Mitski Shows Shines Light on School’s Show Biz History

When Mitski concludes her five-night residency at Hollywood High School this weekend, it will mark the end of a rare tradition of rock or pop stars performing in the school’s 1,900-seat auditorium. This tradition includes notable predecessors like Elvis Costello in 1978 and Morrissey in 2013.

These concerts also highlight the storied history of the 123-year-old school, which is perhaps the educational institution most closely tied to the entertainment industry. Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of 20^th century showbiz legends. The school’s mascot, the Sheiks, named after Rudolph Valentino’s iconic role in the 1921 film “The Sheik,” further underscores its deep connection with Hollywood.

In the principal’s office, where framed magazine covers and sheet music of Judy Garland and Lana Turner are displayed, Principal Samuel Dovlatian shared his thoughts on why an artist like Mitski chose Hollywood High for one of just two intimate U.S. residencies to promote her new album, “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me.”

“Her idea of performing at a classic-looking high school auditorium with wooden chairs and red curtains is a tribute, a throwback, and an honor,” said Dovlatian. “She’s bringing the audience to a place they find familiar, reminiscent of a high school assembly concert, but elevated to a professional level with her beautiful songs and lyrics that resonate with listeners in a venue where many artists begin their journeys.”

Mitski has offered a few reasons for selecting Hollywood High. Her six-night residency in New York was held at the modern, expansive arts center, the Shed, contrasting sharply with Hollywood High’s more intimate setting. Her previous Los Angeles performances in 2024 included three nights at the 6,000-seat Shrine and one at the 17,500-seat Hollywood Bowl.

On the first night of her residency, Mitski shared with the audience how the venue evoked strong emotions about feeling like a misfit in her youth. “When I first arrived, I slightly regretted choosing a high school because I was immediately triggered,” she admitted. “As soon as I stepped on campus, my mind instinctively assessed all exits and hiding spots.”

By Thursday’s performance, Mitski humorously suggested that she intended to stir these feelings in her audience. “We’re essentially bringing you to one of the most traumatic places, to evoke emotional turmoil, seat you down, and then unleash this music on you. Ha ha ha ha,” she laughed, “I’ve primed you. It’s dark here. No one can see you. You can cry! I’m crying, on the inside.”

Mitski’s performances are known to evoke strong emotions, perhaps even tears, from fans who were lucky enough to secure tickets through a lottery. Hollywood High students also benefitted from tickets donated by Mitski’s management. Out of 168 students who participated in a contest, 46 were awarded tickets for maintaining a 96% attendance rate.

The students at Hollywood High likely find Mitski more impressive than the stars of the past, whose images adorn the school. However, for older visitors, stepping inside the school, which spans an entire city block, offers a glimpse into Hollywood’s rich history, even before entering the museum, which opens only on special occasions.

The corridor near the main office features an alumni Wall of Fame, with stars and names painted by the classes of 1991-92. Notable alumni include Garland, Turner, Carol Burnett, John Ritter, James Garner, Mickey Rooney, Robert Carradine, Barbara Hershey, Meredith Baxter, Scott Baio, Alan Hale Jr., Gloria Grahame, Jason Robards, Mike Farrell, Ione Skye, Donovan Leitch, Rick Nelson, Stephanie Powers, Sherree North, Nanette Fabray, producer Glen Larson, L.A. Times publisher Norman Chandler, and U.S. judge John Aiso (who has a street named after him downtown).

When Dovlatian opens the school museum, it offers a comprehensive look at Hollywood High’s alumni. Initially, he points out a photo of the school as it was originally built, surrounded by farmland. “This is how Hollywood High appeared when it was first constructed in the 1920s,” he said. “There was a lot of farmland, with orange groves and poinsettias. Farmers wondered why such an expensive school was being built when there weren’t many high school-aged children around. We had to advertise in newspapers to attract families with high school-aged kids to Hollywood for enrollment.”

Another interesting feature inside the museum is a class picture from the 1940s, showing only girls in the front row. “The majority of the students in this picture are girls, due to World War II. Many boys were drafted or enlisted,” Dovlatian explained. “We have a war memorial upstairs honoring our soldiers and generals.”

While the school boasts significant government, business, and military figures, the actors draw most visitors. The museum features individuals whose fame came too late for them to be included on the wall in the early ’90s, such as Rita Wilson, Lawrence Fishburne, and writer-director Frank Darabont.

The museum also features lesser-known figures such as composer Earle Hagen Jr. and film noir director Edward Dmytryk, who shares a wall with his wife, actress Jean Porter. Other celebrated individuals include Linda Evans, Swoosie Kurtz, Carole Wells, Marge Champion, and John Phillip Law. Brandy Norwood is recognized, although she did not graduate; her mother withdrew her when she didn’t land a lead role in a school play. However, Brandy is honored on the school’s auditorium façade.

Non-actor alumni acknowledged in the museum include sculptor Beatrice Wood, former attorney general Warren Christopher, and one-time FCC chairman William E. Kennard.

