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Administrator: Daryle Redmond | (315)-218-2042 | Department Chair NSJHS: Kimberly Delahunt | Department Chair CNS: Ken Sherry
Administrator: Daryle Redmond | (315)-218-2042 | Department Chair NSJHS: Kimberly Delahunt | Department Chair CNS: Ken Sherry
Pick your field of interest (Theater/Sound/Lighting/Video/Backstage), train, produce events, and become a leader. Chart a course based upon what is offered each year. All are 20 weeks except fundementals which is 40 weeks and counts as a 12th grade ELA credit.
Pick your field of interest (Theater/Sound/Lighting/Video/Backstage), train, produce events, and become a leader. Chart a course based upon what is offered each year. All are 20 weeks except fundementals which is 40 weeks and counts as a 12th grade ELA credit.
For more information please visit the Stage Production Pathways Document or the Stage Production Yearly Offerings Sheet
Courses:
Courses:
INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL THEATRE
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 8, 9 | Course Number: 0670
Prerequisite: Students who have either a love of acting or would like to be on a stage or tech crew. This course is designed to work alongside the course Scenic Design and Show Control. Courses can be taken in any order.
This course is Part I of a 2 course offering. Part II is Scenic Design and Show Control.
“We are live in 30 seconds people….ready on lights?” “Lights are good.” “Sound team?” “Monitors are ready. Front of House levels are set, Preshow music fading NOW.” “Video are you set and rolling?” “Roger that- we are live. Projecting pre-show credits...NOW” Backstage: Are we a go?” “Places people! Yes - All cast is set and we are ready. “Ok, everybody - let’s do this!”
It takes a village to make everything go right for live performances. Welcome to the village! After this course, you’ll have a solid appreciation for what each crew member brings to the table. No matter your background, there is something here for you.
The class objectives are as follows:
● Whether you are usually on stage or behind it, this course will offer you a unique hands-on look at how each part of a live performance works
● Learn about set design and construction and begin designing your own ideas
● Learn about microphone placement, recording, videography, and lighting setup and design
● Incorporate the current JHS Musical and Talent Show as our backdrop for learning. You will actually help shape these productions!
● Release your inner “techie” as we hold class in the JHS auditorium offering students opportunities to use the stage and design the technical aspects behind the performance
● Fun activities to learn/ build: Organization, Communication, and Teamwork
● Learn how to use stage tools safely, how lights work and are used, an introduction to sound and backstage aspects for live productions
● Field trip to Syracuse Stage for a private backstage tour in November and optionally join us for a group viewing of their December show
● Learn how to maximize audience satisfaction, cast excellence and show results
SCENIC DESIGN AND SHOW CONTROL
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 8, 9 | Course Number: 8671
Prerequisite: It is recommended to take Introduction to Technical Theatre prior to this course.
This course is Part 2 of a 2 course offering. Part I is Introduction to Technical Theatre.
Whether you are on stage performing, or working behind the scenes on a stage crew, lighting, sound or video team, we all have one goal: to make an art form that expresses our passion and that can be appreciated by an audience. Are you ready to peel back the amazing layers of a live performance? There are a lot of pieces to make a live event work. When all the pieces fit, remarkable things can be achieved.
The class objectives are as follows:
● All learning experiences will have real-life applications
● Incorporate the current spring events, such as the JHS Talent Show as our backdrop for learning. You will actually help shape the production!
● Holding class in the JHS auditorium offers students opportunities to use the stage and design the technical aspects behind the performance
● Fun activities to learn/ build: Purpose, Professionalism, Leadership
● Learn about set design: Style, Composition, Perception vs Reality, Psychology, Color Theory
● Learn Cinematography: Rule of Thirds, Camera Angles and Types of shots
● Sit behind a real lighting console, sound board, and video mixer to get the real experience
● Take a field trip to The Landmark Theatre in February and optionally join us for a group viewing of a spring broadway show by Famous Artists.
