We're pleased to announce Besant Hill Radio, a new student-run Internet radio station that will broadcast music, talk, interviews, classroom activities, sports and special events. We're in the process of building our programming, but when the schedule is open listeners can still tune in to listen to music from the growing BHS music library. In the future, we also hope to add an FM broadcast for the Ojai area. To tune in, visit http://radio.besanthill.org -- there you'll find listening instructions and the schedule. You can also tune in using your smartphone - so you don't have to be tethered to your computer!
Modified: 2010-01-19 03:49 PM
Summer 2010 Aun Aprendo available!
Please click here to download the Summer issue of Aun Aprendo, the BHS monthly newsletter!
Modified: 2010-09-02 05:54 PM
BHS Student Art Exhibition at Beatrice Wood Center
What might appear at the beginning as chaos, contains a myriad of possibilities percolating coherence. “Chaologists” from Besant Hill School’s advanced Visual Art class exhibit the ArtArtAAArt-ifacts of their explorations into planned reckless abandon. Students began by creating situations where they had minimal control over the application of the first layer of paint. These chaotic beginnings inspired bold expeditions into the uncertain world of intuitive creativity, opening new pathways in their imaginations. This exhibition highlights the work of Griffin Davis, Julie Yu, Yue Yu, Pil-Jae Choi, Isabell Hong, and Ashley (Chih-Jo) Lui, under the guidance of instructor Lucia Vinograd.
“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” -R.I. Fitzhenry
In the aftermath of their outstanding 2010 season, three players and the head coach of the BHS boys basketball team were recognized this week by the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (SCIBCA). Seniors Ivan Matip and Yannick Atanga were named California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIFSS) boys co-players of the year for their division, while head coach Randy Bertin was named coach of the year and senior Aaron Bennet earned a spot on the division's second team. The honors come after the BHS boys team finished a 28-3 season in which they won their second straight CIFSS title. Congratulations!
Modified: 2010-03-31 12:11 PM
2nd Annual Schools Going Green Conference
The second annual regional Schools Going Green Conference is taking place at BHS on January 23, 2010. This year's conference, with a theme of "Sustaining Sustainability," is an opportunity for students to hear from and meet resources that are actively working to inspire and generate sustainable solutions. Students and faculty from the Southern California region will come together at the BHS campus to share and appreciate our diverse sustainability programs and approaches and enhance the spirit of collaboration. Click here for details.
Modified: 2010-01-15 12:35 PM
Glass Menagerie Review
SMOOTH AS GLASS
by Kathryn O'Loughlin
This is a visceral production of Tennessee William’s The Glass Menagerie. The story is set in times much like our own with shattered families and dust bowl prospects. The characters twist and turn in a failed economy, and despite the palpable love between them, cannot escape their fates. Director Scott Campbell is playing all the major keys flawlessly but also, more importantly, the shifting minor keys that illuminate the haunting beauty of each character and the cruel trap that is their lives.
Betsy Randall is a revelation. This is not the mother we are familiar with from Boy Meets World or Home Imporvement. Under her shimmering and mesmerizing charm, beats the heart of a mother who loves her children deeply yet cannot direct them. However, she is far from the impervious “smother”: she is playing her cards as best she can, with verve and tenacity, but she is holding the wrong cards in the wrong time and her failure is heartbreaking. Randle‘s characterization is like watching light play on a beautiful tapestry; the whispering pastels skitter across this Amanda’s grace only to reveal the deeply saturated primary hue and cry inside.
Alex Neher is also not the apple cheeked crowing rooster of last season’s Chantecler. His is a world weary Tom with the pallor of a prisoner. He is at the end of the rope that is strangling him with frustration and claustrophobia yet his love for his sister and, yes, his mother is just as apparent as his desire to escape them. He tackles the poetry that is Tennessee Williams’s script with the precision of an ice pick – sometimes chiseling delicately, sometimes stabbing in heartless self-defense.
Brett Baxter is as well not the saucy coquette of Chanticleer and this season’s Playwrights Festival. Hers is a quiet, ethereal Laura who drifts painfully through a world that is too loud, too bright, too overwhelming. Her moments of beauty and warmth in the second act only underscore her self-imposed seclusion. I believe Tennessee Williams once used the words “A garden enclosed is my sister” from the Songs of Solomon to describe his sister Rose upon whom the character of Laura is based. It is his and his characters’ tender treatment of Rose/Laura that is so touching and so ahead of its time. The phrase “Nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands” (E.E. Cummings) aptly introduces the 1949 New Classics edition of the play. Ms. Baxter has such hands.
Dan Grosbach, as the all important gentleman caller, is a fine and gentle man in the best sense of the word. His brings a deep but gracious masculinity to the role. His sensual alto voice and seductive sensitivity towards Laura make us hope against hope that just this once …
Why should we visit this play again and again? Because Tennessee Williams is a master poet and playwright who treats his subjects with such delicacy and depth and artistry of words that it is impossible to imagine a life in the theater without him. And what has luckily become the Besant Hill team of producers, Sandi Mikkelson and Alex Key, and set design, Scott Campbell, and lighting, Alex Neher, and costumes by Maddie Mikkelson, and actors and director, Scott Campbell, have again achieved a melding of truth and magic that becomes living, breathing, soaring theatre.
