Spring Capstone Projects Explore Identity and Art

This spring, two members of the Class of 2026 took their passion for the performing arts to new horizons through the Northfield Mount Hermon senior capstone program.

Zoe Wallace '26 used the skills she developed in NMH theater to direct a full-length play, "Red," which explores the complex, evolving relationship between renowned artist Mark Rothko and a young apprentice.

Niayla Curley '26, meanwhile, produced a short film documenting the role that dance has played in shaping her identity and helping her embrace her cultural heritage.

A semester-long independent study available to seniors, the capstone program allows students to construct and implement an independent study project from conception to presentation. Working with faculty advisors, seniors devise a project on a topic of their choosing, produce a final presentation and reflection on both the process and their results, and create a tangible product that contributes to the greater NMH community.

Wallace was inspired to take on her ambitious project after taking a directing class her junior year and watching several previous theater-based capstone projects. She found "Red's" combination of nuance and relatability an appealing subject to sink her teeth into.

"The most important thing to me was finding a script that felt real," Wallace said. "I think Rothko's experience appealed to me because of his inner conflict: He is not the most likable character, yet he is relatable. I have always loved art, whether it was performing or visual, and I really love how it has the power to move, disturb, and comfort and how art is always changing but remains a universal language."

To accomplish the task of overseeing every stage of the production, from casting and crew choices to set design and stage direction, Wallace drew on the skills and leadership she cultivated as a captain and coxswain of the girls' rowing team.

"My role on the rowing team was extremely helpful," she said. "The type of leadership that is required of a coxswain is very similar to that of directing: being in charge and leading the group, but not actually the one performing."

Through the capstone program, Wallace had the opportunity to explore interests and topics not typically covered in classroom lessons and direct her own deep dive into her passions.

"It's important to allow and give space for students to dig deeper into what they are passionate about and learn more in a setting not otherwise attainable," she said. "I think the independence and proactivity that capstones require are very valuable skills for seniors to learn and get thrown into."

Curley, a member of the Navajo Nation, said her project gave her an outlet to meditate on "my experience with [finding] my identity in a space where it's not very accepted or well known — representation, in a word. I thought of producing a dance at first, but I wanted to try something different. I considered doing a photography portfolio but just felt like that wouldn't tell the story the same way that a video would."

She spent the spring semester conducting interviews with faculty, family, and friends, which she stitched together with dance montages and footage from her home in New Mexico to chart her growth from a self-conscious 9th-grader to a student leader willing to stand in the spotlight on- and off-stage.

The process of creating a film — a first for Curley — allowed her to learn new technical skills while providing an outlet to share her personal journey and culture.

"I think the biggest thing for me was capturing moments at home," she said. "Living on a reservation, home is everything, family is everything, culture is everything. I took the camera home [for spring break] and just set it up everywhere."

The help she received from faculty and friends at NMH while working on her capstone is emblematic of the support that helped her blossom at NMH into the person she is today.

"Someone asked me what I've learned here and how that would apply to college, and I said I don't feel the same fear that I did when I first got here," said Curley. "My approach used to be 'just belong, just fit in; you have to adapt yourself,' instead of a place adapting to me. Now, I don't feel the need to hide amongst people anymore: I can openly be myself. Dance played a huge part in that change, and it was kind of cool to reflect on that."

The benefits of the capstone program are numerous, according to Curley: a chance to develop time management and independence, to reflect on one's work and progress over the course of the semester, and to observe the interests and talents of classmates and friends.

"I like going to other capstones, because it's really cool to see what these kids have put their hearts and souls into," Curley said. "That's the best part: You can literally make your capstone anything you are passionate about."

—Max Hunt

Photos by Matthew Cavanaugh and Aurora Song '26. Click the icon below to see Niayla's capstone documentary.