It seems Boston's theater scene is getting a fresh jolt of youthful creativity this week, as students from Natick's Walnut Hill School for the Arts prep the stage for a series of performances that promise to marry old-school British farce with an updated, enlightened take on the genre. According to a CBS News Boston report, the students will perform Sandy Rustin's "The Cottage," a whimsical comedy that's set to unfold at the Calderwood Pavilion in the South End.
Head of School Eric Barber laid out the school's ethos, and it's pretty clear that they're playing the long game here, "We value the process over the product. We value the characters of our students offstage more than onstage, the characters that they play. But we also value community over competition," he told CBS News Boston. Prepare to watch these youngsters embrace the absurd in "The Cottage," which follows an impetuous love declaration turned-chaotic amidst a pileup of unexpected visitors and comedic misunderstandings. The play, we've established, twists classic farce with a contemporary touch - giving its female characters a refreshing dose of agency and audacity.
Walnut Hill isn't shy about its goal to give these talents as broad a platform as possible. "We're reaching this whole other network of people. I've been doing theater my whole life and I don't think I have ever been in an environment that cultivates and fosters such a positive energy for each other and that's so focused on the support and growth of each other throughout rehearsal processes and in class," senior theater major, Georgia Attardi, expressed in an interview with CBS News Boston.
But let's not forget the school's international appeal – it's a veritable creative potpourri with students hailing from 20 countries and 28 states. Getting into Walnut Hill might be akin to striking the jackpot for these artistic souls, what with a competitive admission process that prioritizes potential and passion. "Many of our kids were misunderstood in their prior school. They outgrew their school. Art is their superpower," Barber outlined in the CBS News Boston interview, "and when they find us and they come and they find kids that are equally driven and talented and smart and compassionate, they completely transform. So we really change kids' lives."
For those itching to catch a glimpse of these burgeoning stars in comedic action, "The Cottage" is slated to hit the stage this Friday, with a follow-up double-feature performance on Valentine's Day. Those interested in attending can snag tickets at the Walnut Hill website. And if you're concerned about the price of admission, take heart – Walnut Hill is tuned into the realistic financial frequencies of the real world, providing over 40 percent of its students with some type of financial aid.