BESANT HILL SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF THE GLASS MENAGERIE GEARING UP Combined Efforts of Students, Staff and Guest Artist Betsy Randle Move Production Along
OJAI, CA – In a production that is dominated by students in technical positions and stage roles alike, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is moving forward with their dynamic performance of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. In addition to the behind the scenes and onstage positions being filled by BHS students, the school is also fortunate enough to welcome guest artist Betsy Randle to the stage in the role of Amanda.
“I am loving the life that is happening on stage with Alex, Brett and Dan,” said Randle. “We are so lucky to play in Tennessee William’s world, and Scott understands that we must explore it honestly. I am learning so much, and this is a great opportunity for these young actors to sink their teeth into such amazing writing.”
Best known for her work on the popular TV series Boy Meets World and Home Improvement, Randle currently lives in Ojai. Joining Randle onstage are BHS students Alex Neher as “Tom,” Brett Baxter as “Laura,” and Dan Grosbach as “Jim.” Behind the scenes, Neher will be in charge of lighting, while fellow BHS students Madeline Mikkelson and Victoria Pollock will be designing the costumes and handling the film directing, respectively. Producer Sandi Mikkelson will be joined by BHS student Alex Key as Associate Producer. The show is being directed by BHS Director of Theater Scott Campbell.
“It's a wonderful piece for our designers to tackle, both student and pro,” said Campbell. “Tennessee Williams was way ahead of his time, and was very creative in the way he wanted this story told. He asks for lights and sound and song, live solitary music and expressionistic touches to the set. So we've agreed to give him those things.”
BHS will bring the show to the stage for three nights, November 12, 13 and 14, at 8:00 p.m. each night. The production will take place at the Zalk theater on the Besant Hill School of Happy Valley campus, located in Upper Ojai just past the Dennison Grade.
Screening at the Zalk Theater of an episode of the PBS program Art:21, followed by a panel discussion; moderated by Kevin Wallace, Director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, featuring Besant Hill School visual arts instructor Lucia Vinograd and Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, an internationally known artist and chair of the Ojai Arts Commission.
Art:21 presents a diverse group of artists working in America today to enlarge the definitions and comprehension of contemporary art. By making contemporary art more accessible, the series affords viewers and students the opportunity to discover their own innate abilities to understand contemporary art and to explore possibilities for creative thinking and self-expression.
Art:21 Educators is a year-long professional development initiative designed to cultivate and support K-12 art educators interested in bringing contemporary art, artists, and themes into their classrooms. This year the Besant Hill School has been selected as one of three schools in the country to be part of this program. Over the summer, Lucia Vinograd traveled to New York City for a 5-day workshop where she worked with Art:21 staff, visiting artists, and guest presenters to develop a familiarity with contemporary art and artists as well as learn strategies for integrating related themes and working processes into the classroom. She has returned with units of study for the subsequent academic year and will be using Art:21 films and educational materials along with museum and studio visits as part of the program. Art:21 documents teacher participation and related classroom teaching in an effort to record and share best practices with other educators.
We hope that you might attend this event and learn more about this exciting program and discover how the Besant Hill School and the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts are utilizing the arts to further the mission of the Happy Valley Foundation.
Modified: 2009-10-22 03:39 PM
BHS FAMILY WEEKEND!
Dear families,
Please join us for a weekend of fun on the Besant Hill School campus for Family Weekend on Friday, October 23 and Saturday October 24. Register HERE or call the office at 805-646-4343.
Aun Aprendo, the magazine of Besant Hill School of Happy Valley, is going green and is now available by clicking here! As part of Besant Hill School's ongoing work to improve our sustainability efforts, the Fall 2009 edition of Aun Aprendo is located online at www.besanthill.org/Aun_Aprendo. The Fall 2009 edition of Aun Aprendo contains:
A welcome from Head of School Paul Amadio;
Messages from the Dean of Students and the Dean of Academics;
Highlights of Besant Hill's Arts, Sustainability, Athletics, Experiential Learning and Outdoor Education Programs;
Interviews with guest artists that collaborated with Besant Hill students and designed the school logo;
Graduation and college acceptance recaps;
Alumni news and notes;
Upcoming campus activity;
And more!
Check out the Fall 2009 edition of Aun Aprendo - and see what is going on at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley!
Modified: 2009-09-03 06:33 PM
Standardized Stupidification Reception
"Standardized Stupidification," a collaborative installation by Besant Hill School arts students, under the direction of Lucia Vinograd, and artist Robbie Conal was a success at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. The student installation was presented alongside Conal's guerilla art and posters. Besant Hill is a boarding school and day school for students grade 9-12.
Student artists: Grace Garlough, Griffin Davis, Rick Meredith, Connor Jones, Indigo Partch, and Yue Yu.
"Standardized Stupidification" is a commentary on standardized testing and its implications in forcing the hands of educators toward a standardized curriculum, a force that can eclipse diversity, imagination and creativity. Students are lost to themselves in the struggle to fit into a cultural standard. They rebel to have their voice heard above the masses. The exhibition celebrates the arts and its expression of the "madness" of our world as we hand it over to our children.
