The Hotchkiss Dramatic Association (HDA) sponsors three major productions each year – one musical and two plays. Theatre faculty, guest choreographers and directors, and students work together on these performances and invite the local community to attend performances. 

Students also work throughout the year on Black Box productions, which offer an opportunity for students to take the lead in all aspects of planning and performance. Black Boxs are characterized by small casts and intimate settings. Students direct, design sets and lighting, and lead rehearsals. Chris Mitchell ’24, co-head of HDA, said, “You can create a whole world under those spotlights. Black Boxes have the power to shape the reality that you want your audience to enter into.” 

Although Black Boxes are student-driven, faculty members offer support. This year, the program welcomed two new faculty members to the theatre department: Mr. Souleman Toure ’19, coordinator of multicultural recruitment and outreach, and Mrs. Sienna Brann, Walter Crain fellow and instructor in theatre. Mr. Parker Reed, instructor in English and theatre, said, “We are thrilled to have two new professionals who are passionate about theatre, excited about acting, and cannot wait to inspire young aspiring performers.” 

Mr. Toure is excited to be involved in HDA after participating in the program as a student. He said, “What appealed to me about HDA [when I was a student] was how it inspired boldness in students. Looking into the future, the faculty have been trying to think about ways to involve students who typically do not consider themselves actors or stage directors in the theatre program.” 

Mrs. Brann, who will play Lena Younger in the HDA winter play, Raisin in the Sun, is also enthusiastic about working with smaller productions. She said, “Black Boxes are so inspiring to me, because they are an invitation to all students to experience the creation of a play. The magic of being onstage and sharing a story is powerful and I hope all students get to experience this. ” 

This year, HDA will offer Little Shop of Horrors starting on November 11, A Raisin in the Sun starting on February 22, and a variety of student-directed plays in the Black Box throughout the year.