Putting the Art in Smart

The hallways of my high school are covered in art, literally. With paintings and sculptures hanging from the walls, actors rehearsing in armchairs, writers typing away in the corners, dancers hanging ballet slippers in their lockers, and sounds of a distant piano floating from open classrooms, it is quite a scene. And consider: all these artists are teenagers.

My school, The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), is recognized by its $38 million building Downtown. While the modern technology and appearance attracts artists from around the world, students train with practicing artists from around our city. Studying there is a unique experience, to say the least. While art classes across the country are cut from dwindling budgets, the Pittsburgh Public Schools provides a place to study art for three hours a day, completely free of charge. No matter what your passion—dance, visual art, instrumental or vocal music, theater, or literary arts (my department)—CAPA lets you express yourself.

Each department has its own program to fully encompass an art form. Some departments are broken into sub-sections like musical theater, technical theater, and costume design, giving students the opportunity to study a specific medium.

Real World Experience

“I get graded to make people pretty,” says Alex Sweterlitch, a 12^th grade costume designer who plans on going to Parsons in New York City for fashion design. For the theater department, costume design is crucial for performances. In 2006, the students performed Charlotte’s Web for middle and elementary schools around Pittsburgh. The shows sold out.

Recitals and performances are a vital part of CAPA and not just for the students. In 2005, the Japanese theater group, Rinko-gun, performed Yaneura (The Attic) in the CAPA theater, and in 2004, world-renowned choreographer and dancer, Christian Holder, taught a master class for the dance department. CAPA often brings in outside artists to share knowledge with students in order to broaden the artistic scope. And the arts faculties offer their personal insight of the art world through training and critiquing every day.

“It’s good to have the teachers’ perspective because they aren’t just teachers—they are professionals.” says Laura Stricklen of musical theater.

Often, CAPA students become the professionals. Matt Garver, former visual art major, is highlighted as a renowned tattoo artist on the show “Miami Ink”. Billy Porter, class of ’91, was a frequent guest on the Rosie O’Donnell Show for his musical theater performances and a contestant on Star Search. Class of 1985, Scott Fertig is a notable caricature artist throughout the North East for his comics, murals, and artwork.

Class work at CAPA prepares students for the professional world. One example: The dramatic writing teacher, Maureen McGranaghan, recently assigned my Television Writing class to draft episodes of Law & Order to learn about template and script format. “I get to teach motivated and talented young people,” says McGranaghan who considers herself fortunate.

“We have the opportunity to participate in many amazing activities,” says Emily Nagin, a senior literary artist who won CMU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Award first place for poetry three years running. The literary arts department—called one of the most demanding departments—practices many genres to show all sides of the craft.

“It’s a productive way to spend three hours a day,” Luke Rifugiato of literary arts says as he finishes his lunch. Other students agree that making art is productive and something they love to do, otherwise they wouldn’t be at CAPA.

Here to Support You

Our common passion and creativity give CAPA a different feel than other high schools. When students display their work in the halls or recite it for their peers, they want feedback and comments from other students.

“We try to support each other. It’s nerve-racking enough to stand in front of 60 people and read your poem without someone shooting you down,” says Jessica Ramski, the student organizer of the literary arts department’s “Express-o” readings where students share work and give feedback. “You want to make a compliment sandwich: one good thing, something to work on, another good thing.”

The inventive, supportive, challenging, and exciting atmosphere at CAPA has taught me more about art than any other school would have. The exposure to all forms of art is stimulating and inspiring. As CAPA grows each year, the caliber of the students and performances grows, too. Last year, CAPA sent 13 sophomores and juniors—including myself—to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, the most sent by any school in the state. Other students have earned many, many awards through programs, including Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Pittsburgh Public High Schools All City Arts Showcase, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

“The school has helped me grow as an artist,” says Claire Hughes, a visual artist with plans to continue her art studies in college.

Teddy McKenna shouts down the main stairwell between our academic classes, “CAPA is fun, creative!” And, yes, even with all this creativity we still have to take math.

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Gretchen Gally is a senior at CAPA who is studying writing. Quite well, we might add. This is her first feature for Pop City.

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Photos:

Teddy McKenna in performance hall

CAPA

Gretchen Gally and Alex Seterlitch

Laura Stricklen

CAPA hall with student art

Teddy McKenna

All photographs copyright © Nina T. Becker
except CAPA © Jonathan Greene