With classrooms placed on the perimeter of the stage , the building was designed with performance in mind . And there have been a lot of performances . The Fine Arts building houses upwards of 40 dance , music , theater and visual arts performances each year . The Garland Auditorium boasts modern technical equipment for theater productions , dance performances , musical concerts and art shows . The classrooms offer a home to art studios for drawing , painting , photography and pottery , and music rooms for rehearsing the instrumental ensembles , bands and orchestras , and of course vocal music from the Chamber Singers to the Treble Choir to the Concert Choir . And the Edward O ’ Neill Gallery allows for ongoing visual art installations .
While dance classes are based in the Johnson Dance Studio within the library building , Dance Faculty Emma Campbell finds the Garland Auditorium to be irreplaceable .
" Thornton Academy ' s arts programs are second to none , and this is largely in part to the sense of community that is nurtured not only by our faculty but by the home we create in our performance spaces ,” said Campbell . “ There is rarely a time where the Garland Auditorium is not bustling with dance , music and theater . It is truly a sanctuary for many of our students . Here , they find a space to find their truth , to be a part of something larger than themselves and to create memories that will last forever ."
That level of activity draws more and more students to TA looking to take part in the program . Recent theater productions have drawn as many as 85 students to audition . Hanright credits some of the popularity of the TA arts program to the culture in Maine .
“ The arts are really big in Maine ,” said Hanright , who serves on the Maine Drama Council . “ I see a lot of theater across the state , but Thornton Academy has always been a leader in arts . I have never wanted for something that I think I should have and haven ’ t been able to get .”
The building doesn ’ t just provide students with a performance and learning space , but also allows them to
The gallery provides continuous opportunities for student art display .
host performances by others including the One Act Drama Festival sponsored by the Maine Drama Council and Maine Principals ’ Association . Hosting external student groups with the same interests brings new energy and experiences to campus .
A Place to Be Who You Are
The TA faculty concentrate on making the arts program a safe place for all students , where they can try out something new without being criticized .
“ I don ’ t want kids to feel afraid to take a risk . It ’ s risky , you ’ re putting yourself out for judgement and for a lot of students , especially teenagers , that ’ s difficult ,” Hanright said . “ I try not to ever tell kids what to do on stage , they ’ re going to figure it out as they ’ re going . The kids have to own it personally , they have to make discoveries .”
The Fine Arts facilities and program at Thornton were foundational for several well-known grads like Camden Loeser ’ 14 who performed in “ Pippin ” at TA and then went on to perform in “ Pippin ” in the Broadway National Tour before becoming a choreographer , and Josephine Cooper ’ 12 and Elizabeth Lester ’ 14 who performed in the “ Finding Neverland ” Broadway National Tour .
But beyond the stars , the program has been a home to innumerable students who have found a place where they can be who they are . As we celebrate 25 years of the arts center , what better place to find inspiration .
Music fills the air at all hours of the day , with more than 40 performances each year . 13