PROJECTS

Artists engage in projects that emphasize the creative process through opportunities designed to expand their creative lens through collaboration, community engagement, and multiple performance and presentation avenues. These courses are open to students from all primes. Enrollment and eligibility requirements vary among project offerings.

Projects are designed to encourage students from all prime arts areas to collaborate.

By opting in to a face-to-face project, artists commit to the full trimester, the final presentation (at the Spring Showcase, an evening event), and any additional rehearsals required to prepare the presentation (tech or dress rehearsals that may be scheduled outside of the regular classes, that students will be informed about in advance).

As a collaborator, it is imperative that artists see the project through from beginning to end, therefore, only at the conclusion of the project are hours awarded. If artists do not complete the project and present at the festival, they do not earn the hours.

SPECIAL PROJECT OFFERINGS

SPECIAL PROJECTS EXTEND ACROSS MULTIPLE TRIMESTERS AND/OR REQUIRE AN AUDITION.

These are continuing from the Fall/Winter Trimesters, or from auditions held in the Fall Trimester.

EURYDICE

SPRING MAINSTAGE PLAY

Directors: Francesca Chilcote & Emily Karol

fchilcote@aacps.org , ekgerbasi@aacps.org

Mondays through Thursdays at Studio 39 | (4 days per week) | Winter and Spring Trimesters

In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.

Auditions for this production were held in the fall, and rehearsals began during the Winter Trimester

Performances are scheduled for March 17, 18, 24, & 25 at Studio 39.

This special project extends across the Winter and Spring Trimesters. Students involved are not be able to register for additional Apex+ opportunities that meet face-to-face.

*Note: This project does not extend beyond the performance dates.

Poster design by Michael Hall

DANCE COMPANY A

DANCE COMPANY B

Director: Julia Hawkins

jdhawkins@aacps.org

Dance Co A: Tuesdays and Thursdays at Annapolis HS (2 days per week)

Dance Co B: Wednesdays at Annapolis HS

(1 day per week)

Fall, Winter and Spring Trimesters

Yearly Audition Required.

Auditions for the 2022-2023 season have already been held.

Dance Company is a group determined by audition held in May 2022. There are no further auditions scheduled for the 2022-2023 school year.

If you were selected for Dance Company, your rehearsal and performance hours are credited toward your Apex+ requirement. You will meet at Annapolis HS during Apex+ (approx. 3:30-4:30) for rehearsals. This is required for the fall, winter, and spring trimesters. Company dancers represent the Apex Arts Dance Magnet at AACPS Dance Festivals, Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase, and Regional/National High School Dance Festivals, as well as other performance opportunities throughout the school year. Additional rehearsals may be scheduled outside of the Apex+ structure.

While it is recommended all students engage in Apex+ Projects, your full participation in Dance Company A will cover your Apex+ requirement as outlined below. Students in Dance Company B will not meet the full requirement with participation in this special project only.

As is the Apex Arts policy with all Apex+ classes, final crediting of hours is only done at the conclusion of the class on May 24, 2022 (approximately, pending AACPS final calendar) and students are required to be in regular attendance throughout the class until that date.

MODERN COMMERCIAL BAND

Mentors: Jennifer Marie Rivera & David Kauffman

jmrivera@aacps.org

Mondays and Wednesdays at Studio 39 | (2 days per week)

Fall, Winter and Spring Trimesters

Yearly Audition Required.

Auditions for the 2022-2023 season have already been held.

This band of Apex Arts musicians selected by audition will use modern commercial music to strengthen individual technique and musicianship in a collaborative ensemble. The Modern Commercial Band will be coached by a team of professional commercial musicians who will bring real world musical experience to the ensemble. The goal of the project is preparing for traditional live performances.

The band includes drums, bass, keys, guitar, brass/woodwinds, and vocalists. Musicians will play music from the last several decades including but not limited to rock, blues, funk, pop, soul, ska, and punk. This ensemble provides both applied and collaborative experiences designed to cultivate the skills, motivation, and personal responsibility needed to succeed in a modern band.

Modern Commercial Band is a three trimester commitment for those who have been selected for the ensemble. Modern Commercial Band will represent the Apex Arts Magnet and AACPS throughout our community over the course of the year.

