Recently, a generous alumnus (through the Maurer Family Foundation, Inc.) approached the school expressing interest in donating to the arts at Choate. Not knowing exactly how he wanted the money to be put to use, he contacted Mr. Tines, who suggested having the money fund an artist in residence.

To Mr. Tines, an artist in residence seemed to be “a common idea and a great benefit to the school.” Many universities and even some of Choate’s peer schools have artist-in-residence programs. An artist in residence can be a musician, actor, visual, or performing artist. Artists in residence work on their own projects and with the students at the school they are visiting.

Choate’s artist in residence this fall is Mr. Andrew Olewine. An actor, director, and playwright, Olewine was chosen for the artist-in-residence program after a recommendation made by a close friend. “Originally, my friend had been asked by Mr. Tines to be the artist in residence at Choate. However, she was working on something and was not able to do it. She then recommended me to Mr. Tines and it all fell into place.” Originally from Canada, Olewine has faced a significant culture change. He nonetheless says he loves every moment here.

Recently, he has been working with the casts of Troy Women and The Importance of Being Earnest. “I love being able to work with the students here at Choate. It is such a great opportunity for them and me. Although I am teaching them on a daily basis, they are also influencing how I think and act,” says Olewine.

Jen Bashian ’08, a member of the cast of Troy Women, said, “Andrew came to a lot of Troy women rehearsals and worked with us on voice and movement. He worked with some actors personally, and with the Chorus as a group. One rehearsal, we spent the entire time working on breathing and line execution. His work helped me understand the power of voice in the theatre, and how important it is that I remain in tune to my body and my breathing.”

Olewine has also been working on “some of my own stuff” recently. He didn’t disclose what it was, but he did say, “My original ideas have changed greatly since coming here. The students have influenced me to look at certain situations differently and to assess them in different ways.”

Mr. Olewine feels that Choate provides great opportunities for the arts. “I feel that in today’s society, in a world where so many people are afraid to mess up, that through the arts, you are allowed to do that. The arts allow you to make mistakes without regret because normally, through these mistakes, you recognize a different way of saying or expressing something. The arts let you express grief and joy in ways that our language does not let us anymore.”