Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center

The 32,000-square-foot center is one of the largest facilities on our campus and showcases our Visual and Performing Arts programs. The project also replaced a parking lot with new, pedestrian-friendly green space between the new building and the dining hall and moves parking and daily traffic away from the campus core. This building represented the first step of our comprehensive, long-range Campus Master Plan.

The building includes:

  • A state-of-the-art, 415-seat, performing arts theater where the entire school gathers for meetings and events
  • Community and event space for multiple uses
  • Classrooms and collaborative spaces
  • Studios for drawing and painting, ceramics and graphic arts
  • Darkroom and photography studio
  • Gallery spaces to regularly display student work and permanent collections
  • Choral and instrumental practice spaces, including a drum room
  • A technical shop for building and assembling sets

In my opinion, this is a game changer for Gunn students and for generations to follow. It will provide this wonderful school with the facilities to deliver a distinguished, diversified and unique curriculum. The performing arts program at The Frederick Gunn School is currently thriving and soon it will have a venue to match its caliber and advance it to its greatest potential. This is truly a dream come true!

Thomas S. perakos '69

I have always thought that the addition of a comprehensive arts center, including performing and fine arts, makes an educational institution complete and whole. Art raises the quality of our lives. I am pleased to be part of all of this, an initiative that will bring many opportunities to students of The Frederick Gunn School for many years to come.

Richard C. Colton Jr., '60

Arts News

2023 Halo Award Nominations
Theatre Program Earns 15 Halo Award Nominations

Congratulations to the cast and designers of the fall play, Men On Boats, and the winter musical, Head Over Heels, who together have been nominated for a total of 15 Halo Awards, including Best Performance by a Cast in an Ensemble Production, Best Contemporary Play, Best Contemporary Musical, and The Fearless Award.
 

Lovely Day Spring Concert 2023 promo
Community Invited to Enjoy "Lovely Day"

The Frederick Gunn School Music Program will present Lovely Day, a Spring Concert featuring students in String Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, and Jazz Band under the direction of Ron Castonguay, Director of the Arts and Music Director. Family, friends and the community are invited to attend the performance one night only, Wednesday, May 17, at 7 p.m., in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Admission is free. No registration is required. 
 

A Midsummer Night's Dream promo 4x6
Advanced Acting Class to Present Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Students in Kent Burnham’s Advanced Acting class will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare on May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. As of May 29, the May 9 performance is SOLD OUT. A limited number of seats remain for May 8. Advance registration is required.
 

2023ChamberConcertPromo
Chamber Concert to Feature Student Solos and Small Ensembles

Friends, family, and the community are invited to attend, A Chamber Concert: An Eclectic Mix of Music Solos & Small Ensembles, on Sunday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Registration is not required and admission is free.
 

Joanna Jin painting
31 Student-Artists Featured in Kent Art Association Show

Thirty-one students in the Technique & Artistry co-curricular program as well as the Introduction to Printmaking and Digital Photography classes at Gunn will have their original artwork featured in the Kent Art Association’s 31st Student Art Show. The opening is this Saturday, February 18, from 2 to 5 p.m., with an awards presentation at 3 p.m., at Kent Art Association, 21 South Main Street in Kent.
 

Head Over Heels poster horizontal
Gunn Theatre Program to Present "Head Over Heels: The Musical"

The Frederick Gunn School Theatre Program will present Head Over Heels: The Musical on February 23, 24, and 25 at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Family, friends, and the community are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Admission is free.
 

Alone_at_Home_Yoyo_Zhang '24
Students Honored With Gold and Silver Keys at Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards

Four student-artists from The Frederick Gunn School were selected to participate in the annual Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards, the largest juried student art exhibition in the state. Their work will be featured through February 3 at the Donald and Linda Silpe Gallery at the University of Hartford.
 

Students at Northern Region Festival Auditions 2022
Six Gunn Music Students Selected to Perform in Regional Festival

Ten students in the Gunn Music Program traveled to Avon High School on November 12 to audition for the Connecticut Music Educator Association (CMEA) Northern Region Music Festival. Of those 10, six students were selected to perform at the regional music festival, January 13 and 14, 2023, at New Britain High School. The festival ensembles will include a concert band, orchestra, mixed choir and jazz ensemble.
 

art for 2022 holiday concert
Annual Concert to Feature Music for the Holiday Season

The Frederick Gunn School Music Program will present Somewhere in My Memory, Music for the Holiday Season, featuring 48 student musicians in String Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, and Jazz Band along with special musical guests. Family, friends and the community are invited to attend the performance on Monday, December 12, at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Admission is free with general admission seating.