Performing Arts

The Wizard of Oz at Madeira

The Performing Arts Department offers experiences in three artistic mediums: drama, music, and dance. Each program maintains discipline specific performances and curriculum in addition to collaborating on two major events during the school year, Winterfest and the winter musical.

Learn more about courses in the performing arts.

Drama

Training in theater is offered through coursework as well as through participation in any of the three annual main-stage dramatic events.

Coursework

Classroom instruction is offered in acting and directing. Acting classes introduce the fundamentals of the craft, including basic movement, speech, and analysis techniques. Courses in directing teach composition, script analysis, rehearsal techniques, and production management.

Main Stage Events

The annual main-stage theater events are the fall play, the winter musical, and the student directed one-acts festival held in the spring. Participation in the fall play and winter musical is open to the student community as a whole, without a prerequisite. The one-act plays are directed by the students enrolled in the directing class, yet actors and technicians from outside the class are also welcomed into the process. Involvement in the technical aspects of the theater is required for the actors and stage crew of each production. Basic training in theater lighting, set design, costume design, and sound design is taught by professional theater designers and technicians recruited from the metropolitan area.

Music

Madeira offers training in vocal and instrumental music through participation in ensembles and private instruction.

Madeira’s Madrigal Ensemble

The School’s premiere singing group that performs in classical, folk, popular, and Broadway styles. A brief audition or prior participation in the ensemble is required for membership.

Private Vocal Instruction

Lessons are 45 minutes long and are given once a week throughout the school year. Students are given classical vocal training but study a number of vocal styles. There is no prerequisite.

The Chamber Orchestra

A twenty-piece orchestra provides an ensemble experience for pianists, string players, and wind and brass players. Instrumentalists perform classical, jazz, and popular musical styles.

Private Instrumental Instruction

Lessons are 45 minutes long and are given once a week throughout the school year. Private instrumental instruction is available for piano, violin, viola, flute, and guitar.

Performances at which vocalists and musicians participate include:

  • the fall performing arts assembly
  • the soiree recital reries
  • Parents' Weekend in October
  • admissions open house
  • the December Winterfest festival
  • the spring Pops Concert
  • the winter musical
  • Madeira’s closing Convocation
  • Affirmation
  • local competition events

Dance

Dancers from the Washington-based CityDance Company are the instructors for Madeira’s dance program. Through this collaborative relationship, Madeira provides classes that teach a wide range of dance styles. Currently, CityDance provides four instructors for ballet, modern, and jazz classes as well as the choreographer for the winter musical.

Ballet

Madeira offers ballet instruction at the beginning and the intermediate levels. Students enrolled in these classes receive classical technical training under the tutelage of a Russian-trained instructor. Much of the choreography taught in these classes is adapted from that of the Kirov and Bolshoi ballet companies.

Jazz

Jazz classes explore standard jazz combinations, tap, swing, and ethnic dance such as African and mambo.

Modern Dance

Modern dance classes also include a variety of repertory styles. Students learn movement styles from the early innovators in the form as well as popular dance styles such as hip-hop and salsa.