● Design and build actual sets, lighting and sound design, videography and editing
● Create our own last day of school show with a live audience and we work all the tech!
FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN FOR THEATRE
40 Weeks | 1 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0650
Prerequisites: Students interested in a career in acting, directing, technical theatre, and stage activities.
Have you ever wondered how all the magic happens on stage? We reveal all the backstage secrets in this course. Covered topics include: a brief history of theatre architecture and stage technology, the stage and its equipment, scenic design, lighting and sound design, construction techniques, and costuming. Specific emphasis will be on the use of color and artistic choices to communicate effectively on stage.
Students will:
● Experiment with the elements of design and composition in theatre
● Build props, design/ build sets, and paint them for the CNS fall play, spring musical and Talent Show
● Learn color theory, script analysis and develop a personal artistic style
● Understand the roles and responsibilities of Artistic Directors, The Design Team, Crew and the Stage Manager in unifying the “production concept”
● Understand the principles of perspective drawing and drafting in scenic design, including manual drafting and CAD using Vectorworks
● Travel to Syracuse Stage for a private backstage tour in November and a group viewing of a December show.
● Experiment with sound and lighting design to communicate a message to the audience
WORK EXPERIENCE FOR LIVE EVENT PRODUCTIONS
20-40 Weeks | 1/2 - 1 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0664
Students (age 16 and older) enrolled in any WBL Stage Production course are eligible to participate in earning work experience credit through the General Education Work Experience Program (GEWEP). This program gives students opportunities to apply academic and technical skills learned in the classroom to actual workplace experiences beyond the walls of CNS.
Students who demonstrate mastery of skill in staging, sound, lighting or video are considered eligible for this program which includes:
● Planned and coordinated Stage Production WBL related instruction
● Paid and unpaid school-supervised work experience
● Supported by at least one period of related classroom instruction, such as the numerous Stage Production WBL courses
● Successful completion of related coursework, fulfillment of required work hours and recommendations from employer and instructor are required of each student employee
● Student provided transportation required to potential job sites / events
(150 hours = ½ credit, 300 hours = 1 credit)
Max WBL credits for students: 2
EVENT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION (2025-2026)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0663
Prerequisites: Enrolled in the 4D Productions program OR completion of the following 3 courses: Introduction to Technical Theatre, Scenic Design and Show Control.
Students will explore the mastery of live events that take place in our secondary school auditoriums, including our Talent Shows, Concerts and Drama offerings. Using their knowledge of the crew procedures and relevant equipment, students will dive deep into how to incorporate the latest technological advances to improve all district events.
Students will:
● Receive hands-on group instruction to directly connect present learning to future goals
● Work on the design concept and special effects of real productions for large audiences in terms of sound, lighting, video and staging
● Train on how to lead a crew and build community
● Gain confidence to take leadership roles such as a crew manager or assistant manager
● Learn how to work under stressful situations and quick timelines
● Practice being a professional 100% of the time
● Work on short and long-term plans for the spaces, including maintaining the facility
● Master software such as Studio One, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and CAD
● Accomplish and train on the design steps of: Selection, Implementation
● Work with Two and Three-Dimensional scenery and props
● Work to become master editors of audio and film and photography projects
● Practice employability skills: Responsibility, Trust, Punctuality
● Tour the Redhouse at City Center facilities in December
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) work with local businesses and production companies
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL.
THEATRE ARTS AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT (2025-2026)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0664
Prerequisites: Enrolled in the 4D Productions program OR completion of the following 3 courses: Introduction to Technical Theatre, Scenic Design and Show Control.
Students will ensure the mastery of live events that take place in our middle and secondary school auditoriums, including our Talent Shows, Concerts and Drama offerings. Having mastered the equipment and design functions, students will become the production managers to fully run these events.