Modified: 2009-07-09 12:44 PM
Congratulations Class of 2009
The Class of 2009 graduated on May 30, 2009 with a beautiful commencement ceremony held at Besant Hill School. Each graduate had an opportunity to speak as they received their diplomas. The ceremony was followed by a reception lunch on the lawn. See slideshow.
The Class of 2009:
Natalie
Amadio
Brendan
Beaghler
Jane
Braunheim
Chase
Caine
Po-Hsi
Chen
Todd
Coates II
Colton
Coburn-Wood
Elizabeth
Cornwell
Luke
Cromwell
Yuan
Cui
Luka
Dixon
Kuan Wen
Fang
Grace
Garlough
Gareth
Jones
Jean
Kim
Aissata
Koralik-Toure
Vickie
Laliberté
Li-Yang
Lai
Seung Joon
Lee
Jonathan
Lindsey
Erin
O'Loughlin
Ryo
Okada
Indigo
Partch
Lily
Peters-Passell
Zachary
Pease
Andrew
Peterson
Alexis
Poole
Hae Ryung
Ra
Evan
Reiner
David
Sincavage III
Maya
Smitrovich
Emily
Thelander
Besant Hill is a Boading School and Day School for grades 9-12
Modified: 2009-07-09 12:45 PM
Upcoming Exhibition - Save the Date!
Upcoming Exhibition:
"Standardized Stupidification"
Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
from 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Greetings from Happy Valley!
I'm writing to invite you to a special event at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. One of the joys of running the Center is the relationship with the Besant Hill School, where students learn "how to think, not what to think," and fully explore their intellectual and creative abilities. It is a private high school with a strong arts focus and we enjoy involving the students in our activities and workshops with artists.
On Saturday, May 16th, "Standardized Stupidification," a collaborative installation by Besant Hill School students, under the direction of Lucia Vinograd, and artist Robbie Conal will open at the Center. The student installation will be presented alongside Conal's guerilla art and posters.
Please attend the opening reception from 6 - 9 pm to view this exhibition and meet Robbie and the student artists: Grace Garlough, Griffin Davis, Rick Meredith, Connor Jones, Indigo Partch, and Yue Yu. The exhibition will be on display through May 30th.
"Standardized Stupidification" is a commentary on standardized testing and its implications in forcing the hands of educators toward a standardized curriculum, a force that can eclipse diversity, imagination and creativity. Students are lost to themselves in the struggle to fit into a cultural standard. They rebel to have their voice heard above the masses. The exhibition celebrates the arts and its expression of the "madness" of our world as we hand it over to our children.
The hermit said: "Because the world is mad, The only way through the world is to learn The arts and double the madness."
~ Robert Bly
Watching, Waiting, Dreaming by Robbie Conal
Robbie Conal is an American guerilla poster artist best known for gluing disturbing gnarled depictions of political figures to fixtures in the urban landscape. Bringing out the inner ugliness of his often morally bankrupt subjects, his posters usually include a portrait, and a slogan or one-liner of outrageous sociopolitical commentary. The posters are stealthily placed by Conal and his "volunteer guerrilla postering army," throughout public space in Los Angeles and beyond.
Robbie's art is "outrageous, unsparing, and constitutes a welcome offering to the struggles of Americans against war and injustice . . . his art is therefore to be celebrated by all who see the marriage of art and politics as playing a vital role in the movement toward a just society."
~ Howard Zinn
************************
"My paintings are intended as satirical counter-infotainment. If they tickle people into thinking along with me about social and political issues, I'm a happy man."
~ Robbie Conal
As many of you are not able to attend our exhibitions, we always present them online with photographs and videos. We are creating a short documentary film of the students working with Robbie Conal and the resulting exhibition.
Standardized Stupidification, a collaborative installation by Besant Hill School visual arts students and controversial political artist Robbie Conal.
WHEN:
Opening Reception, Saturday, May 16th, 6 - 9 pm.
The public is invited to attend.
The exhibition will continue through May 30th.
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Modified: 2009-05-11 01:11 PM
Join us April 25th for Spring Arts!
Please Join us for our annual Spring Arts Festival on April 25th, 2009. The day is a scheduled with exciting events, workshops, a live and dessert auction, and ongoing performances, highlighted by the main stage production of Chantecler and special performances from our Jazz Quartet and the incomparable Julie Christensen.
This is traditionally among the best days of our year, so we want you to be part of it... Please join us for ALL of it, or as much of it as you can. The total cost is all inclusive and covers, dinner and wine reception (adults only) and a reserved seat for Chantecler. What a deal!
All BHS and prospective students will have a teenage only dinner on campus.
Feel free to call if you have questions.
We can't think of anything better than sharing a day in the beautiful green of Besant Hill of Happy Valley with a celebration of our land and the arts.
Please join us!
Online reservations are now closed. Please call the office at 805-646-4343 ext. 100 or register at 1:00pm day of event.
Modified: 2009-04-24 06:18 PM
Basketball wins CIF-SS Championship!
Besant Hill beat Hope Centre Academy on Friday, March 6th at 6:30pm in the CIF-SS Divisions VIA Championships 74-63 to secure the first CIF-SS title in school history!
Also, please check out a recent article in the LA Times and Ventura County Star about the win at the links below:
Awesome Art 2009 showcasing art by Ojai Valley students from Nordhoff High School, Thacher School, Besant Hill School, Ojai Valley School, Villanova Preparatory School and Oak Grove School, has become an annual Ojai Valley Museum tradition. The display will be showcased at the museum until April 5th.
