The Academy for the Performing Arts

Academy Supervisor: Mrs. Krystal Beck, kbeck@mhrd.org

The Academy for the Performing Arts

The Morris County Academy for the Performing Arts, housed at Morris Knolls High School, welcomes students from across Morris County through a competitive application and audition process with the Morris County School of Technology. Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year (Class of 2029), the Academy will offer two programs of study: dance and musical theatre. Students apply for admission to their freshman year during the fall of their eighth-grade year.

Program of Studies

Course Descriptions: Musical Theatre

ACTING I HONORS (VP710)

Grade 9; 5 Credits; Year 1

Acting I Honors comprehensively introduces students to theatre arts, covering voice and movement techniques, theatre history from ancient to modern periods, improvisation, acting methods, and performance skills. Students learn various methodologies, including Bartenieff Fundamentals, Alexander Technique, and Laban Movement Theory. The course explores acting processes based on Stanislavski, Meisner, and Hagan methods and includes theatre terminology, etiquette, and play analysis. It culminates in winter and spring showcases, allowing students to apply their skills in practical settings.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE I HONORS (VP714)

Grade 9; 5 Credits; Year 1

Vocal Performance I offers a comprehensive foundation in vocal techniques, music theory, and performance skills. It covers vocal health, pedagogy, language studies, music fundamentals, and keyboard skills. The course includes vocal training, exploring production techniques, and Golden Age Musicals. Students also learn acting through song, focusing on characterization and staging. The curriculum culminates in winter and spring showcases, featuring classical works, Italian art songs, and Golden Age Musical duets, allowing students to apply their skills in practical settings.

Course Descriptions: Dance

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE AS AN ART FORM HONORS (VP715)

Grade 9; 10 Credits; Year 1

Description: Introduction to Dance as an Art Form will introduce students to Modern, Ballet, and Jazz from a technical and academic approach. Special emphasis is given on proper body mechanics, dance science, and injury prevention. Students will learn to move efficiently and begin to form a stronger technical foundation that can be applied to any dance technique. Additionally, the basic concepts of choreography and improvisation are explored as well as an investigation of dance history.

INTERMEDIATE DANCE TECHNIQUE HONORS (VP724)

Grade 10; 5 Credits; Year 2

Description: Intermediate Dance Technique is a continuation of Dance as an Art Form in which students will further study and apply movement vocabulary, alignment, style patterns, and performance to Modern, Ballet, and Jazz. Through improvisation, composition, choreography and aesthetic judgment, students will explore the elements and methods of composition, musicality, line dynamics, and stylistic refinement. Additionally, students will experience a variety of styles and cultural dance forms through field trips, performances, guest artists workshops, and research to enhance their own movement vocabulary and understanding of dance as a theatrical art.

DANCE TECHNOLOGY & THEORETICAL STUDIES HONORS (VP726)

Grade 10; 5 Credits; Year 2

Description: Dance Technology & Theoretical Studies will build on content learned in Dance as an Art Form in which the dance student will study dance technology and dance theory. Students will explore the relationship between digital technologies and dance, focusing on the interactions between dance and film, the interactions between audio and dance, and the use of digital media in performance. Additionally, students will investigate the underpinnings of contemporary dance, including formal ideologies, aesthetic concepts, and technical attributes.

ADVANCED DANCE TECHNIQUE HONORS (VP735)

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

Description: Advanced Dance Technique is a continuation of Intermediate Dance Technique in which students will further study and apply movement vocabulary, alignment, style patterns and performances to Modern, Ballet and Jazz. Through improvisation, composition, choreography, and aesthetic judgment, students will explore the elements and methods of composition, musicality, line dynamics, and stylistic refinement. Students will participate in field trips, collaborate with guest artists, and enhance their own movement vocabulary and understanding of dance as a theatrical art form. Movement Science and Dance History are explored to enhance technical foundations of dance movement.

