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Oakland School for the Arts

Oakland School for the Arts

CIRCLE AT THE FOX

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CIRCLE: All-School Arts Showcase Featuring student performances from all Arts Pathways

Invoking Chiron

Circle
Invoking Chiron

a showcase of talent returns to the historic fox theater

a showcase of talent returns to the historic fox theater

Returning to the Fox Theater in CIRCLE, a dynamic range of student work from all 10 Arts Pathways was presented in unique Pathway pairings. Together, we explored the CIRCLE and how it is inherently connected to all aspects of life, creativity, community, art, and academics. Throughout the evening, we journeyed through thematic explorations of life cycles, the universe, time traveling, stars, the cosmos, rituals, and relationships.

 

Thank you for joining us as we celebrated another beautiful all-school performance at the historic Fox Theater at the center of the Uptown Oakland art scene.


Act description:

Act description:

Student narrators opening the space and orienting the audience around their journey through the Circle.
Journey Into The Circle

By Jordan Karnes, Literary Arts Chair & Amelia Whitcomb, Literary Arts Faculty; Read by Messiah Birks
Journey Into The Circle


act description

act description

The minor celestial body Chiron is a profound symbol in both astrology and metaphysical exploration. Often described as a "wounded healer," Chiron is known for its transformative role in healing, growth, and the realization of one’s higher self. Although technically a comet or asteroid with a complex orbit, Chiron's symbolism is that of a bridge between the physical and cosmic realms. It represents the healing of deep wounds, often those that are tied to the soul, and the integration of these experiences into a higher, spiritual consciousness.
Invoking Chiron

Dance and Audio Production & Engineering Arts Pathways
Invoking Chiron


Act Description

Act Description

A Pantoum is a cyclical poem of any length, it doubles back on itself, as we do with our memories. Like memory, it shapeshifts as it continues, taking on new meaning with each repetition. Memory is time travel—fluid, cyclical, ephemeral. As we remember, we retell our past to ourselves, shuffling the images and emotions of our experience until bit by bit, frame by frame, we've reconstructed a story that rings true.
Pantoum For Max

Literary Arts and Media Arts Pathways
Pantoum For Max


ACT DESCRIPTION

ACT DESCRIPTION

Inspired by ‘agogo’ bells of West Africa, the electric vibrations of bass guitars, pulsing earthly rhythms of percussion and brass, colorful remixes of Indian sitar, and calming vocals, this interwoven display of our artistic universe lends itself to understanding the power and
unity of our Circle. Pat Metheny’s “First Circle” offers a dynamic fusion of intricate rhythms and vibrant melodies, a perfect way to capture the essence of exploring continuous cycles. Circles, whether in music, fashion, or life, symbolize the unity, balance, and infinite
potential of artistic expression.
First Circle

Instrumental Music and HS Fashion Design Pathways
First Circle


Writing the Chorus

By Mike Oz, Executive Director, OSA
Writing the Chorus


act description

act description

A Poem by Patrick Secrease and read by OSA Alumni 'Twon Pope with Coach Coleman on Saxophone.
I See Me In You OSA

By Patrick Secrease, Beloved OSA Community Member (1964 - 2024)
I See Me In You OSA


act description

act description

What is expressed within the sound of a sigh? We inhale deeply and release - new hope, new thought, and inspiration. In that breath we set change in motion and honor the cyclical nature of life’s ebb and flow. It is breath that gives us the strength to move on and keep creating.
EVERLASTING SIGH

Vocal Music, Audio Production & Engineering, and Instrumental Music Arts Pathways
EVERLASTING SIGH


act description

act description

This is a collaborative visual and theatrical production designed to make a connection between you and the cosmos. The projection
piece made by Media Arts was created using close-up photography of materials like milk, curry powder, dyes, and other everyday materials to create celestial objects. The process illustrates the way in which physical phenomena on the smallest scale can resemble many of our universe's largest, like nebulas, galaxies, and black holes. The words and song are quotes from scientists and artists
throughout history who seek to make this communion with our humanity and the universe.
There is in the Universe Neither Circumference Nor Center

Theater, Media Arts and Production Design Arts Pathways
There is in the Universe Neither Circumference Nor Center


act description

act description

We drifted down from cosmic light, Born of fire, dark and bright. In ancient Stars, our stories spun, forged in fusion, one by one. Now we breathe, now dream, carrying echos of what has been. Galaxies whisper, calling true, we are the stars and they are you! 
Radial Balance

Fashion and Dance Arts Pathways
Radial Balance


act description

act description

This is a piece about being in-between: between places, between languages, between identities--and how this history repeats itself. It's about the ways that again and again our sense of self can get fragmented and lost in translation, and the ways that we still try, doggedly, to circle back to what makes us whole again.
History Repeats Itself

Instrumental Music and Literary Arts Pathways: Poem by Jayden Baasauren
History Repeats Itself


act description

act description

We're all interconnected - linked to each other within our local and global communities. From students to staff, parents to alumni, workers to community leaders, and to each and every one of us here - let’s continue to create the world we want to see.
People Make the World Go Round

Vocal Music, Visual Arts, and Instrumental Music Arts Pathways
People Make the World Go Round


act description

act description

Vocal and Instrumental Music Arts Pathways with closing remarks by Mike Oz, OSA Executive Director
Circle of Life Closing

Vocal and Instrumental Music Arts Pathways
Circle of Life Closing

Oakland School for the Arts returned to the big stage at the historic Fox Theater on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, at 7 pm. The show, CIRCLE, featured a dynamic range of student work from all 10 Arts Pathways at OSA, presented in unique Pathway pairings.
 
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student offstage Narrators:

student offstage Narrators:

Thay Chang-Nguyen
Aniya Martin
Lucas Orla-Bukowski
special thanks:

special thanks:

Fox Theater Oakland Venue and Staff
OSA Students and Families
PTSA
OSA Faculty and Staff
Production Design Pathway for Lighting, Sound, and Set Design
Fashion Design Pathway for Styling
All Arts Pathways Chairs and faculty:
 
Audio Production & Engineering
Dance
Instrumental Music
Fashion Design
Literary Arts
Media Arts
Production Design
Theater
Visual Art
Vocal Music
 
Sponsors
Student MCs
Radial Balance
Neither Circumference Nor Center