An awards reception was held last night, February 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. At 5 pm awards were presented for Best of Show, Best of Category and Honorable Mention in the categories of ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, digital art and graphic design. Besant Hill Students took several awards from the show:
Griffin Davis, '10 received best in show for his fan sculpture. Rick Ra, '09 received first place in drawing. Julie Yu, '10 received second place in drawing. Griffin Davis also received first place in mixed media. Grace Garlough, '09 received second place in mixed media. Luka Dixon, '11 received first place in photography. Dunya Dixon, '09 received first place in ceramics.
Congratulations to our students for their wonderful artwork!
Modified: 2009-02-20 02:28 PM
Basketball Playoff Schedule
Besant Hill School's Varsity Basketball team will play its first playoff game vs. Shalhevet School on Saturday, February 21 at 8:30 pm. The game will be played at the Thacher School Gymnasium. General Admission tickets will be sold at the door as required by the CIF - Southern Section. The price of admission for students with an I.D. and children are $5.00, adults $8.00.
If you cannot attend the game please visit the link below to watch a live stream of the action!
Besant Hill Students joined communities around the world on January 26th as the entire school Celebrated Chinese New Year, and the beginning of the Year of the Ox. In Chinese culture, the Ox symbolizes wealth and success attained through perseverance and hard work. Chinese New Year is traditionally celebrated with parades, dragon dances, family dinners and fireworks.
Our school celebrated the day with a parade of the faculty hoisting a traditional Chinese Dragon and carrying traditional Chinese instruments, an all school assembly with presentations from Chinese students on Chinese History and Culture, and several workshops led by our Chinese and Taiwanese students in various subjects including Kitemaking, Chinese Calligraphy, Knotting, History and more!
The day culminated with a delicious Asian dinner and a Chinese made movie in the evening. All told the day was a resounding success and a chance for all to celebrate Chinese heritage and culture!
Modified: 2009-02-04 02:40 PM
Record Numbers Attend Open House
Besant Hill opened its doors to the public on Monday, January 19th as it once again held it's Annual Admissions Open House - a celebration of the School’s potential applicants and their families who were visiting the school. 33 families from around the world participated and a record number of 77 visitors came through the Besant Hill campus.
Guests were drawn from many countries and states, and included visitors from the UK, Japan, Canada, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona and Illinois!
Visitors got the opportunity to learn about the school while experiencing a typical day in the life of a Besant Hill student.
Head of School, Paul Amadio, said, “The people I spoke with seemed committed to finding a school that thinks outside of the traditional College Prep box. They had done their homework and it was great to see the diversity of visiting students”.
Students also had the opportunity to interview with a member of the admission office as part of the day. All told, 21 students were interviewed.
The application deadline for Fall 2009 is February 22.
Modified: 2009-02-03 04:32 PM
Besant Hill Basketball Victorious
Ivan Matip scored 39, including seven 3-pointers and grabbed 10 rebounds as Besant Hill was victorious 74-65 vs. Fairmont Preparatory School (Anaheim, CA). The win was in the champoionship game of the 3rd Annual Huskie Invitational held at Fairmont Preparatory Academy in Anaheim. Matip was selcted as the tournament MVP as he averaged 27.3 points per game, leading the way for Besant Hill. Yannick Atanga and Francois Tchoyi were selcted to the all-tournament team for the coyotes. Atanga averaged 18 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while Tchoyi averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game for the tournament. The coyotes end this part of the season at 9-1 and resume play on January 14th vs. Laguna Blanca School. The game is at 6:30 pm at the Thacher School Gym.
On a side note, Besant Hill played Buena Park High School in the semi-finals to make it’s way to the championship game on Saturday. Buena Park is a school of almost Three Thousand Students! The final score was Besant Hill 75 Buena Park 66. Go Coyotes!
Besant Hill Varsity Basketball after winning the Fairmont Tourney Championship.
Besant Hill Junior, Yannick Atanga presents the victory to Head of School Paul Amadio in creative fashion!
Modified: 2008-12-22 03:59 PM
Admissions Open House 1/19/09
Besant Hill School will hold it's annual Open House on Monday, January 19, 2009. Families interested in BHS are encouraged to attend the Open House for an intimate look into the daily life of the school. You will have the opportunity to meet faculty and administrators, attend our all school assembly honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., and visit classes in session. Interview slots available. Reservations required.
Besant Hill School Open House Monday, January 19, 2009 9:00am-3:00pm
Fall 2009 Application deadline is February 22, 2009. Please call us if you have any questions.
Modified: 2009-01-18 02:11 PM
Besant Hill School Inaugurates the Actors Festival
On Saturday, December 13th, the first annual Actors Festival will be held at Besant Hill School in Upper Ojai. The festival, sponsored by the Angel Heart Foundation, is for high school performing arts students in Ventura County. Young actors will participate in a number of festival categories, including monologues, scenes, 10-minute plays, musical theatre and student directed works. The day-long event will conclude with a presentation of the best of festival performances and a symposium on the acting business from professionals in the entertainment business.
