Upper Schoolers Learn from Broadway Choreographer

Every summer Upper School students have a universal book they read and then spend a day discussing the book in small group discussions. This year’s book was Hamilton, which was announced during Upper School announcements back in May. The discussion this year was a little more exciting than years past because FWCD had Broadway performer and choreographer Stephanie Klemons on campus. Klemons is an Associate Choreographer and original dance captain of the Broadway musical Hamilton.

On September 4, students started their discussion in the Scott Theater where Klemons and Eric Tysinger, FWCD Technical Director, sat in chairs on stage and had a conversation with each other as the students listened. The conversation started with their history together and how much they know each other from working on Hamilton together. At one point during the 45-minute presentation, Upper School English Teacher Catherine Collins-Vecino asked Klemons if she would demonstrate some choreography, so Ava Vanderpoel ’26 offered lyrics from “The Room Where it Happens,” and Klemons sang and danced to those lyrics. 

“One thing that really stood out from the conversation was the way Stephanie talked about Hamilton and democracy,” said Upper School Librarian Sarah Blan. “She talked about how the relationships on the stage of Hamilton weren't always as wonderful as what was portrayed in the media. She said there was fighting, and it was ugly and difficult. She talked about the juxtaposition between something so incredible and successful yet filled with struggle and difficulty. Aero McCormack '25 asked an excellent question to end the discussion about how Hamilton relates to our current political state. Her answer was very inspirational. She talked about how fighting is essential to moving forward as a nation.”

The students then broke out into discussion groups about different topics related to the book. 

Along with the presentation, Klemons also worked with a few other groups on campus, including the cheerleading team, ballet class, and the Acting and Musical Theatre classes.

Students learned challenging original choreography from Hamilton, In the Heights and Bring It On (a Broadway musical that our own Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06 performed in), as well as participated in Q&As with Klemons about the development of these projects, their purpose and vision. “Although our cheerleaders and ballerinas are not used to moving like they do in Hamilton, they stretched their comfort zones and did an amazing job learning a difficult style from an industry expert,” Krauss said. “Stephanie also taught them a combination from Bring It On: The Musical, the show we were in together many years ago! It was also neat witnessing a collaboration between our Fine Arts and Athletics Departments.”

Director of Fine Arts Lindy Heath was thrilled to have Klemons on campus and was grateful for the motivation she provided the students. “Our students benefit so much when they hear and learn from working professionals from across the nation. Stephanie brought motivational energy like no other to our campus,” Heath said. “Her connection with students was a confidence booster and to all of our artists, athletes and scholars. To hear real-life stories of the creative development, persistence and smarts that make a dream become a reality and then a huge success is sometimes just the thing a student needs to move their dream forward.”