MayFest 2021 to Feature Live Concert on Castle Lawn

Just as Woodstock had a farm as a backdrop, Hamden Hall’s MayFest 2021 will have a castle as a backdrop. Our annual celebration of the arts will feature both in-person and virtual events including a live concert and festival at noon on the Davis Street lawn.

“The stage will be set for students, faculty, and staff to share their talents live and in person while audience members get to enjoy a ‘bring your own picnic’ event with booths sponsored by clubs that include games, contests, and much more,” explained MayFest coordinator Charlie Alexander. 

Leading up to the live concert and festival, students will enjoy theme days. Virtual events begin on Thursday, May 20. A presentation of monologues written and performed by students and faculty, and organized by English and arts teacher Lisa Daly, kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Facebook Live (on the Theatre Dept. at Hamden Hall page).

Called “Write Now!,” the project consists of 13 monologues covering different topics and themes such as relationships, body image, life with COVID, and more. Each monologue will be performed by a student – some of whom wrote their own material. According to Ms. Daly, who was assisted by co-producer and emcee Daniel DeGirolomo 2021, the written pieces were assembled by “dreamers, doers, thinkers, creators, poets, orators, and anyone with something to say.”

“This project has inspired students to write about what they're passionate about.  From poetry to personal narratives to fictional stories, the submissions covered a wide range of themes,” she said. “What I've loved about this project is the opportunity to connect with students and talk about these important topics. Rehearsals have involved laughter and tears, and the sharing of ideas. Despite a very difficult year, it gives me hope to see students so passionately and creatively engaged.”

Another Hamden Hall-centric theatrical work is on tap virtually via YouTube at 7 p.m. on May 20. The release of “Between Us,” Hamden Hall’s fall production, features at its core the following prompt: What exists in the six feet that separate us? 

“The short film follows the lives of a few students going to school during the pandemic. It is interspersed with PSAs, commercials, and more – all created by the cast,” said Mr. Alexander.

The winter musical was also created for film. At 7 p.m. on Friday, May 21, YouTube viewers will be treated to “The Winter 2021 Musical Experience.” 

The presentation includes four choreographed songs performed by students and two one-act plays: “Hard Candy” by Jonathan Rand and “The Philadephia” by David Ives. 

MayFest 2021 culminates with a live concert and festival on the Davis Street lawn, a first for our Hamden Hall community, as MayFest is typically hosted at our Skiff Street Athletic Complex. 

Senior Andrew Neubauer, who is helping to coordinate some of the acts for the live concert, said there are more than a dozen acts at this time, including longtime MayFest performers (and faculty members!) Arnold Sabatelli and John Greenawalt.

“We're extremely grateful to be able to have an in person MayFest this year, as last year we had to organize a virtual event that didn't quite capture the same feeling of community that MayFest typically evokes,” said Andrew.

Various Upper School clubs will host booths such as a tie-dye station and a historical trivia booth.

The event is limited to 200 people at any given time, and attendees must sign up to help track numbers. Social distancing and mask protocols will be adhered to. 

Links for all, including an Eventbrite sign up for the live concert, will be sent out on May 10. 

“It’s going to be a festive and fun way to ring in the spring and celebrate a year filled with challenge and triumph,” said Mr. Alexander