Marion Witte, founder of the Angel Heart foundation, is a recent arrival to Ventura County. This tireless and generous supporter of the arts set out to make a difference, and that she has done. In less than a year, Ms. Witte has sponsored several creative arts programs for the area, including the Rubicon Theater's outreach program, The Ojai Playwright Conference Youth Workshop, and Theater 150's Children's Theater program. For Marion, it was a matter of a clear vision and goal: to support the youth of the area through performing arts and theater.
"We live in a world where our youth are bombarded with a daily dose of fear and negativity," said Ms. Witte recently. "Now, more than ever, it is our responsibility as adults to counteract this by offering encouragement, instilling hope for the future and assisting the next generation in turning their dreams into reality. Events such as the Actors Festival at Besant Hill provide such an opportunity."
"It's a great project for us to host," explained Scott Campbell, Director of Theater at Besant Hill School. "Providing an opportunity for students to meet and discuss their dreams is inspiring, and we feel very fortunate to have the support of Marion and the Angel Heart Foundation."
Besant Hill School, under the leadership of its new head of school, Paul Amadio, is experiencing a renaissance in the performing arts. Recently, the Happy Valley Foundation has established the Franklin and Gladys Lacey annual grant for the purpose of supporting the Performing Arts of Besant Hill School for community building, scholarships, and school enrichment through the creative arts. Within its modern facility, the Zalk Theater, the school now hosts several annual events including the Ojai Playwrights Conference and the Beato Fest.
"We believe that opportunites to explore creativity is an integral part of a young person's education and is an essentail skill for tomorrow's leaders," said Mr. Amadio recently. "We believe that our school has the right mission and a responsibility to allow young people the programs to explore their creative sides and express new ideas and we'd like to see the Actors Festival join the list of other top notch festivals in the area. If we can support a music, film, playwright, and artist's festival, then I believe we can support a festival for the young actors of the area as well."
Modified: 2008-12-02 01:24 PM
Personality Plus!
Head of School Paul Amadio is the featured personality in this month's Ventana Monthly, a regional magazine that covers Ventura County. "I was surprised when the editor called, but when he explained that he had heard that BHS celebrates creativity and had heard that we were doing exciting things, it was hard to say NO."
We agree and hopefully you will too! Read the entire article online by clicking on the link below.Personality
Modified: 2008-10-14 05:21 PM
Family Weekend is around the Corner!
Family Weekend at Besant Hill School will be Friday, October 24 and Saturday October 25. Please join us for a weekend of fun on the Besant Hill School campus.
Through out its history Besant Hill of Happy Valley has flourished on the goodwill and devotion of people who shared their extraordinary talents with the school.
The climate in which Besant Hill of Happy Valley was founded over eighty years ago by Annie Besant is as vital today as it was in her time and she would have rejoiced to see her dream of a community of educators, artists and creative energy thriving here.
Beatrice Wood bequeathed her home and ceramics to establish the Center for the Arts.
Lili Kraus, the world-renowned pianist spent months of many years here teaching master classes and her musical inspiration still resonates today.
Franklin Lacey, whose potential was recognized by Annie Besant when he was only seven years old, brought his dramatic talents to the Besant Hill School of Happy Valley during the 1950s, became Director of the school and also served as trustee on the foundation for 27 years. Out of this association, Franklin developed a close friendship with one of the school’s founders, Aldous Huxley, that led to Franklin adapting Huxley’s Brave New World as a musical that Huxley greatly admired and is now in pre-production. In the midst of all this Franklin Lacey was collaborating with Meredith Willson on The Music Man, which was to become a phenomenal theatrical success of as yet undiminished popularity.
Franklin’s widow Gladys had the wisdom and generosity to secure for us the Lacey’s rights in The Music Man. The Happy Valley Foundation has established the Franklin and Gladys Lacey annual grant for the purpose of supporting the Performing Arts of Besant Hill School for community building, scholarships, and school enrichment through the creative arts. If The Music Man maintains its success rate of the past 50 years it is not unreasonable to hope for funding of over $50,000. per year.
The Franklin and Gladys Lacey Grant allows BHS to continue its collaboration with exceptional guest artists such as screenwriter, Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas), producer, Steve Nicolaides (A Few Good Men, Princess Bride, School of Rock, When Harry Met Sally, Beverly Hills Chihuahua), filmmakers and screenwriters, Ray Singer and Eugenia Bostwick-Singer (Mulan, Lion King 1 ½), art director, Matt Jacobs (Terminator, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes, Without A Trace), actors John Diehl, (Miami Vice, Jurassic Park III, The Shield) and Peter Fox (Airport 77, Knots Landing, The Waltons), among others, as part of Besant Hill's Guest Artists Series.
Modified: 2008-10-16 02:13 PM
Besant Hill of Happy Valley Guest Artist Series
Screenwriter for Edward Scissorhands and Producer of School of Rock to collaborate with BHS Students!
Caroline Thompson, preeminent screenwriter with such hits as EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, CORPSE BRIDE, and NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, will be collaborating with a group of Besant Hill students in adapting Edmond Rostand's play, CHANTECLER, for the spring theatrical production in the school's very own Zalk Theater.
Ms. Thompson will adapt this rarely done work from the author of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, taking this tale of a rooster and setting it in a modern day chicken factory, where a story of love, pride and purpose play out against the backdrop of the hardship. The production will also feature music, dance, masks, and aerial dance.
