Thank you for visiting my home page! I am thrilled to be the Theater Arts Workshop and Media Production 1 teacher at UMS!

About Me:

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and have been working professionally in the film, television and theatre industries for almost 30 years. From casting Broadway and network television roles, to writing a screenplay for one of the greatest living filmmakers, to producing branded, multi-platform content at CBS Interactive, I've long been entrusted with being the person in charge of "the big picture".  I'm very excited to share my experiences and industry knowledge with our wonderful MTSD community and I'm honored to play a supporting role in nurturing the strong, creative minds of our student body.

Theater Arts Workshop - Course Overview

Theater Arts Workshop is an active, performance-based class that introduces students to foundational concepts in acting, collaboration, and stagecraft. The course begins with ensemble building, where students learn to support one another creatively while establishing a safe, respectful classroom culture. Students then progress through units on improvisation, scene work, and monologues—developing skills in character development, vocal and physical expression, and script analysis. They also explore design elements such as set, costume, and mask-making, culminating in original performances that showcase both acting and creative design. The year concludes with students stepping into the roles of both actor and director, applying their cumulative knowledge to fully realized scenes in a collaborative final project.

Media Production 1 - Course Overview

Media Production 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of video production, storytelling, and digital editing. Students begin by learning the three phases of production—pre-production, production, and post-production—while practicing camera work, shot composition, and editing techniques using Final Cut Pro software. Through hands-on projects such as title sequences and person-on-the-street interviews, students develop their technical and communication skills. The course culminates in a team-based production, where students take on professional roles to pitch, plan, shoot, and edit a complete news segment for broadcast on the UMS Morning News. Along the way, they learn to create compelling stories using interviews, B-roll, music, and visual storytelling techniques.

Whether your child is interested in performing on stage, working behind-the-scenes, growing more confident speaking in public or simply wants to be part of a welcoming community, each student can find ways to connect creatively while developing their own unique voice. 

Information for 7th and 8th grade Visual and Performing Arts can also be found on our District's Visual & Performing Arts Department website. Please check the site for important updates, announcements, and more.

District's Visual & Performing Arts Department website: https://sites.google.com/mtsd.us/mtsdvpa/home?authuser=1

*To see all grades and assignments, please login to parent resources by clicking on "parent/student access" at the bottom of the screen.

I look forward to a wonderful year together!

Mrs. Katz

lkatz@mtsd.us