Fine Arts Signing Day Recognizes Students Pursuing the Arts in College

Two weeks after Saint Viator’s student athletes signed letters of intent to play their sport in college, students in the fine arts did the same. From film and theater to music and graphic design, Fine Arts Signing Day showcased students pursuing all those majors and more.

“Just as with athletics, we want to recognize our students going on to pursue the fine arts,” said Ms. Megan Gray, theater director and chairperson of the Fine Arts Department. “But for fine arts students, it’s more than filling out an application. We want to acknowledge all the additional work, training, auditions, portfolios, and applications it took to get them here.”

Take Tommy Hegberg for starters. He is an accomplished drummer who honed his skills through his years in band and playing in the pit orchestra of the musicals. This fall, he will be majoring in drum performance at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“I want to play with as many ensembles and genres as possible, and with people from all over the world,” Tommy says. “Berklee has a strong program in contemporary music, like jazz and hip hop, and new music. And I’m interested in all of it.”

All of the students thanked their parents and teachers, and particularly their fine arts teachers for advancing their creativity and opening up the world of possibilities in the fine arts.

Clare Amidei particularly thanked Ms. Gray for giving her the opportunity to be stage manager, something she plans to pursue at Hope College in Holland, MI. Its theater major promotes hands-on courses, practical production work, and opportunities for acting, directing, design, and stage management. The department produces four mainstage productions each year, fostering collaboration with faculty and guest artists. 

“I’m excited to see what connections I can make there, to work with people in the industry,” Clare said.

Hilary Dossett plans to major in film and television at Boston University while minoring in music. She thanked her parents and her teachers “for encouraging my creative side.”

One of those teachers, Mr. Matt Gruenfeld, taught Hilary in visual arts classes, and he was the moderator of the Art Club, which Hilary participated in all four years.

“She’s an exceptionally talented visual artist, and that will carry over into her work in film and television,” Mr. Gruenfeld said. “It will help her frame up her shots, especially in cinematography.”

Hilary said she loved the fact that the school is in Boston, but also its impressive reputation and facilities.

“It’s one of the top communications programs in the country,” Hilary added, “with its own studios and its own TV station. I’m interested in screenwriting, and by doing it there, I’ll be able to make some great connections.”

Lexi Horn already signed a letter of intent to play softball at Augustana College, but at this signing day, she committed to a minor in theater while majoring in secondary education.

“My softball coach plays drums in a band, so he is totally supportive of the fine arts,” Lexi said. “With my education major and minor in theater, I just want to be able to teach and direct kids in the fine arts, much like the experience I’ve had here.”

Paul Schultz has been involved in most of the theater productions at Saint Viator, and he wants to continue that in college. He chose Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida for its comprehensive training in theater. The program emphasizes practical production experiences and specialized training in acting for stage and screen, as well as musical theatre. 

 

“It’s a Christian school near Miami,” Paul said, “and it implements voice lessons into its program, which was important to me.”

Izzy Webber plans to major in visual communications at Loyola University, which offers an expansive program in graphic design. Its graduates have career opportunities in branding and corporate identity, advertising, web design, motion graphics, interface design, package design, mobile interactive design, digital product design, exhibit design, print and publication design, and more.

In thanking her parents and teachers, Izzy said: “I’m just so thankful for all the things I’ve been able to do with art, from working on sets to designing T-shirts. I’ve loved it all.”

Ms. Gray concluded the ceremony by affirming her fine arts students – and their parents: “Whether you’ve been performing on stage or working backstage, playing in the pit orchestra or creating in art class, it’s been so fun to watch you grow.”