie Sales was the Theater Director. Plays were not student-w...
Artist of the Issue: Ben Calmas
June 2, 2018
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
According to Ben Calmas ’18, “something clicked” the first time he looked through a camera lens. At Groton, he has most recently contributed his artwork as Photography Editor for The Circle Voice (CV) and through his work on senior portraits this spring. Ben took photo classes for all three terms o...
Tragedy, Love in “The Women of Lockerbie”
May 30, 2018
In the aftermath of Pan Am 103’s fatal flight over the hills of Lockerbie, Scotland, a mother from New Jersey looks for the remains of her son. Also scavenging the plane’s wreckage are the women of Lockerbie. While the mother grieves, these women fight the United States government and strive to rescue...
Artist of the Issue: Josie Fulton
May 30, 2018
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
If you’ve ever been to a Groton theater production, there is a good chance that you have seen Josie Fulton ‘18 doing one of the things she loves most: acting. Whether as a leading role in Twelfth Night, a dancer in Cabaret or a grieving mother in “The Women of Lockerbie,” Josie has been a strong and consis...
The Man Behind the Mask: DJ Juice
May 30, 2018
Filed under Arts
It is nine o’clock on a typical Groton Saturday night. After walking awkwardly past the teachers stationed by the Dining Hall stairs, you squeeze into the throng of sweaty, overworked students and begin jumping in sync with the music. What a hype song choice, you might think to yourself and look over ...
Timothée Chalamet, Hollywood’s Heartthrob
May 30, 2018
Filed under Arts
If you had met 22-year-old Timothée Chalamet just five years prior, he would have been a senior at New York City’s renowned Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, preparing to enter Columbia University in the fall of 2013. However, instead of staying on his inten...
Artist of the Issue: Michael Senko
May 30, 2018
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
Five. That’s the number of singing groups Michael Senko ‘18 has been a member of during his four years at Groton. And if you have ever sat down in the Performing Arts Center to watch a show, there’s a good chance that you have seen Michael, whether in his role as Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night th...
Wakanda Forever: A Review of Black Panther
May 30, 2018
Since its release on February 16, Black Panther has become a global and cultural phenomenon. Smashing ticket pre-sales and grossing approximately 1.3 billion dollars against a 200-million-dollar budget, it is now the tenth highest grossing film of all time. Though its overall importance cannot be understated, ...
Epics, Illustrated: Drawing the Aeneid
May 30, 2018
Filed under Arts
Sophie Park ‘19 is what you may call a classics aficionado. Known to many around campus as “Spark,” Sophie has attended two Groton trips to Greece and Rome, and has taken as many classics courses as she can get her hands on. Although studying subjects such as Latin, Greek, and archeology ...
Artist of the Issue: James Hovet
March 2, 2018
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
James Hovet ’18 has spent time in the CPAC ever since his arrival on the circle five years ago. Taking a bow after directing his first one-act play has been James’ most memorable Groton theater moment. He has also acted in the productions of “Equus,” “The Laramie Project,” “Twelve Angry Jur...
Who’s Winning What? Oscar Predictions 2018
March 2, 2018
Filed under Arts
After a tumultuous and historic year in Hollywood, the year’s most prestigious awards ceremony is nearing. In this article, I’ll be predicting the winners of the Oscars’ main awards based on the results of previous award shows, critic reviews, and personal opinion. Here is a list of the Oscar nom...
Cardi More Than Just a Girl from the Bronx
March 2, 2018
Filed under Arts
Triple platinum debut single. Three songs in Billboard’s Top 10. Stripper turned Instagram personality turned superstar. Cardi B is arguably the biggest hip-hop breakout star of 2017. If the lyrics “I don’t gotta dance, I make money move” don’t ring any bells, I recommend that y...
Teachers Reveal Their Favorite Tunes
March 2, 2018
Filed under Arts
If you’re looking for a way to momentarily escape Groton’s winter blues, look no further than our faculty. With their tastes in music ranging from heavy metal to country, you’re sure to find something that will help break you out of Groton’s dreary and dark winter, even if only for three minutes....
The Last Jedi: A Fan Base Divided
January 19, 2018
The Force has awoken: this past winter break was graced with the arrival of the eighth installment of the Star Wars saga. The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, brought a surge of polarizing developments to the story and caused uproar among fans. Let’s take a look at a couple interesting theorie...
Artist of the Issue: Max Klein
January 19, 2018
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts, Music
Leaving the audience in awe, Max Klein ‘18 graces concerts with his musical talents. From being a music prefect to composing pieces for theater productions such as Equus and Twelfth Night, he’s grown into a formidable presence in the Groton art scene. Max says piano was the first instrument...
