Return to the Stage

Agony! For those who have been living and working at MSA for a few decades, "Agony” might be the first thing that comes to mind when they see Kane Kashouty, alumnus and now Director of Admissions on the Hill. And when they think “Agony,” it is with the fondest memories. On a cold winter night in 2006, Kane Kashouty, a freshman at the time, and Remi Kerouac sang Sondheim’s much-loved duet “Agony” in the MSA drama winter musical, Into the Woods. Mr. Hufnagel remarked about the performance from nearly 15 years ago: “It was one of those moments in boarding school life that will always bring me a smile—it was performing arts and MSA at its best.”

While there are only a handful of teachers still working on the Hill who had the pleasure of seeing Kashouty and Kerouac perform that evening, everyone on campus got to see Mr. Kashouty return to stage in this year’s winter production of Grease, in which he played the Teen Angel, a phantom teen idol who makes his only appearance in the musical to sing the song, “Beauty School Dropout.”

For Kashouty, returning to the stage provided him an opportunity to reflect on his time at MSA and how influential the drama program has been in his life. We sat down with him to learn more.

Tell us about how MSA’s Fine Arts program has been helpful to you in life and in your career.

I think one of the things that makes the Miller School so special is that it provides so many avenues for students to find their niches and passions. I can say for certain, that the English teachers at MSA inspired me to pursue a degree in literature at the collegiate level, and then go on to teach. However, another place I felt at home was what we now call Caton Hall, back then, known as “that Arts building.” The arts program at MSA has always been robust and continues to teach and inspire students to explore their creativity and craft and perform splendid masterpieces, whether at the wheel or easel, behind the lens, at the bandsaw, or on the piano keys— probably more so now than ever.

You were a bit of a star on the Hill in high school each winter. Tell us about your experience in the Drama program.

I always felt at home on the stage and looked forward to the winter musicals each year on the Hill. The time and effort that went into putting on a production, from Camelot to Into the Woods, was always rewarded with warm camaraderie among castmates and friends and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Theatre brings people together: students and faculty, actors and characters, casts and audiences, families and friends. It’s another layer of community-- something Miller School has always, and continues to foster, so well.

What was it like being back on stage working with current students?

It was great to be able to help out the Miller Drama Department this year with their amazing production of Grease. It was an honor to work alongside such hardworking and talented students and faculty. And let’s be real, there is no one more passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic, that our music teacher, Chris Celella. We are truly lucky. But then again, that’s what brought me back home to Miller anyway: the amazing students and faculty.