Amanda Molitor ’14, Kayla Coleman ’14: Mandie Banks, who has served as a dance instructor and choreographer at Episcopal for eleven years, has been named Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department, effective this year. Throughout her tenure thus far at Episcopal, Banks has proven to be a dynamic asset to the Theatre and Dance Department. She has taught drama and dance to every grade level, has played integral roles in the production of Lower, Middle, and Upper School plays and musicals, and has taught and choreographed the Upper School dance teams, who perform every year at Arts on the Move.
Banks noted, “I am excited to take on the challenge…I hope to continue to make the department stronger and try new things.” “New things” include experimenting with the musical rehearsal schedule that the department has developed this year, which aims to benefit all students participating in theatre.
Banks has already made great strides in revitalizing and developing the dance program at Episcopal. Enacting changes such as bringing in guest choreographers to work with the dance company and establishing select, varsity and junior varsity teams within the company to correspond to each student’s expertise and experience with dance have proven to be efficient and appealing to students involved in dance. “I want to continue to offer the best opportunities to our kids and expand the program,” said Banks.
Banks will succeed Lori Reed as Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department. Reed has served as the Chair for the past year and has initiated a great deal of positive change in the department throughout her short tenure, including introducing the “Play Slam,” in which Episcopal actors perform original one-act plays alongside actors and playwrights from other schools.
Reed has also instituted an easier and more efficient way to purchase show tickets online through showtix4u.com. “I’m most proud of my advisees, my playwright students, and all the 6th grade students I taught and the great work they did,” stated Reed.
Reed offered Banks advice going forward: “Make the program about the students.” Reed believes Banks’s strongest attribute which will make her an excellent department chair is “her dedication to The Episcopal Academy.” Episcopal’s Theatre and Dance Department will be in good hands with Banks, who plans to continue the forward momentum initiated by Reed and enact changes to strengthen and expand Episcopal’s performing arts programs.