GDS Magazine | 13 Lower School Musicals Lower School students have the opportunity to participate in musicals through the after-school auxiliary program. This year, 4th grade presented Pirates, the musical on November 17. 3rd graders thrilled us with Thwacked on December 1. 2nd Grade made us smile with Arf! A Canine Musical of Kindness, Courage, and Calamity! on April 20, and we learned about friendship from 1st Grade with their production of The Cheese Stands Alone on May 11. All shows were directed by Michaeline Parrish, with musical direction by Pam Wheeler, scenic design by David Cashwell, lighting design by Dana Lowell. Lower School parents provided costume help with special thanks to Emily Thompson, Amanda McLaughlin, Anu Ramgoolam, Jennifer Pitts, and Rebecca Coltrane. Dear GDS Community, The MAD Society (Music, Art and Drama) enhances the music, visual and performing arts at GDS through community building, program support and financial contributions. MAD is funded through membership dues, and we invite anyone in the GDS community to consider becoming a member. We allocate funds to each department to bring in guest artists, fund special performances and purchase equipment. During the 2017-18 school year MAD was pleased to provide the following: Purchased a Band Shell for the concert band, jazz band and choir Funded guest artists for Fiddle Fusion Funded guest artists for Jazz Café Funded guest Mike Megliola ’00 lighting designer (drama and physics) Funded travel for Sonny Willis ’96 for summer programs Supported NYC trip for 2020 MAD volunteers hosted receptions for Upper School performances (music concerts, drama openings, Art showcases, etc.) Assisted the art department in the installation of the all school art show each semester Hosted a luncheon for the Senior Arts Awards for graduating seniors We would like to thank the fabulous teachers and staff of the Fine Arts department for providing outstanding programing for our students. We would also like to thank the MAD Board for their tireless efforts to support the arts at GDS. To join MAD or to volunteer, please go to www.greensboroday.org/ madsociety. Marianne Bennett 2017-18 MAD Society President Parent of Meg Bennett ’19