Ms. Thompson will be joined by partner Steve Nikolaides, producer of such hits as STAND BY ME, PRINCESS BRIDE, BOYZ 'N THE HOOD and many others, who will serve as producer for the project, working with a group of BHS students as well in developing the project.
Modified: 2008-10-07 01:06 PM
Coyote Runners Bring Home Prizes
Colton, Sashi and Cross Country Coach, Amy McCann pose at the 10K Ojai Open Invitational. Colton was 1st in his age group and 2nd overall, Sashi was 6th overall and Amy finished 2nd in the Women's Division. Congratulations Coyote Runners!!!!!
Modified: 2008-10-07 07:06 PM
Besant Hill School opens with Record Enrollment
Besant Hill School began it’s 62nd school year on September 5th with it’s largest enrollment ever, making this the third straight year of opening day record enrollment.
The college prep program, had an opening day enrollment of 76 on the first day of school in the fall of 2005 is starting this year with the largest freshman class in it’s history and a total opening day enrollment of 103, also, the largest in the school’s existence. 6 new faculty and staff members were welcomed along with the new students this fall.
Paul Amadio, Head of School commented, “There is no question that the founder’s [of the school] were ahead of their time in their vision of a college prep academic program within a community that places high value on creative expression.” Amadio continued, “The old model of one teacher, one textbook and learning to get high SAT scores are gone, gone, gone. The future belongs to young people who are taught how to think not what to think, and who are creative and divergent in their thinking, who know and understand big picture concepts, are empathetic and appreciate experiences of an international population. At Besant Hill we do that.”
Structural changes and improvements over the summer included preparing for a spring groundbreaking ceremony to begin the new Beato Atelier (a new art studio named in honor of famed ceramicist Beatrice Wood), a new Student Center, additions of more than $100,000 in improvements to the Zalk Theater, and a gift for a new Solar Roller, which is a mobile renewable energy source powered by a solar array.
Modified: 2008-10-17 06:14 PM
Actors Festival
The Actors Festival is coming December 13, 2008! The web page is currently under construction. It should be completed, with online applications available, the week of September 22nd. If you have any questions before then, please feel free to write us at actorsfestival@besanthill.org.
Modified: 2008-09-09 01:58 AM
Ojai Playwrights Conference at BHS!
AUGUST 3-10, 2008 at Besant Hill School
THE OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE is a developmental program that values the reading and workshop process as an important avenue through which playwrights can more fully realize their intentions with a play. Ours is a conference centered around playwrights and their new plays. We believe the theatre can be a vital and essential forum for the exchange of new and challenging ideas about the world in which we live. We seek out plays and playwrights who share this vision.
Please visit the OPC website for more information and to order tickets. Don't miss this amazing opportunity!
A group of ten students and two faculty leaders will journey to Cairo, Egypt for 15 days.The group will be hosted by Desert’s Edge, Cairo, an alternative education school for ex-patriot and refugee students in Cairo.The students will have a dormitory house with kitchen facilities and a swimming pool at their disposal.During their stay in Cairo, we will work on several service projects, which may include working with an orphanage, assisting a farmer, working with animals, or distributing books to children in local communities via the Donkey Library. The students will endeavor to increase their understanding of Western media bias in it's treatment of the Middle East and the Muslim culture by immersing themselves in Cairo's diverse community. Additionally, they will be looking at ancient and modern Egyptian history, culture and religious life.Students will have several excursion days, which will include: a trip to the Giza pyramids/sphinx, the Cairo museum, old Cairo's open air market, other ancient temples, and horse back riding in the desert.
The Besant Hill class of 2008 celebrated their graduation on June 6th at 10:00 a.m. on the school green at the commons. This year's graduation speaker was Assistant Head of School and Academic Dean Louis O'Prussack. Head of School Paul Amadio led the event telling the class in his remarks, "Whatever you do, live life big."
Mr. O'Prussack has been at Besant Hill for 17 years and served as Assistant Head for the past four. He leaves the school to embark on a new adventure as Director of an independent school in Washington state. In his talk he encouraged the class to be global citizens with the reminder that, "education cannot truly happen unless it incorporates environmental education at all levels of instruction."
The commencement activities began on Thursday, June 5th, with the Seniors returning from the annual Senior Retreat, Commendations Lunch, and the Graduation rehearsal.
Modified: 2008-06-13 02:39 PM
Spring Music Concert
The last talent show of the year was held this past Saturday evening and brought dozens of the school’s musicians and singers to the stage of the Zalk Theater at Besant Hill. The program featured a variety of talented instrumentalists and vocalists who performed various numbers, as the night was a showcase of what each music class was working on over the past semester.
Among the performances was the exemplary guitar adaptation of Bach’s “Bouree” and also a first timer to the stage, who presented a lovely performance of“Killing Me Softly”.
The evening began with the drum-line waking up the audience and then supplying live music for the modern dance class to perform. The concert was then rounded out by music from Elvis, Sara Bareilles, Sinatra, Eric Clapton and even a piece from an Italian Opera!
After intermission, Music Ensemble I played the, “Triplets of Belville”, followed by a rousing group of performances with the finale being Advanced Band’s “New Soul.”
Overall the evening was a fantastic display of the variety of musical talents here at Besant Hill School.
