Mitski's concerts shine a spotlight on a high school tied to Hollywood's past

A five-night concert series at Hollywood High School just ended with Mitski wrapping up her stay, adding to a small but notable tradition of pop stars performing in the school's auditorium. While big names like Elvis Costello and Morrissey have played there before, this residency highlights how deeply the school is connected to the entertainment world. Founded over a century ago, Hollywood High has become a living museum of show business history, with walls covered in memorabilia of famous alumni who shaped 20th-century pop culture. The school’s connection to Hollywood runs deeper than just its famous graduates. Its mascot, the Sheiks, nods to Rudolph Valentino’s iconic 1921 film, and the campus itself feels like a time capsule. A guided tour reveals photos of early Hollywood, wartime class pictures, and exhibits on everything from Ken dolls modeled after a student to a mural commissioned during the Great Depression. Even the library walls tell a story, tracing the evolution of arts and entertainment technology over decades.Mitski’s choice to perform here wasn’t random. The school’s historic auditorium, with its old-school charm, gave her a chance to recreate the raw, intimate energy of her early performances. She even joked about how the setting brought back awkward high school memories, turning the concerts into a playful yet emotional experience for the audience. For students lucky enough to snag tickets—some earned through perfect attendance contests—the shows were a rare treat, blending nostalgia with modern energy. But Hollywood High isn’t just resting on its past. The school has transformed some spaces into high-tech studios, offering students hands-on training in filmmaking and production. With majors in biotechnology, performing arts, and even a magnet program for new media, the school is preparing students for careers beyond the spotlight. A senior’s dissertation on child exploitation in Hollywood even tied directly into the school’s real-world lessons about the industry’s darker side.