MONDAY - THURSDAY FALL TRIMESTER PROJECT OFFERING

38 M-TH SESSIONS (47 HRS 30 MIN POSSIBLE)

SPRING SHOWCASE DATE: MAY 22

VOCAL AUDITIONS & BEYOND

Mentors: Jamie O'Connor & Emily Zinski

jboconnor@aacps.org , ezinski@aacps.org

Mondays through Thursdays at Studio 39 | (4 days per week)

Recommended for Vocal Primes and students with significant singing experience."

If you want to pursue a collegiate or professional career in musical theater, opera, or commercial music - this course is a must for you. In this class, students will learn how to find, prepare, and execute competitive & professional auditions. We will explore the concept of type, develop your repertoire, master the art of callbacks, and prepare you for upcoming school, collegiate, and professional auditions. This project will culminate in a mock audition open to the public on May 22.

MONDAY/WEDNESDAY PROJECT OFFERINGS

19 M/W SESSIONS (23 HRS 15 MIN POSSIBLE)

SPRING SHOWCASE DATE: MAY 22

ART ANNAPOLIS

Mentor: Mary Rosoff

mrosoff@aacps.org

Mondays & Wednesdays at Studio 39

2 days per week

All primes welcome. Visual Art experience recommended.

Artists will create a collective study of Annapolis architecture and gardens through a variety of arts disciplines. Artists will take trolley and/or walking trips to Annapolis (weather permitting) with the goal of capturing the essence of Annapolis using sketchbooks and photography on the trips. Artists will create a minimum of three highly proficient compositions using an assorted media in the studio for presentation at Studio 39 and the Maryland Hall Café.

Artists will present works at the Spring Showcase on May 22.

This project requires additional parent/guardian permission for students to leave campus on mini-field trips.

Image by Mick Williams

COLLABORATIVE FILMMAKING

Mentor: Kyle Hartford

khartford@aacps.org

Mondays & Wednesdays at Studio 39

2 days per week

Film & New Media Primes

At the beginning of the trimester, each filmmaker will participate in a "pitch meeting." This will require them to present a story idea. The class will then vote on the film they want to make.

Then, collaboratively, they will assign themselves roles in the production. Examples include director, cinematographer, editor, etc.

Throughout the trimester, the group will be responsible for shooting and editing their project and presenting rushes.

Filmmakers will present works at the Spring Showcase on May 22.

FLASH HEROES

Mentor: Lynn Schwartz

laschwartz@aacps.org

Mondays & Wednesdays at Studio 39

2 days per week

All primes welcome.

Real and fictional heroes are recognized as individuals who show great courage, empathy, and compassion. They overcome adversity, speak out, and stand up for others. Heroes are everyday people who are placed in circumstances that call on them to act in extraordinary ways. With so many challenges in our world today, let’s honor those from near and far, past and present who have helped to make positive and important changes.

In this project, we will use the popular flash fiction format (1,000 words or less) to bring your famous and unsung heroes to life. The power of these flash stories lies in their brevity, underlying emotion, surprising truths, and new perceptions. To complement these mini narratives, participants will have the opportunity to add song, video, dance, and projected art and photography. The project will culminate in a live performance — a celebratory collage of heroes — providing gratitude, inspiration, hope, and encouragement to cultivate our own inner hero.

Writers will present works at the Spring Showcase on May 22.

HOLD FOR COMEDY

Mentors: Emily Karol & Francesca Chilcote

ekgerbasi@aacps.org

Mondays & Wednesdays at Studio 39

2 days per week

All primes welcome.

This project is an open-ended exploration into all forms of Comedy. We will play through Improvisation, Stand-up, Clowning, and Sketch (think Saturday Night Live).

The performance direction of this project will be determined by the ensemble. The only requirements are a sense of humor, willingness to fail, and ability to laugh at ourselves in the moment.

Comedians will present works at the Spring Showcase on May 22.

WORLDBUILDING & STORYTELLING

Mentor: Johnny Weissgerber

jweissgerber@aacps.org

Mondays & Wednesdays at Studio 39

2 days per week

All primes welcome.

Collaborative storytelling is the name of the game in this project. Artists will begin with charrette design exercises to develop a story/world, will take it through script building/storyboarding and production design, and develop it into a lightly produced new work or installation piece. Artists will come up with plot, narrative arcs, presentation styles and design choices.

Artists will present works at the Spring Showcase on May 22.

Image by Jamie Smartkins

TUESDAY/THURSDAY PROJECT OFFERINGS

19 TU/TH SESSIONS + 1 M SESSION (25 HRS POSSIBLE)

SPRING SHOWCASE DATE: MAY 22

All projects for the Spring Trimester occur on Mondays and Wednesdays.