Modified: 2008-06-03 11:54 AM
Besant Hill Prom 2008
Last Saturday night (May 24th) Besant Hill Students gathered for this year's prom with the theme, "Alice in Wonderland." The event featured an evening of music, arts, dancing, games (including a poker tournament), a bounce house and lavish amounts of gourmet food. Nearly 100% of the school attended and the night was dubbed as the best prom in recent history. Besides dancing the prom also featured a professional belly-dancer who performed and entertained and then invited the attendees to join her in dancing to the middle-eastern music and fun. Overall, it was a great event that will be remembered by all, especially our departing seniors.
Modified: 2008-06-03 12:31 PM
Ojai's Alive Arts Festival @ The Farmer & the Cook
Click here to see Besant Hill School featured on Google Apps Profile.
Modified: 2008-03-31 01:32 PM
Richard Lyons in Concert 3-2-08
Sunday, March 2, 2008- 7:00pm
Richard Lyons & Friends
Peter Bellwood, Candace Delbo, Ken Delbo, Jack Joshua, Mark Parson, Betsy Randle, Lee Rollag & J.B. White
Tickets $15- Order online or call 805-646-4343 ext. 342.
Modified: 2008-05-28 02:43 PM
BHS Drama Production- THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH
Besant Hill School Drama Department presents
Edward Albee's THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH January 10th, 11th, 12th 8:00 pm Curtain
Directed by Scott Campbell
*Admission is Free (donations accepted for Katrina Relief agency - Common Ground)
BHS Drama Department winter production looks into one of the country's most shameful chapters, in a powerful one-act penned by one of America's preeminent playwrights.
In the fall of 1937, the blues world lost one of its most potent voices. Bessie Smith, the queen of blues, died in a tragic car accident just outside Memphis, Tennessee. Conflicting versions of what happened that night swirled about for many years following her death. In 1959, an up-and-coming playwright named Edward Albee chose that fateful night as the subject for his second play.
But of course, Albee doesn't just give us details of only Bessie's story . Instead, Albee digs deep into the core of the old, crumbling south through the tangled and steamy relationship of a young, ambitious medical intern and a nurse whose worn out lineage still lashes with authority.
Ojai blues legend April Hendrix channels Bessie's spirit through her own soulful sound, which echoes throughout this taut story of racism and romanticism. Mr. Albee once again proves his gift for scraping through the veneer of life, and exposing the complicated motives that drive human beings to behave in less than human ways.
Modified: 2007-12-17 06:01 PM
BHS attends Bioneers Conference
This weekend 4 students and 2 teachers from Besant Hill School will attend the 18th annual Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA.
"What is Bioneers?" Bioneers is a forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework.
To read stories of how Bioneers has inspired others, click here. For more information on Bioneers, please visit the Bioneers website.
Modified: 2007-10-17 01:02 AM
10-26-07 BHS Family Weekend
Family and Guardians of BHS students, Please join us for Family Weekend on Friday, 10/26 and Saturday 10/27. Click here for invitation/schedule of events or see below.
Schedule:
Friday 10/26 4pm Parent Reception at Besant House 6pm Dinner in Dining Hall 7pm Variety Show #1- Zalk Theater (student attendance mandatory)
Saturday 10/27 7:30-9am Continental Breakfast by the Gazebo 9am Parent Meeting & Class schedules- Zalk Theater 9:30-11am Visit classes 11am Faculty/Parent Tea "On the Green" 11:30am-1pm Visit classes 12pm Girl's Volleyball @ OVS 1pm Lunch on Lawn 2-4pm Individual conferences with faculty by appt. (sign up in the morning) 7pm Roedelius Concert- Zalk Theater
Featuring Hans-Joachim Roedelius with special guests Molly Zenobia and Robert S. Hilton. Saturday, October 27th at 7:00 pm Zalk Theatre, Besant Hill School, Upper Ojai Tickets: $15.00 in advance, $18.00 at the door. Available now through the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts (805) 646-3381 or visit Beatrice Wood website for more information.
Modified: 2007-10-17 01:16 AM
9/9/07 Nathan McEuen CD Release Party
Come join us on Sunday, September 9th at 7pm for an outstanding concert featuring Nathan McEuen. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 if you reserve your tickets on our event registration page! A copy of Nathan's new CD is included in the price of admission.
The concert will be held at the Zalk Theater located at 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road on the Besant Hill School campus. (Formerly Happy Valley School.) This 150 seat theater has great seating that provides an intimate experience. There's not a bad seat in the house and the new sound system is amazing. This is a "not to miss" concert! See you there!
Modified: 2007-08-14 04:14 PM
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
OJAI (CA): The Board of Trustees of the Happy Valley Foundation in Ojai, California announced today that effective July 1, 2007 the school would change its name. In a vote, The Board of Trustees selected the name, "Besant Hill School of Happy Valley," although it will be referred to as just Besant Hill School in most circumstances.
We welcome friends and family of the Besant Hill School community to join us for the 2007 Commencement ceremony on Friday, June 1 at 10:00am. The ceremony will take place on campus and will be followed by a reception.
Please contact us for more information at 805-646-4343 ext. 111.
