Award-Winning Theater

Theater & Dance

An Award-Winning Theater Department

As the active students in KO’s award-winning Theater Department say, “No one does it like KO!”

 

And it’s true.

 

Students here are always close to someone inspiring – from the KO teachers themselves to those Broadway and local actors and dancers who workshop with students to bring out the very best performances from them. Singers critique performances with care and compassion; choreographers give detailed feedback. And, they are available for courageous conversations, led by our theater director, when dealing with sensitive subjects that the musical or play may touch upon so that the students fully understand how to communicate on stage.

 

KO’s dedicated teachers are committed to developing students’ artistic capacities and expanding their worldview with empathy.

 

Coming this Spring to KO....

Show Stopping Musicals

SWEET CHARITY

 

In the spring of 2023, the KO cast and crew lit up the stage with the musical comedy-drama Sweet Charity. The show was an energizing blend of rousing songs, Fosse choreography, and witty dialogue. The show received the Dance Molinari Scholarship, a HALO award and multiple nominations.

 

 

9 to 5: The Musical

 

In the spring of 2022, the KO cast and crew performed the timeless classic 9 to 5. The storyline engaged the community in courageous conversations about workplace equity and women’s empowerment, earning a Halo Award for Best High School Musical.

 

 

 

Thoroughly Modern Millie

 

In the spring of 2020, the KO cast and crew gave a jaw-dropping performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie, ending with a standing ovation from the audience – not to mention being voted Best High School Musical in the entire state!

 

CHICAGO

 

In the spring of 2019, the KO theater department delivered a show-stopping performance of the Broadway classic CHICAGO. The production took home several Halo Awards and earned the performers top recognition in the state and beyond.

 

 

Broadway@KO

Broadway@KO is a signature program that allows our students to learn from the best Broadway professionals of our time. Broadway@KO brings some of the hottest names in showbiz each year to our campus and during Covid virtually! (You know, the show must go on!) Our students can sing for their critique, learn famous Broadway choreography, and perfect their acting alongside industry professionals. This signature program is truly one of a kind for independent schools.

 

Learn more about some recent Broadway performers who have visited KO:

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Barrett Wilbert Weed

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Christy Altomare

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Shoshana Bean

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Taylor Louderman

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Harmon, Beau

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Ioana Alfanso

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Kate Baldwin

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Stephanie Bissonette

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Ben Fankhauser

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Chris Fitzgerald

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Jessica Lee Goldyn

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Deirdre Goodwin

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Tim Hughes

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Autumn Hurlbert

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Thayne Jasperson

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Grasan Kingsberry

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Jessica Lee Patty

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Lesli Margherita

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Kate Marilley

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Michael Mindlin

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Shina Ann Morris

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Eva Noblezada

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Stephanie Pope

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Natalie Weiss

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Dance at KO

Workshopping with Local Choreographers

 

Choreographer Showcase connects our dancers to industry professionals throughout the country – Broadway performers, ballet company dancers, athletic dancers, street fusion dancers, contemporary/modern professionals, and more. Each year our choreographers bring their knowledge, talent, and inspiration to young thespians and dancers, working with them for over two months in what culminates as an epic performance by both the choreographer teachers and their students.

 

Learn more about some recent Choreographers who have visited KO:

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Nicole Henkel

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Lauren Horn

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Rosanna Karabetsos

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Brian Syms

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Cody Bakhshi

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Ronnie Bowman

Mary Cadorette-Daly

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Avery Casasanta

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Chantal Edwards-Matthews

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Rachael Gnatowski

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Brandon Gregoire

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Jus Hughes

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Savana Jones

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Geo Mantilla

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Meghan McDermott

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Lucie Schultz

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Sinque Tavares

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Choreographer Showcase

Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers
Students at Kingswood Oxford participate in an award-winning dance program and workshop with professional choreographers

Director of Theater Kyle Reynolds

Mr. Reynolds is an award-winning director with an accomplished career in theater education and directing. Under his instruction, his students have achieved successful careers in Broadway and off-Broadway productions and national tours. At the college level, Reynold’s students have also gained acceptance to elite musical theater universities: Baldwin Wallace, Shenandoah, Ithaca, Boston Conservatory, New York University Tisch, and the University of Michigan. Reynolds, a performer himself, continues to be inspired by the creativity and hunger for musical theater training at KO. He has transformed our theater program over the last few years into a triple-threat curriculum and, as a result, led our program to become award-winning after winning “Best Musical” in the State of Connecticut for Kingswood Oxford’s 2020 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which was centered in the establishing our program as a vehicle to promote student awareness, cultural competency, and courageous conversations in both an entertaining and educational manner. The school was awarded “Best Musical” again in 2022 for 9 to 5: The Musical and Best Choreographer Showcase in 2021.

Previous Productions

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Pippin

Chicago

Thoroughly Modern MillIe

Almost Maine

Melancholy Play

Spring Cabarets

Rabbit Hole

The Process

Students can register for several artistic electives to further their craft within a process-based learning environment. Students learn the following skills in the following classes.

The Product

Kingswood Oxford offers several performance opportunities throughout the academic school year.

Our Facilities

The 585-seat Roberts Theater

A malleable Black Box Theater

A professional Dance Studio