Belated Christmas Bops
January 19, 2018
Filed under Arts, Music, Reviews
Feeling the Christmas blues? Sounds like you need a sick playlist to jam along to. Here are some contemporary tunes to help you reminisce on the good ol’ holidays. “Santa’s Coming For Us” - Sia Contrary to its title, which sounds like a dark, cautionary tale of Santa coming to ki...
Weightlifter Brings Inspirational Art to the Circle
January 19, 2018
Filed under Arts, Visual Arts
Immigrant, weightlifter, artist: Kledia Spiro, this year’s Mudge Fellow, can be described in these three words, but her art and her person transcend these ideas. At an early age, Ms. Spiro immigrated from war-torn Albania to the United States. Here, she became both an Olympic weightlifter and an art...
Installations in Galleries Provoke Thought
October 26, 2017
Filed under Arts
With two galleries on campus, there is always much artwork to explore on the Circle. This fall, art faculty Beth Van Gelder and Monika Andersson worked to curate art that would encourage students to engage with our resident galleries. The Brodigan Gallery, located next to the Webb-Marshall Room, cu...
New Leader For Groton’s Gospel Choir
October 26, 2017
Filed under Arts
Robert Pate, the new gospel choir director, brings a new set of vocals and unique experiences to the Circle. Hailing from Baltimore, Mr. Pate has distinguished himself from his classmates at public school for singing in adult choirs from a young age and for directing successful church and school choirs. M...
Artist of the Issue: Daisy Fey
October 26, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
Some artists only master one art form and boast perfect control over their execution and inspiration. Daisy Fey ‘18 is the exact opposite: a Renaissance girl. Daisy paints, draws, sings, tattoos, and writes. Rather than looking for inspiration, Daisy lets it find her, aiming only to “draw the ener...
It Fails to Fulfill Its Namesake
October 26, 2017
Filed under Arts
Nothing ever appears as terrifying on screen as it does in our minds when we are alone with a novel. Stephen King’s latest book-to-screen adaptation, It, directed by Andres Muschietti, is based on the unsettling 1,300-page epic published in 1986. But the movie fails to live up to the novel and, quite...
The Autumn Aux: Your Fall Playlist
October 3, 2017
Filed under Arts
Fall term is an endless list of possibilities – the season to reinvent yourself. New year, new me, right? The changing colors of the trees is the sign that another year of Groton has begun. With a blank slate in front of us, perhaps it’s time to also modify our playlist. The following list of new songs...
Artist of the Issue: Malik Gaye
October 3, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
While others chose baseball bats and paintbrushes, Malik Gaye ‘18 chose masks and microphones. He has a pronounced gift for theater—especially comedy—and enjoys making people laugh, especially his peers and younger Grotonians. The way he presents himself not only on stage as an actor, but also ...
Chronicling the Rise and Fall of Taylor Swift
Claire Lee ‘20 and Katie Reveno ‘20
October 3, 2017
Filed under Arts
‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood / You know it used to be mad love / So take a look what you’ve done / ‘Cause, baby, now we got bad blood. From Tennessee-native country singer to queen of pop, Taylor Swift is thought to have peaked at her album 1989, filled with instant chart toppers such as ...
An Interview with Melissa De Jesus, Groton’s Newest Art Teacher
Sophia Wu and Anya Hanitchak ‘21
October 3, 2017
Filed under Arts
Ms. De Jesus sits down with us in the early morning, willing to spend a few minutes of her day with third formers who have absolutely no idea how to hold a proper interview. As we mumble through our questions she answers thoroughly, and is genuinely pleased to be with us. She is excited and nervou...
Artist of the Issue: Candilla Park
September 11, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
Candilla “Candy” Park ‘18 is what some might call a Renaissance girl. From writing and debating to playing instruments, dancing, and painting, Candy has explored many mediums of art.She has dipped her toes in some areas while taking a full dive into others. In her opinion, however, “the best t...
Summer Reading, Reviewed
September 11, 2017
In the all-too-likely event that you skipped your summer reading, dear reader, I’ll relieve your suspense now: you did not miss any transformational experiences. That being said, you’ll find a pleasant few hours’ reading. Both the recommended community book (The Town that Food Saved) and the Diversity and...