Modified: 2007-05-28 11:48 PM
5/26/07 BHS Spring Concert
Besant Hill School's music department is proud to present the Spring Concert on Saturday, May 26 at 7pm- the final performance of the year! Each music class will perform the songs they've learned. Songs are selected by the students and teachers. It will be a full house, so come and get your seat. Admission is free.
Modified: 2007-05-16 03:51 PM
5/6/07- Benefit Concert w/Dr. Surf & Guest- 7pm
Besant Hill School's benefit concert series presents Dr. Surf and guests Grupo Chugumite at 7:00pm in the Zalk Theater. Come and dance to the rhythms of Veracruz. The proceeds of this concert benefit the arts programs at HVS.
Tickets $5 at the door. Cantaloupe included!
Modified: 2007-05-06 11:34 AM
BHS Drama Production- SUMMER EVENING IN DES MOINES
Besant Hill School Drama invites you to an evening of outrageous American amusement in Happy Land! The Happiest Place in the Universe!!!
HVS Drama Proudly presents SUMMER EVENING IN DES MOINES, a comedy in the land of corn and falling stars. Written by Charles L. Mee. Directed by Scott Campbell. Musical Director- Rory Stalwick. Costume Design- Theda De Ramus. Let us take you on a ride through the heartland of America, a no-man's-land of modern day mercurial madness! A millennial journey through the nuclear family at the speed of light! Performances April 5,6,7 & 12,13,14
8:00 p.m.
Adults: $10
Students: $5, or pay what you can
Rated PG-13- Some language, adult content
“A celebration of the arts at Besant Hill School!” You’re invited to join us on Saturday, April 14th for a great day of fun, food, and entertainment. The day will include a Benefit Concert by THE HOUSEHOLD GODS and HVS Drama Department Presents: "Summer Evening in Des Moines " (PG13).
Join us for an evening of entertainment by HVS students and staff that may (or may not) include performances from Writers, Readers, Actors, Vocalists, Instrumentalists, Comedians, Dancers, and Acrobats! Show begins at 7:30pm in the Zalk Theater. No reservations necessary.
Modified: 2007-03-01 03:00 PM
2/25/07 McEuen Family Benefit Concert- 7pm
Besant Hill School's benefit concert series presents John, Nathan & Jonathan McEuen at 7:00pm in the Zalk Theater. John McEuen, the founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will play a special concert with his sons Jonathan and Nathan McEuen, who have both played at the Zalk Theater and packed the house. The proceeds of this concert benefit the arts programs at HVS.
Ticket Reservation Line (805) 646-4343 ext. 343. Adults- $20 ($25 at the door), Students- $15. Space limited, advanced reservations recommended. Event Registration
This year we are dedicating an entire week to Service Learning. Service Learning combines service-based projects with an academic curriculum, and includes intention and self-reflection. The academic component defines and achieves specific curriculum goals, while the service component focuses on service to self, service to the HVS community, and service to the larger world occur. The reflective component helps students to synthesize their experience.
Our efforts will focus on eight different local projects, as well as a service learning trip to Ecuador. The 8 projects include Song Writing, Bullying, Healing our Oceans, Soul Truth (spoken word & music), Backpacking, Service Journalism, Mentoring, and Internships.
Modified: 2007-01-18 05:50 PM
1/14/07 Nathan McEuen Trio Performs at the Zalk
Sunday, January 14, 7:00 pm-
Singer/songwriter, Nathan McEuen has performed on the Tonight Show with Jay
Leno, opened for David Crosby and Gram
Nash, Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, Nitty
Gritty Dirt Band, and he’s recently
released
his first solo record, “Grand Designs”. This performance is part of our benefit concert series supporting the arts programs at HVS.
Ticket Reservation Line (805) 646-4343 ext. 342. Adults- $12 ($15 at the door), Students- $10. Hope to see you there!
Modified: 2007-01-09 10:36 PM
BHS Welcomes New Head of School Paul Amadio
The Besant Hill School community is pleased to welcome Paul Amadio, the new Head of School. Paul joined HVS on July 1, 2006, after serving as Director of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, an independent college preparatory school for girls in Massachusetts, for four years. Prior to his position at Stoneleigh-Burnham, Paul was a founding partner of the consulting firm Independent Thinking, which provided strategic governance, management, coaching and mentoring consultation services to more than twenty-five independent schools and non-profit organizations.
Paul is the former Director of Institutional Advancement at Brewster Academy, Director of Development at Chapel-Hill Chauncy Hall School, and Chair of the performing arts and Director of Admissions at Bancroft School. He has also been a national presenter on marketing, strategic planning and board governance, as well as advancement and recruitment planning and has a long time association with the independent school world. In addition, Paul has extensive experience as a professional stage actor and director, and participated in the development of a performing arts curriculum for the Massachusetts State Department of Education Migrant program. In all, Paul has more than twenty-five years of experience as an educator and consultant in independent school leadership in the areas of advancement, recruitment, marketing and communications.
Paul's wife, Donita Coburn-Amadio, also has extensive independent school experience as an acting teacher/director and in alumnae relations. They have three children, Galen, who will attend elementary school and Colton and Natalie who will be attending Besant Hill School.
Modified: 2007-02-13 06:03 PM
Besant Hill School : 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd. - PO Box 850, Ojai, CA 93024 - Phone: 805-646-4343 - Fax: 805-646-4371