CHOREOGRAPHY & CAREER PLANNING HONORS (VP734)

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

Description: Students will continue to explore and build on the previous year’s training through Improvisation, Composition, Choreography, and Repertory/Production, Aesthetic Judgment and Criticism in Dance, Dance Technology, and Career Planning. Students will create dance with a deeper analysis of choreographic process. Career Planning is emphasized through Dance Technology with the creation of personal website portfolios (including CV’s, resumes, etc.) and internet college research. Students will also have experiences in a variety of styles and cultural dance forms through field trips to college programs, performances, guest artist workshops, repertory, and historical research to enhance their movement vocabularies for post-high school dance.

Course Descriptions: Theatre

ACTING I: THE BASIC TOOLS HONORS (VP710)

Grade 9; 5 Credits; Year 1

This course is designed to introduce the student to the vast world of the theatre. Students will also learn basic theatre history and basic theatre conventions. They will also begin to learn how to express themselves through drama and learn what career opportunities there are in the field.

VOICE AND MOVEMENT HONORS (VP711)

Grade 9; 2.5 Credits; Semester 1

This class focuses on exploring one’s instruments as an actor-the body and the voice. The use of physicalization and vocalization will be practiced together and separately, and techniques will be taught to improve diction and movement.

IMPROVISATION HONORS (VP712)

Grade 9; 2.5 Credits; Semester 2

The actor will use the tool of improvisation through structured theatre games and exercises. Students will work alone, in pairs and in groups to develop creativity and confidence.

ACTING II: SCENE STUDY HONORS (VP720)

Grade 10; 5 Credits; Year 2

Particular attention will focus on developing skills that will begin to define and refine unique expression as an actor, consisting of scene work and characterization. Students will also study theatre theorists, theatre traditions and practices from around the globe.

PLAYWRITING & DIRECTING HONORS (VP721)

Grade 10; 2.5 Credits; Semester 2

Focuses on the creation of original One Act plays through writing and devising exercises, amplifying skills in creating given circumstances, character development and motivation, and dialogue.

BROADWAY BASICS HONORS (VP722)

Grade 10; 2.5 Credits; Semester 1

This class will introduce students to basic Broadway Musical Theatre history and conventions, focusing on choreography and performance style. Students will work in small groups staging and performing musical numbers from contemporary as well as classical musicals from the Broadway canon.

ACTING III: CAREER PLANNING HONORS (VP730)

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

In the first semester, students will explore Classical acting styles from Ancient Greece to Shakespeare and career planning. Dramaturgy is introduced and each student will be a "dramaturg" for a classic play ending with a presenting that they visualized and directed. Students will be selecting and performing Classical and contemporary monologues for college theater auditions. In the second semester, students will be researching and selecting college programs, and their specific application requirements and will prepare materials to meet those requirements. Other areas of study will include portfolio preparation, audition preparation, resumes and pictures, union memberships, agents, job opportunities, auditions, interviews, and on-camera acting techniques.

THEATRE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP HONORS (VP731 )

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

The first semester introduces the student to the synthesis of acting and singing the song. Students explore song material drawn from major periods of the American musical. Sight-singing skills and musicianship are also emphasized. During the second semester, students will perform short musical theater scenes, duets, and solos. This class culminates in a final public performance.

Course Descriptions: Vocal Performance

CONCERT CHOIR (VP990)

Grade 9; 5 Credits; Year 1

All chorus classes sing a variety of literature including secular, sacred, popular, and show music. Chorus classes afford all interested students an opportunity for pleasurable vocal music experience and training. In addition to class instruction each marking period, students are required to attend choral lessons during the lunch blocks. Opportunities exist for students who are highly motivated to audition for a number of extra-curricular vocal groups in the high school, the school musical, and Region I and State Honors Choirs. The chorus presents a number of musical performances throughout the school year.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE I HONORS (VP714)

Grade 9; 5 Credits; Year 1

Designed for academy vocal performance students, Vocal Literature 1 places emphasis on the study of healthy vocal production and singing. Students will learn healthy vocal production techniques through the study of vocal health, solo repertoire, and observations of other voice students. The fundamentals of diction, articulation, phonetics, and pronunciations of English and Italian are also included. Additionally, students will study music theory and develop the ability to recognize, understand and describe the processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The course will seek to instill mastery of the rudiments and terminology of music, including hearing and notating: pitches, intervals, scales and keys, chords, meter, rhythm. The coursework is designed to prepare students to take AP Music Theory or IB Music in their Junior or Senior year.

