A high school drama class
A group of drama students and their teacher, Eric Young, spent a month at each location around the circle, conducting research into the architecture, histories, and social function of each site. They then created theatrical works in response to these experiences, which they performed at each site at the conclusion of each residency.
The drama class comes from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, which is a public visual and performing arts high school founded by Tony Bennett with majors in art, dance, music, drama, and film.
Follow the work of the high school drama class below.
March 2017 - A HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLASS AT JUS BROADCASTING
36-01 36th Ave, Floor 4, Astoria / ⒺⓂⓇ to Steinway St / ⓃⓌ to 36 Ave / Hours: Mon-Fri 10am—6pm / Daily programs
After a series of research visits to JUS Broadcasting, the High School Drama Class devised new theatrical works based on their experiences. These pieces will be recorded at JUS Broadcastings studios with their team and will air to 1.5 million viewers.
April - A HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLASS AT The Institute for the study of the ancient world
15 East 84th St, Upper East Side / ④⑤⑥ to 86 St / Free guided tour every Fri at 6pm / Daily programs
The high school drama class will be devising short theatrical works based on conversations with staff and scholars at The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World and research into ancient artefacts related to the theatre. The works were performed for the public on April 29th.
MAY - A HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLASS AT THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
1071 Fifth Ave, Upper East Side / ④⑤⑥ to 86 St / Hours: Fri-Wed 10am—5:45pm, Sat 10am—7:45pm / Daily programs
During May the High School Drama Class will be in residence at the Guggenheim Museum. Based on research conducted with the staff and collections, students will create site-specific performance works in which they embody figures and other elements from paintings in the collections and bring them to life. The works will be performed for the public on May 20th during Open House Day, see calendar for details and other performances. Documentation will be posted here over the month or follow us @circleNY for live updates.
june - A HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLASS AT St. Philips Church
204 West 134th St, Harlem / ②③ⒷⒸ to 135 St / Hours: Fri and Sat 2pm—7pm, Sun 10am—5pm / Daily programs
During June the High School Drama Class will be in residence at the St. Philips Church. The student actors, directors and writers will together dramatise a hymn sung by the congregation. The dramatisation will be performed during a regular church service. See calendar for details. Documentation will be posted here over the month or follow us @circleNY for live updates.
August/September - A High School Drama Class Returns Home
35-12 35th Ave, Astoria / ⒺⓂⓇ to Steinway St / ⓃⓌ to 36 Ave / Open hours: Mon-Fri 3pm—5pm / Daily programs
In August and September the high school drama class returns home to Frank Sinatra School for the Arts where they will present all of the performances from . . .Circle Through New York at a public assembly.