Upper School Students Navigate Stormy Seas

The Upper School performed three sold out performances of Shakespeare's The Tempest at Baruch College Performing Arts Center in December 2022. There was full support among students to perform Shakespeare, despite interest in also exploring more diverse works. Performing Arts Department Chair Steve Borowka explains, “Students understand that Shakespeare is the basis for modern theater. The heightened language calls on actors to work hard, and his themes are universal. ”

A record number of 40 students took part as members of cast and crew. As he often does, Steve re-wrote the play to accommodate the number and talents of the cast to create six new roles. In a party scene where Shakespeare would add a song, Steve asked the soloists to pick songs that they would like to hear at a party. Steve comments, “Shakespeare loved using music and so the students chose songs by Taylor Swift and One Direction to make the play relatable for our contemporary audience.” Steve’s musician friend, John McCGrew, wrote an original song for Walker ’25, in the role of Miranda, highlighting her musical talents.

The staging was immersive and dynamic, with audience members sharing the stage with cast members. Steve comments, “When you make the audience part of the action they have to pay attention. It also makes each performance different.” Work is already underway for the spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Steve comments, “This will be my 20th performance at Friends so it will be special and, with rising anit-Semitism in the world, I think it comes at the right time to celebrate acceptance, culture and family.”

Click here to view more photos from the production.