PIANO FOR SINGERS HONORS (VP723)

Grade 10; 5 Credits; Year 2

Vocal students will continue their instrumental study by synthesizing music theory and piano techniques. Through rehearsal and deliberate practice, students will learn keyboard proficiency in scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, accompaniment, and introductory improvisation techniques and gain experience performing on a keyboard instrument, analyzing musical score, and developing other essential music composition skills. The piano is a foundational instrument for performing arts students. Whether a student is simply learning pitches or performing with self-accompaniment, basic piano skills are important to develop in young singers.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE II HONORS (VP724)

Grade 10; 5 Credits; Year 2

Vocal Literature 2 continues to emphasize the study of healthy vocal production and singing. Students will apply healthy vocal production techniques through the study of vocal health, solo repertoire, and observations of other voice students. In addition to the fundamentals of diction, articulation, phonetics, and pronunciations of English and Italian, students will begin a study of German repertoire.

THEATRE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP HONORS (VP731)

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

VOCAL PERFORMANCE III HONORS (VP732)

Grade 11; 5 Credits; Year 3

This course is designed as a continuation of techniques and skills acquired from Vocal Performance I, Vocal Performance II, and Piano for Singers. Repertoire includes art songs and arias spanning the 17th-19th centuries, with the added study of performance practice of 16th-century Baroque arias and early music performance practices. This course will also include strategies and skills to develop audition practices as students focus on future audition preparation. Students will focus on developing characters through aria and recitative work. They will explore implementing acting techniques studies concurrently in Theatre Performance Workshop into their classical vocal repertoire. Vocal students will continue their instrumental study of piano by synthesizing music theory and piano techniques. Students will continue to expand their proficiency in scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, accompaniment, and improvisation through rehearsal and deliberate practice. Additionally, students will gain continued performance experience on a keyboard instrument, analyze musical scores, and further develop composition skills which may be tied to composing original music for the original musical they will write together in Theatre Performance Workshop.

Course Descriptions: Technical Theatre

TECHNICAL THEATRE I (VP717)

Grade Level 9; P/F Credits; Year 1

In this course, students will be introduced to basic elements of technical theatre practices. Through a series of practical exercises and authentic projects, students will explore the various production roles of sound and lighting, production operations, costuming, makeup and hair, and set construction. Students will also demonstrate understanding of fundamental industry language and terminology of Technical Theatre practices and be able to apply them. This floating unit will be infused throughout a student’s academy course work in grades 9 and will prepare students to obtain a CTE credential in Technical Theatre.

TECHNICAL THEATRE II (VP727)

Grade Level 10; P/F Credits; Year 2

In this course, students will further explore technical theatre practices. Through a series of practical exercises and authentic projects, students will explore stage management, set construction, lighting, and camera technique and editing. Students will also demonstrate understanding of fundamental industry language and terminology of Technical Theatre practices and be able to apply them. This floating unit will be infused throughout a student’s academy course work in grades 10 and will prepare students to obtain a CTE credential in Technical Theatre.

TECHNICAL THEATRE III (VP736)

Grade Level 11; P/F Credits; Year 3

In this course, students will further explore theatre practices building on content learned in Technical Theatre I and Technical Theatre II. Through a series of practical exercises and authentic projects, students will explore period costumes and make-up, learn basic make-up and costuming techniques, and examine the business of mounting a production in terms of marketing, publicizing, and financing. Students will also demonstrate understanding of fundamental industry language and terminology of Technical Theatre practices and be able to apply them. This floating unit will be infused throughout a student’s academy course work in grade 11 and will prepare students to obtain a CTE credential in Technical Theatre.

The 12th Grade Option

WORK-BASED LEARNING (Structured Learning Experience)

All 12th-grade students are required to complete 120-hour internship under the mentorship of an industry professional. Students will engage in meaningful, organized, and progressive work processes aligned to CTE Standards and Career Ready Practices. This requirement can be fulfilled in whole or in part at any one, approved site.