Theatre Classes

Acting Foundations (Grades 9 - 10)

270F/SS Semester           Credits: 6 Level: ACP

270QS Quarter Credit: 3 Level: ACP

“* Acting Foundations builds basic stage acting skills, including scripted scene work and improv. Students develop their creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.  Some memorization is necessary, but most work consists of in-class exercises and performance.  Consider requesting this course with Vocal Ensemble to build your Musical Theatre skills.

Acting and Directing (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Acting Foundations or permission from the instructor)

2730F/SS Semester Credits: 6        Level: H 

273F/SS Semester      Credits: 6     Level: ACP

273QS Quarter Credits: 3 Level: ACP

* Acting and Directing is designed for actors interested in putting their skills to work in short plays and for budding directors interested in learning the basics. Students will learn directing skills, including script analysis, concept development, staging, rehearsal management, and designer collaboration. 

Acting for the Screen & Stage (Next offered in 2025-2026. Grades 10 - 12. Prerequisite: Acting Foundations or permission from the instructor)

2750S Semester        Credits: 6 Level: H

275F/SS Semester          Credits: 6           Level: ACP

275QS Quarter Credits: 3 Level: ACP

* Acting for the Screen & Stage is for the performance student who wants to explore screen acting techniques, as well as non-realistic stage acting techniques that range from the classical to the cutting-edge. Students learn acting for camera, voiceover, and directing (skills valuable and transferable to Film Studies), as well as mask technique and classical verse.

Actors’ Workshop (Next offered in 2024-2025. Grades 10 - 12. Prerequisite: Acting Foundations or permission from the instructor)

2720F/SS Semester Credits: 6             Level: H

272F/SS Semester            Credits: 6            Level: ACP

# Quarter Credits: 3 Level: ACP

* Actors’ Workshop offers students the tools to develop unique, thoughtful, and believable performance choices on their own. The goal is to free student actors from dependence on a director and empower actors to analyze text and make strong choices on their own. Students will read and perform scenes from full-length plays. Stage combat, dialects, and other acting skills will be explored. 

Public Speaking and Presentation (Grades 9-12)

2760F/SS Semester            Credits: 6 Level: H

276F/SS Semester       Credits: 6          Level: ACP

276QS Quarter Credits: 3 Level: ACP

“* Public Speaking and Presentation is for the student who wants to develop strong presentation delivery techniques by using their face, voice, and body to engage and keep the attention of an audience in a variety of speaking formats from formal presentations to wedding reception toasts. Students prepare short presentations weekly, but no papers or lengthy written drafts are required.

Technical Theatre Studio

2780F/SS Semester  Credits: 6        Level: H (Returning students only)

278F/SS Semester Credits: 6 Level: ACP

278QS Quarter   Credits: 3       Level: ACP

“ * Technical Theatre is a class for students who enjoy getting their hands dirty. Students learn basic techniques in scenic design, set construction, lighting design, sound design, and make-up design. Various technical theatre skills will be explored by working on practical projects supporting South Stage productions, including building and painting sets, hanging and focusing lights, and programming the light board. No experience is necessary, but a willingness to lend a helping hand and use power tools is required. Students can enroll in this course more than once.

Video Studio (Grades 10 - 12)

097F/SS     Semester      Credits: 6          Level: ACP

097QS Quarter       Credits: 3            Level: ACP

* In Video Studio, students learn how to communicate with an audience using recorded images and sound. Students develop techniques for use in pre-production, shooting, on-screen and voice-over performance, and post-production. Projects include music videos, short films, documentaries, news segments, and promotional videos. Returning students may work independently on individual or group video projects for honors credit with instructor approval. Note: this is the prerequisite course for CTE Television and Video at NNHS.  This course may be repeated for credit.  Students can take Honors Video after completing this course.  

Work-Study in Theatre (Grades 10 - 12)

# Full Year Credit:6 Level: P-F

# Semester Credit: 3 Level: P-F

# Quarter Credit: 1.5 Level P-F

Work-Study in Theatre provides students with training as a working stagehand or production assistant. Students must possess a passport or Social Security card. Interested students should speak with the Department Chair or Theatre Technical Director in the fall.