Students will:
● Have tailored lessons to directly connect learning to specific career pathways
● Develop the budgeting, management, and personnel of actual large productions
● Be an innovative leader, director, or production manager
● Build budget proposals, manage finances, run marketing campaigns
● Explore new avenues of revenue, book new talent at our venues
● Work on short and long-term plans for the spaces, including upgrading the facility
● Draw accurate renderings of spaces and shows, stage, light and sound plots
● Accomplish and train on the design steps of: Evaluation, Increasing Productivity
● Practice productive employee recognition and proper training guidelines
● Organize, plan for, and hold crew/ production meetings
● Assist RRMS or GRMS with building their programs, organizing and mentoring their crews, and volunteering for their productions
● Teach all the employability skills to others and demonstrate mastery
● Understand the psychology of management, hierarchy and the pitfalls of power
● Tour the St. Joseph’s Lakeview Amphitheater/ Exposition Center in May
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) work with local businesses and production companies
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL.
ADVANCED STAGE AND SCREEN TECHNOLOGY (2026-2027)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0658
Prerequisites: Enrolled in the 4D Productions program OR completion of the following 3 courses: Introduction to Technical Theatre, Scenic Design and Show Control.
Students will explore the basics of live events that take place in our secondary school auditoriums, including our Talent Shows, Concerts and Drama offerings. Learning the fundamentals of communication, solid work ethic, and teamwork, students will attain relevant technological skills in staging, lighting, sound and video. Participants will thoroughly train on a specific crew’s equipment, and successfully work several events during the year.
Students will:
● Receive hands-on group foundational instruction for real-life applications
● Work on the preparation and design of real productions for large audiences in terms of sound, lighting, video and staging
● Be responsible for project-based learning and picking independent avenues of study
● Use state of the art equipment to run the CNS and NSJHS Auditorium, working positions you’ve mastered
● Work on short and long-term plans for the spaces, including new equipment proposals
● Practice employability skills: independence, timely work, positive attitude
● Accomplish and train on the design steps of: Commitment, Analysis
● Visually present scenic design concepts after studying the production concept
● Experiment with color on stage and in post-production video applications
● Tour the Redhouse at City Center facilities in December
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) work with local businesses and production companies
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL.
SOUND DESIGN: SHOW MIXING AND RECORDING (2026-2027)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0654
Prerequisites: Students who want to explore a career involving sound, including sound design and audio for films should sign up for the course.
For live performances: If you don’t have good sound, you don’t have a performance. Imagine going to a concert that featured eye-popping lighting effects, complex staging with moving truss, video screens bigger than CNS...but there was no sound. I think you’d want a refund. Bottom line: Sound is the foundation in which a show can build upon. A good sound designer knows the audience, the equipment, and understands the scope and vision of the performance. In this class, students will learn the basics of sound design as they learn the ins and outs in this industry. It’s not all fancy equipment that makes a great show. It’s a plan made by a team of sound workers who can exquisitely control every aspect of what is heard.
Students will:
● Mix live sound on professional equipment and then learn how to edit properly
● Have opportunities to run all the auditorium events for NSJHS and CNS and to land (paid/ unpaid) work outside of school, with local sound companies and businesses (resume building)
● Comprehend universal audio properties while realizing the artistic nature of design
● Learn how to run a professional soundcheck
● Setup and run large and small sound systems for real events in and outside of school
● Understand Sound Waves, Frequency Response, Microphones, Speakers, Dynamic Range
● Experiment with Gain Structure, Calibration and Mixing at Unity
● Understand Distortion, Impedance, Preamps, Amplifiers, Delay, Reverb and other Signal Processing for both analog and digital systems
● Practice proper cabling techniques, soldering and repair of various cables
● Understanding Signal Processors, Inputs and Outputs, Summation and Perception
● Learn computer software for plot diagramming, networking and recording such as Vectorworks, Dante, Serato DJ, and Studio One Plus
● Use state of the art sound systems, microphones, and line array systems
● Learn how to be a successful DJ, using a full DJ right at school!
