Collaborative Theatre Arts introduces students to the collaborative learning process that serves as a foundation for work in theatre. Through ensemble-driven projects, students become better connected with their peers and learn how to tap into the power of group creation. As they build foundational skills in improvisation, physical theatre, and character development, students are asked to consider how we use the body to channel emotion into dramatic action. In this course, students will be exposed to the foundations of theatre as ritual (Greek Chorus), the start of improv comedy (Commedia dell’arte), and the function of storytelling in society (Wayang Kulit). Students will improve their skills by working through the acting processes and improvisation exercises of Spoolin. This class provides students with the necessary tools for future years in the drama program, participating in theatrical productions, building a creative practice, and developing an artistic voice. This is a semester-long course and is open to students in grades 9-12, but is recommended for grades 9 & 10.

This course is designed for more advanced theatre students who are interested in honing their skills as a serious actor. In this course we will explore tragedies in classic and contemporary dramatic literature from the ancient Greeks to modern Broadway and everything in between. Students will gain exposure and deepen their understanding of theatre cannon, play structure, and character development through the practical scene study and performance repertoire. Students will improve their skills by working through the acting processes of several major acting teachers like Stanislavski and Hagen. Students will work in various pairings throughout the semester to prepare scenes for in-class, festival, and showcase performances. This is a semester-long course. Prerequisite: Collaborative Theatre Arts and Theatre Practicum. Course is offered in even numbered fall semesters. 

This course is designed as an experiential course aimed at diversifying the students’ repertoire and skillset in the field of musical theater. It is focused on the amalgamation of acting, singing, and dancing in theatrical performance through musical theater scene study, song repertoire acquisition, and choreographic instruction. Students will be exposed to a variety of scenes from musicals ranging from golden-era to contemporary. Students will be taught how to create a character and break down songs into beats, moments, and character arcs. They will also be instructed in movement and how to incorporate dance into their repertoire and body of work as part of the increasing requirements that come with this demanding, triple threat art form. This course will culminate in a musical theatre showcase at the end of the semester. This is a semester-long course. Prerequisite: Collaborative Theatre Arts and Theatre Practicum. Course is offered in even numbered spring semesters. 

Theater technology and design is a hands-on course that develops skills related to scenic, lighting, and audio design for the stage. Students will gain exposure and experience in each area and will apply their knowledge to practical projects, including designing and building the fall play for the high school at an off site, professional theater space, and designing/building the fall play for the middle school. In addition to exploring carpentry tools, students will experiment with theater lighting and sound technology programming. Open to students in grade 9 – 12, but is recommended for grades 9 & 10. 

The Theatre Studies Major offers an extensive overview of live performance as a fundamental component of world history. The course surveys an array of dramatic material from ancient Greece through present times to investigate how various elements of theatrical work have helped to shape culture over time. The evolution of theatrical conventions, innovations, and techniques are explored through both research and practice. This course is both a sampler platter to gain exposure and experience in a wide array of styles in the theatre arts, as well as an incubator for future artists to hone in on a particular area of interest. Readings include plays and historical material, as well as dramatic theory and criticism. Students will participate in periodic classes with guest artists, sessions with theatre practitioners, and trips to local theatres for performances. In addition to regular opportunities for students to build a personal portfolio of performance work, the class ensemble will collaborate on a devised performance piece in the final quarter as a way to further investigate personal interest in theatre and put historical research into context. Prerequisite: at least three drama courses (performance or tech) and/or by permission of the instructor. Open only to grades 11 & 12, the Theatre Studies Major is taken as one of a student’s five academic majors and requires permission of the drama department, the college office, and the head of the high school.