Max Klein ’18 Makes Exquusite Music
June 2, 2017
Haunting. Elegant. Intense. Playgoers were in awe of the music composed by Max Klein ‘18 that accompanied Groton’s production of Equus. Charlie Hawkings ‘17, who played psychiatrist Martin Dysart, said that Max’s music “truly captured the essence of the play.” Yet Max’s composition, despit...
Five Plays, Two Shows: One Acts Return
June 2, 2017
Spring term has flown by, with memorable events from Circle Fest and Events Dance to Spring Fling taking place throughout. Preeminent among these spring traditions, though, is the One Act Festival, in which students direct short one-act plays (often written by students). This year’s One Act Festival ...
Artist of the Issue: Michael Aduboffour ’17
June 2, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
While some Groton students blow the community away with their visual art, theatrical pursuits, or dance, Mike inspires with his words. He is an artistic force to be reckoned with in his own right. This year, Mike has truly blossomed as an artist, releasing his first professional single "Vapor" this winter and ...
13 Reasons Why Not
May 11, 2017
Filed under Arts
Thirteen Reasons Why, a Netflix series based on the novel by Jay Asher, is considered controversial because of its portrayal of suicide. The show is about the reaction of various people to the thirteen tapes that 17-year-old Hannah Baker made before she committed suicide. Each of the tapes focuses on ...
Mohamad Hafez brings art to the Circle
May 11, 2017
Filed under Arts, Visual Arts
This spring, Syrian artist Mohamad Hafez installed his powerful work around the Circle. Thanks to Beth Van Gelder, Mr. Hafez has been welcomed into our community to tell his story through his work. Ms. Van Gelder first noticed Mohamad’s work in an ad in Artscope Magazine for an ...
DAMN.
May 11, 2017
It has been over two years since Kendrick Lamar released To Pimp A Butterfly. The album, eclectic, masterful, and wildly successful, ushered in a new era of experimental rap-jazz that, at first listen, seems to continue in DAMN.. But Kendrick’s new album, released on April 14th, is notably more mat...
Artist of the Issue: Piper Higgins ’17
May 11, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
An Open Mic head, Choir Prefect, and Music Prefect, Piper Higgins does it all. And yet, she has never taken a music lesson in her life. In her five years at Groton, Piper has continually inspired others with her beautiful voice and guitar playing. You simply can’t miss her filling the Chapel and...
Embrace your angst with the best of the 2000s
By BECKY ZHANG ‘18 AND ROSELLE LOVELL-SMITH ‘18
January 27, 2017
Filed under Arts, Music, Reviews
Thought you’d seen the last of us? Don’t worry. DJs Beckybeckyhi and Rizzle Lizzle Smizzle heard your pleas and are back with another angsty playlist to get you through these chilly winter months. Get ready for our freshest playlist yet, throwing back with a few classics from your wildest middle school...
“La La Land” breaks records, Senko’s heart
January 27, 2017
“Cinemascope presents, in full color, a motion picture spectacular: an adventurous escapade of music, love, and dreams in a whimsical cityscape!” No, this is not a synopsis for a traditional movie-musical from the 20s, 60s, and 70s - it’s the promotional text for this year’s frontrunner for B...
Theater Department Thinks Outside the Boxes
January 27, 2017
Sixteen voices echo off the walls of the black box theater. Just seconds before, sock-clad feet were finding their places for the opening number, and hearts were beating with anticipation as Matthew Higgins Iati ’17 played the song’s intro chords on the piano. It’s the first run-through of the beginn...
Artist of the Issue
January 27, 2017
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
She does it all: singing, songwriting, guitar, and theater. At Groton, one would be hard-pressed to find a musical aspect of the school that Phoebe isn’t involved in. From two years of a songwriting FSA to co-leading Open Mic to her various other endeavors, Phoebe embodies music at Groton School. Whil...
Cozy on up with “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Becky Zhang '18, Assistant Arts Editor
December 15, 2016
Filed under Arts, Music, Reviews
Christmas is the best time of year for celebrating the joys of family, friendship, and childhood. If you’re looking to get in the sentimental Christmas mood, it’s time for you to (re)watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It is “one of the best movies ever,” according to Dr. Reyes. Parents and f...
Artist of the Issue: Matthew Higgins Iati
Michael Senko '18, Assistant Arts Editor
December 15, 2016
Filed under Artist Of The Issue, Arts
One February day in 2012, the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany, was harboring three magnificent musical ensembles: The Staatskapelle Orchestra, the choir of St. Paul’s London, and the trebles of St. Thomas’ Choir School. The cathedral, rebuilt in 1994 after destruction during the 2nd World War, is...