Thirteen students at West Hartford’s Hall High School ‘became’ pieces of art as part of a project for an acting class.
Paintings used as a basis for the scene above and several of the scenes below. Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
By Ronni Newton
Thirteen third-year acting students at Hall High School spent Wednesday in corners of the lobby and corridors, many unrecognizable as they transformed into characters in paintings as the culminating project of the Specialized Performance Study class.
The objective is to tell a story by bringing a painting to life, and prior to Living Painting Day the students spend several weeks choosing and researching their paintings and the time period, and coming up with a backstory that will allow them to get into character. A writing piece is also part of the project.
“They are stationary in a world they have created, performing as a character inside of that space, which is based on a painting they have selected. They are not allowed to interact with anyone outside of their world,” said Student Activities Coordinator Amy Shaffer.
Living Painting Project Day is much-anticipated by the other students at Hall, who can speak with the acting students and ask them questions – which must be answered “in character.”
Images of paintings that are used as inspiration hang on the wall next to the students’ vignettes, and the resemblance is remarkable.
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A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
Paintings used as a basis for some of the scenes below. Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
A Hall student is transformed into a character in a painting during ‘Living Painting Day.’ Courtesy of Amy Shaffer
