
Chris Dayett has added a new dimension to the culture at MIA. Photos by Barry Gwinn
MIA has made great strides in its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum. Its athletic teams are winning plaudits on the playing field. But this month, the talents of MIA’s thespians and singers will take center stage, when on January 26 and 27, they present the musical, “Willy Wonka,” in the round at MIA’s Champagne Pavilion (named for school benefactors Rene and Tish Champagne).

In a theatre/chorus class rehearsal, Mr. Dayett shows how he wants it done.

As he has done for other MIA classes, Mr. Dayett films his own class for later critiquing.

Dayett’s colorful class schedule gives a hint of what students can expect. A lot of singing is involved.
When he arrived on campus, it was like no school he had ever seen. There were no buildings for starters; everything was in modulars. It being Halloween, the students and staff were dressed up in costumes and masks and seemed to be having a helluva good time to boot. When Chris was finally ushered into Scott’s office he was confronted by a principal dressed up as a cat. In one of the most important interviews in his life, he didn’t quite know how to begin. He needn’t have worried. “I will not be removing my mask,” said Scott, flashing her patented smile, “It took me so long to get ready.” What a wonderful way to break the ice, thought Dayett. “I knew right then that this is the place I wanted to be. I could see that this would be a fun place to work. I even loved the modular classrooms, because you do more when you have less.” Dayett was offered the job that afternoon and accepted the position the following morning.
During that initial meeting, a unique chemistry was born between a principal and one of her instructors. It is a relationship that has sustained and encouraged Dayett and seems to have brought out the best in both of them. “[Chris] sees the same passion in the kids that I do,” says Scott, “The students grow because of him. He allows them to shed their teenage insecurities and just be.” Scott believes that every person throughout their lives should strive to live the best version of themselves. Time passes much too quickly, she says. “This is what Chris teaches every day,” says Scott, “The students grow because of him.” Even now, Scott can already envision Dayett’s students “transforming into writers, directors, actors, musicians, and artists.” She says, “With his passion, he has changed a program, a community, and has allowed students to believe in their passions.”
It was understood that Dayett would spend a lot of his time during the 2016-17 school year finishing up the “Dorian Gray” musical. This fall, with his musical out of the way, he has turned his full attention to restructuring the Performing Arts Department. “Now that I have gotten to know the students, we’ll see what works,” he said, “The administration has given me the flexibility and support I need to develop a system [for the Performing Arts Department].” He loves being able to “start from scratch.” Whatever he comes up with will have his fingerprints all over it. He has some big ideas. A reading of a list of courses he hopes to add next year leaves one with the impression that students immersing themselves in his courses, will be well grounded in theatre, drama and film making, to mention a few. His advanced theatre course for instance, will emphasize playwriting.
He has already used his expertise to enhance some of his colleagues’ teaching effectiveness. Dayett has filmed student presentations in Lori Galiana’s award winning AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) Global Perspectives class, later replayed for critiquing by the class. And for Allison Blanco’s Law class, he filmed and produced some remarkably clever and riotous (I have watched them twice) faux commercials by fictional ambulance chasing lawyers, written by the students and directed by Ms. Blanco, another up and comer with big ideas.
And now, Dayett has his choral and theatre students practicing daily after class for the “Willy Wonka” musical he will put on at the end of the month. More on this in the next edition.
Ellie Ball, a star athlete and outstanding student, is one of the beneficiaries of Dayett’s teaching approach. She has landed a solo part in the musical. If it hadn’t been for Mr. Dayett’s chorus class, Ellie said, she never would have tried out for the school play. [In the course of a semester] I went from ‘I don’t sing alone’ to ‘I want a solo,’” Ellie said, “Mr. Dayett is extremely passionate about what he does. He gets students out of their comfort zones and causes them to change their attitudes.”
“Mr. Dayett has brought arts to the school,” Ellie concluded, “He has brought the school up to a whole other level. He has proven that sports and academics isn’t the only thing that makes MIA the best school to go to.” Well said, Ellie.
Next edition – “WILLY WONKA, Can MIA Pull This Off?”
Leave a Reply