Today is a special day in the New Hampton School community. While art classrooms, stages, and studios are frequently bustling with students, it is a commendable undertaking to spend an entire day as a community focused on and engaging in the arts. Director of Visual and Performing Arts Amy Wilson with the support of alumni, faculty, students, and friends, organizes this event each year. To end the day, we joined together for reflection before dinner and the opening night of the spring play.
Celebrating artistic expression
To begin the Art Awards ceremony, Contemporary Performance Lab took to the stage to perform. Interludes throughout the ceremony included Mr. Arkell sharing the honorees of this year’s poetry contest before launching into the Art Awards. In turn, each arts faculty member provided insight into the year our community has experienced. The rising stars in studio arts, music, and theatre, we learned the meaningful stories behind the art created among us. From the classrooms to the gallery and stages, each piece had a story and a person behind them that demonstrates not only creativity, but more importantly a passion for artistic expression and a commitment to growth in their art. Please join us in congratulating all of the honorees!
An Exciting Year Ahead
Mx. JD and Mr. Cahoon had the honor of announcing the theme and slate of shows for the theatre program’s 2026-2027 season. They noted the year’s theme of “On the Brink” which will see each of the plays focusing on finding meaning. Students interested in participating should watch for details in “News” following the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year in September.
Pippin – Fall 2026
Pippin is a Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson, famously directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse for its original 1972 Broadway production. The show follows Pippin, the son of Charlemagne, as he searches for meaning and purpose in life, guided by a mysterious troupe of performers led by a “Leading Player”. Known for its iconic songs like “Corner of the Sky” and “Magic to Do,” the musical explores themes of war, love, and fulfillment.
Little Women – Winter 2027
Little Women (the musical) is a stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, with a book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. It follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up during the Civil War, focusing on their individual journeys of love, loss, and self-discovery, with Jo’s ambition to be a writer at the center.
Antigone – Spring 2027
Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles, written around 440 BC, about a young woman who defies a royal decree to bury her brother, leading to a fatal conflict between divine law and human law. The play explores themes of duty, family, state authority, and morality, as Antigone chooses to honor the gods’ unwritten laws over the king’s edict, creating a clash with her uncle, King Creon, who believes his laws are supreme.
2026 Art Awards
Congratulations to the following students who were recognized with Art Awards:
Excellence in Ceramics Awards: Riley Proulx ’26, Eric Zhang ’27, Norah Lee ’26
Emerging Artist in Photography Award: Jackson Marks ’28
Excellence in Photography Award: John Freeborn ’28
Artist’s Spirit in Photography: Mila Cabot-Jones ’28
Portfolio Award in Studio Art: Asa Gilman ’26
Emerging Artist in Studio Art: Ryan Suarez ’28, Max Timbrell ’28
Artistic Vision Award: Ripley Kiedaisch ’28
Spirit of an Artist Award: Mary Ludwig ’28
Best Behind the Scenes Award: Chase Graves ’26
Distinguished Performer Award: Howard Zhang ’28
Director’s Award: Izzy Baskins ’26
Music Citizen Award: Jake Stevens ’26
Career Musician Award: Allie Reimer ’26
Most Improved Musician Award: Asher Senor ’28
Whole Artist Award: Sarah Pollard ’26
Diploma with Distinction in the Arts
This year marks the first graduating class of the Diplomas with Distinction in the Arts. Ms. Wilson and the arts department extend their congratulations to the seven seniors who have fulfilled the requirements for this distinction. Please join us in honoring the following seniors, as well as the rising classes of student-artists seeking candidacy in the years ahead.
Class of 2026 Graduates:
Mary Banker ’26
Izzy Baskins ’26
Asa Gilman ’26
Estelle Jennings ’26
Jake Stevens ’26
Candidates for the Class of 2027:
Charlotte Brandes ’27
Sonja Curley ’27
Katelyn Edson ’27
Avery Green ’27
Jessie Jiang ’27
Jayden Jones ’27
Sarah Pollard ’27
Ava Smith ’27
Casey Song ’27
Lisa Wong ’27
Adia Robinson-Woods ’27
Inaya Robinson-Woods ’27
Eric Zhang ’27
Candidates for the Class of 2028:
Mary Ludwig ’28
Kai Knight ’28
Ryan Suarez ’28
Max Timbrell ’28
Ripley Kiedaisch ’28