● Tour SubCat Studios and meet local industry experts
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL
FILM AND SCREEN DESIGN (2027-2028)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0655
Looking through the camera eye is quite different from our natural perspective. The complex world of video design, production, and editing is constantly changing. New challenges abound with changing technology, higher resolutions, larger files and sophisticated networking and storage.
Students will:
● Build upon a foundational knowledge of video equipment and media
● Focus on skit writing for comedic and dramatic purposes for our live events
● Work auditorium productions as videographers, technical directors, media loaders, color graders, and live mixers
● Learn about networking and storage solutions, including cloud-based services
● Create individualized projects such as stop-motion, short films, all supporting NSCSD
● Develop video packets for news broadcasts in school and professional media outlets
● Be involved with several large district projects, including all pre show content, opener videos, and special video projects
● Edit efficiently for a fast turn around using Premiere Pro, Final Cut, After Effects, and Photoshop
● Develop your directing skills for your projects; “hire” the cast, call the shots
● Take a tour of Spectrum’s headquarters and News Channel 9
● Meet guest speakers from the local industry and Boston’s famous WGBH Television Station
● Film using both SLR high end cameras and 4K video cameras
● Get involved with several outside opportunities such as the NYS Winter Fair at the Expo Center
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) freelance work with local businesses and production companies
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL
LIGHTING DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING (2027-2028)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0653
Prerequisites: Students who want to explore a career involving lighting, including performance lighting and film lighting should sign up for the course.
Lights, Camera, Action! There’s a reason why lights are called first. Lighting is more complex than you think. Without professional lighting, plays would be in the dark, cameras won’t work, concerts would be boring and this course wouldn’t exist. A good lighting designer uses all available tools to take the production to the next level.
Students will:
● Create artistic lighting designs on professional theatrical equipment
● Appreciate the composition elements: Line, Scale, Movement, Light, Color, Texture
● Experiment with the principles of Composition: Harmony, Contrast, Variation, Emphasis and Gradation with both classic instruments and LED lighting
● Understand the language of color: Hue, Value, Chroma, Additive/ Subtractive Mixing
● Help produce CNS events such as fall play, spring musical and the Talent Show
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) work outside of school, with local lighting companies
● Learn computer-aided drafting using industry software: Vectorworks
● Learn how to light actors, the acting area and background using different angles/ directional light
● Use state of the art instruments such moving head lights and other automated LED lighting
● Learn workplace safety in regards to electricity, lasers, and other special effects
● Design light plots, hang lights, run power and DMX, focus lights and run shows
● Take a tour of Syracuse Scenery and Stage Lighting (SSSL)
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL
TECHNICAL DIRECTION & PRODUCTION (2027-2028)
20 Weeks | 1/2 Credit | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Course Number: 0659
Prerequisites: Enrolled in the 4D Productions program OR completion of the following 3 courses: Introduction to Technical Theatre, Scenic Design and Show Control.
Students will design and enhance the live events that take place in our secondary school auditoriums, including our Talent Shows, Concerts and Drama offerings. Learning the fundamentals of organization, purpose and professionalism, students will build upon relevant technological skills in staging, lighting, sound and video. Participants will thoroughly train on a specific crew’s equipment, and successfully work several events during the year.
Students will:
● Have hands-on instruction for authentic experiences in their field
● Work on making designs into a reality for large audiences to enjoy
● Take control of their learning and develop individualized projects for approval
● Run the CNS and JHS Auditorium, learning new skills to foster growth
● Work on short and long-term plans for the spaces, including implementing new technology
● Practice employability skills: adapting to change, taking constructive criticism, safety
● Work on the specific industry skills for possible employment in the field
● Use software such as Studio One, Premiere Pro, Photoshop and CAD
● Accomplish and train on the design steps of: Research, Incubation
● Tour the LeMoyne College Visual and Performing Arts Center in April
● Build an impressive resume of work experiences for college
● Have opportunities to land (paid/ unpaid) work with local businesses and production companies
An additional ½ credit can be awarded to students completing 150 hours of WBL.
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