Annual Fund

Each year Marianapolis announces the exciting improvements planned for the following academic year, and asks for the support of its entire community to make them a reality through the Annual Fund.

Marianapolis relies on the Annual Fund to bring the latest resources and programs to our students, resources and programs that would otherwise not be possible. In recent years Annual Fund dollars have added four classrooms to St. John’s, renovated four science labs, replaced the Computer Lab, updated the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms, and much more.

This year we have three projects planned:

Conversion of the Lecture Hall into a Black Box Theater.
Completion of a Dance Studio.
Upgrades of Academic Areas.

The title of our Annual Fund this year is “Reach for the Stars: Participate. Educate, Celebrate.” This embodies our heartfelt dreams for Marianapolis in the year to come – the valued participation of all members of our community, the education of our students, today and tomorrow, and the celebration of what we can accomplish together.

We hope you will join us in offering your financial endorsement of Marianapolis at whatever level you are able. Whether your family gives $25, $50, $500 or more - gifts of any amount are appreciated by our students.

Black Box Theater – a dedicated performance space

“A “black box theater” is an excellent solution for creating a performance space for Marianapolis’ theater and music students. It is a type of theater that can be easily and creatively adapted to the needs of each specific drama production or concert. The school will now have a space dedicated to the performing arts, and more importantly, our students will be able to make full use of their creative talents and skills.”
-Robert Sloat, Drama Faculty

The performing arts are the lifeblood of the School’s art, music and drama programs. Currently, the School’s drama program produces three plays annually to showcase the talents of more than 200 students. Many Marianapolis students have gone on to continue performing in college and in the community, with still others pursuing acting as a career or a life’s passion.

The Black Box Theater will provide a dedicated, flexible, multi-purpose performing arts space for students in drama, music and the arts. Marianapolis plans to convert the current Lecture Hall into the theater, which will seat up to 72 audience members. The space will continue to serve as the music classroom and rehearsal area, with improved acoustics and sound proofing, and a stage for concerts and musicals.

Black Box theaters are so-named for the black walls and ceiling that allow artists to control how the audience sees the performance, and emphasize lighting and simplicity. Black Box Theaters were first pioneered in the 60’s and 70’s for experimental theater, meaning a production could take place with minimal set decoration or scene changes. These theaters have since grown in popularity in college and communities across the world.

Dance Studio & Program
“I’ve danced since I was 4 years old, and competed in regional and national competitions. I probably have over 100 trophies. But a week into my freshman year at Marianapolis, I made the tough decision to stop dancing. I just didn’t have time, with the commute to and from school, class work and sports, I realized I had to give it up. To have dance available here at Marianapolis - I would love that! I love dance so much! I have friends that would be much more interested in going to school at Marianapolis if it had a dance program.”
-Rebecca Shea, Sophomore

Marianapolis is continuing to raise funds for a dance studio, a campaign that began with last year’s Annual Fund. Marianapolis recognizes that a dance program is an essential component of any college preparatory school.

There are several students at Marianapolis who have given up dance to make time for the school’s rigorous study requirements and athletic schedule. Being able to incorporate their dance training into their Marianapolis curriculum would allow them to pursue their passion for dance as their athletic requirement.
Beginning a dance program will attract more of these talented students to Marianapolis, and enhance the school’s existing Fine Arts curriculum through collaborative performances.

The plan is to convert existing space in the Athletic Complex into a Dance Studio. The studio will incorporate a state-of-the-art “floating floor” to prevent injuries, dance mats, a wall of mirrors, portable ballet barres, a sound system and sound proofing.

Through a dance curriculum, the school can further inspire students considering careers in the performing arts, while introducing still more to the spiritual and physical freedom of this art form. Yet other students will find dance enhances their strength and coordination in other sports.

Academics- Classrooms & Tools
“The ability to update our classroom resources and provide state-of-the-art technology energizes not only our faculty but our students. Marianapolis is committed to providing the latest tools necessary to educate students in a quality college prep environment.”
- Karen Tata, Assistant Head of School

Computers. LCD projectors. New furniture. Faculty training. White boards. SmartBoards. Microscopes. Harkness Tables.... Keeping pace with the technology and resources needed to run a top-notch college preparatory school is a seemingly endless, but necessary, pursuit.

Each year the Annual Fund helps Marianapolis add equipment and tools to our classrooms that would not be possible from annual operations.
The rewards of offering the latest tools help our talented faculty to keep pace with technology and knowledge, and yield a more beneficial and memorable classroom experience for our students year after year.

Ways to Contribute

Call 860-923-9565, ext. 236, or mail a check to Marianapolis Annual Fund, PO Box 304, Thompson, CT 06277. For further information, email cbaron@marianapolis.org

You can also donate online below: