The Blalack Theatre Department educates over 200 middle school theatre students each year. We have four performance-based courses where students learn multiple aspects of Theatre Arts.
6th grade Theatre Arts is a semester long performance-based class where students will be introduced to theatrical skills they can use in this and future theatre classes, as well as in other classes and future careers.
Introduction to Theatre - including basic terminology, stage directions, parts of the stage, genres, types of stages, and audience etiquette
Ensemble Builders
The Class Play Project - a collaborative project where the class will produce a play from auditions through strike, including rehearsals and a live performance. During a normal school year we will perform in November and March. We are waiting for approval from the district to proceed.
Theatre History - focusing on Elizabethan Theatre and Shakespeare
Improvisation - forming characters and acting without a script
Duet Scenes - students will take what they have learned to prepare, direct, and perform a duet/group scene
7/8th grade Theatre Arts is a year long, performance-based class where students will take a more extensive look at theatrical skills. The first semester focuses on the "onstage" aspects of theatre and the second semester focuses on the backstage aspects of theatre, as well as how Theatre got to what it is today.
Introduction to Theatre - including basic terminology, stage directions, parts of the stage, genres, types of stages, and audience etiquette
Ensemble Builders - work on teamwork, focus, and trust in relation to Theatre
Improvisation - forming characters and acting without a script
Pantomime and Mime - learning about using movement (not words) to communicate and tell a story - includes the Lip Sync Project and Silent Day
Monologues - an introduction to Characterization where students will study and develop a character based on their chosen monologue to perform
Duet Scenes - students will take what they have learned to prepare, direct, and perform a duet/group scene
Voice - students will work in groups to practice vocalization to represent various characters
Theatre Safety and Tools - learning about safety in the theatre and basic tools and how to use them
Technical Theatre - this project-based unit allows students learn about each area of technical theatre and design and create for each area - including props, scenery, lighting, sound, theatrical make-up, and costumes
Theatre History - a project-based learning unit where students will work in groups to research and create a way to teach the class about their time period
8th grade Advanced Theatre is a year-long, performance-based class for students who already completed 7/8th grade Theatre Arts. Students enrolled in this course will receive further training in Theatre Arts through both performance and design work. Advanced Theatre students are encouraged to audition for main stage performances (A Monologue Showcase, Dinner Theatre, and Musical), but are not required to be in productions outside of class.
Vocals - safe use of the body and voice, as well as team building activities to strengthen the ensemble
Audition Ready - students will work on writing a resume and performing an audition monologue
Acting - students will take a more extensive look at creating characters and performing through creating an original character and writing and original monologue, as well as work on skills used in producing a class play
Technical Theatre - students will use their knowledge from 7/8th grade Theatre Arts to explore and design the technical theatre aspects of a show (theoretical and practical)
Directing - students will have the opportunity to direct their peers in student-directed scenes
8th grade Theatre Production is a full year, performance-based class that work to produce all main stage productions for the Blalack Theatre Department. Students for this class must audition and be selected by the director. All students must take an active role in each production, either onstage or backstage.
Audition Ready - students will work on writing a resume, bio, take headshots, and perform a cold reading
UIL One Act Play - students will learn about the rules associated with OAP and then work to produce our UIL OAP that will compete at the district contest. There are two performances of the UIL One Act Play: one at Blalack in November (public performance) and the other at the UIL One Act Play Contest the first weekend in December. Exact dates are on the calendar.
Dinner Theatre - as soon as OAP has been struck we will begin working on our dinner theatre, which includes a live performance and dinner - Performances will be in February in the Blalack Cafetorium. Exact dates and admission information are on the calendar.
Musical - as soon as dinner theatre has been struck we will begin working on the musical. Musical performances will be at the end of April in the Blalack Cafetorium. Exact dates and admission information are on the calendar.