A unique exhibit Dovlatian highlights is the Ken doll, modeled after former student Ken Handler. The display showcases the evolution of the doll over the years. Additionally, Dovlatian presents a shrink-wrapped Hollywood High board game from the 1980s.

A visit to the school’s historic library reveals a large mural from the 1930s, commissioned as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. The mural depicts the history of the arts, transitioning from the Greco-Roman era to the flapper era and Southern California’s Spanish architectural influence, culminating with a figure looking through a viewfinder, symbolizing the filmmaking era of the 1930s.

Today, Hollywood High seeks to advance with technology fit for the 2030s. “This is the auto body shop that I’ve transformed into a multimillion-dollar studio,” says Dovlatian, showing a facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. “We probably have equipment that some studios don’t even have. It’s set up for music videos, news broadcasts, and more, with teleprompters and multi-camera setups. We also have industry professionals who support our projects.”

Dovlatian takes pride in the accomplishments achieved during his 10-year tenure at the school, five as principal and five as vice principal. Although much of the focus is on capitalizing on Hollywood’s proximity, there’s more to it. “I run Hollywood High School like a college, offering four majors for students to choose from upon enrollment,” he explains. “The options include the Teaching Career Academy, which prepares students for child development pathways. They learn about theorists like Vygotsky, Maslow, and Piaget, then apply this knowledge at neighboring elementary schools. Another major is the School for Advanced Studies, focusing on biotechnology this year, where students explore the intersection of biology and technology.”

“The Hollywood Performing Arts Magnet is another major, preparing students for acting, dancing, music, and behind-the-scenes roles in theater design, lighting, and sound. We collaborate with industry professionals to guide students. Lastly, the New Media Academy Magnet, which received a Distinguished Magnet School Award for Excellence, is up for national recognition. It introduces students to filmmaking careers, teaching them on high-end cameras used in the industry, like Sony, RED, and Blackmagic.”

During this visit, many students are dressed formally, not due to a dress code, but because it’s an important day for seniors. “Today, seniors present their dissertations, a requirement to qualify for graduation at the Hollywood Bowl,” the principal explains.

Dovlatian stops a student, Farah, to inquire about her dissertation. She shares that her project addresses show business, specifically focusing on child entertainers. “My research question is, how does abuse in the entertainment industry affect potential child entertainers?” she says. “Hollywood has a lot of exploitation and abuse. I’m exploring the child’s perspective on Hollywood’s glamor versus its darker side. I wanted to be a Disney child actor, but my mom was against it. It wasn’t until I researched that I understood her reasons. That’s why I chose this topic for my senior project. I’m excited and nervous.”

On the auditorium stage, where Mitski will soon perform, the cast of a student production of “Into the Woods” is rehearsing, while the crew works on the set design. This will all make way for Mitski’s crew at the start of spring break, replacing the Sondheim production with Mitski’s hits like “Where’s My Phone?”

This high-profile residency is a rare event for Hollywood High, the last being Morrissey’s 13 years ago, which was filmed for a DVD. Costello’s 1978 show, meanwhile, resulted in an EP that accompanied his 1979 studio album “Armed Forces,” released in full in 2010.

“A big name like Morrissey draws attention and media, but we’ve also hosted lesser-known and independent artists over the years,” says Dovlatian. “We’ve had cultural programs and shows, from Far East/Indian to children’s ballet and dance shows. The venue is flexible, available on weekends when it doesn’t conflict with our productions. I’m happy to rent it out for concerts, theater, church groups, and more. We aim to be community-friendly and support the entertainment industry.”

Sources indicate that all sound and lighting were installed from scratch for Mitski, at significant expense to her team. Goldenvoice, the promoter, even numbered each seat in the auditorium, which usually doesn’t require such details. The question remains: was it worth it, when an artist of her caliber could easily perform in a venue better suited for high-tech productions?

Mitski, known for being press-shy, did not give interviews about her Hollywood High residency. However, in a recent interview with the public radio program World Café, the only one she’s done in the U.S. about her new album, she explained her desire to do something unconventional, even before selecting a school.

“It goes back to my original intentions for this album,” she stated. “Although we added an orchestra and other instruments, at its core, I wanted to recapture the feeling I had 10 or 15 years ago, being in a room with a few people and truly connecting. It was raw and basic, in terms of performance, gear, and human interaction.”

“I wanted to recreate the experience of going to DIY or punk shows, where I felt I was witnessing something unique and memorable, like going to an abandoned firehouse to watch a band. The scale is different, but I wanted to recreate that feeling of, I feel like I’m having an experience.”

When the World Café host asked about the logistical challenges of bringing all the audio and video gear into a high school, Mitski responded, “I think you should ask my managers that, because it seemed terrible. I feel really bad, actually. God bless them.” She didn’t mention the need to fit the concert dates into the school’s spring break, the only feasible time for such an elaborate setup in a public school. Meanwhile, the school’s downstairs cafeteria was repurposed as a combination merch booth and stylized photo-op space.

However, as Mitski acknowledges, convincing her management and booking team was worth it, as the approximately 8,000 young people who attended throughout the week will likely never forget this immersive experience.