Ligon Theatre produces up to three mainstage shows each year, one all school musical and two advanced class productions. The musical goes up in the spring. The advanced class productions often happen in the fall and spring, with the one production traveling to either the North Carolina Junior Thesfest or North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC).
Ligon Middle School offers a comprehensive theatre education following the NC Course of Study
Acting I (Quarter) - In this course, students will explore characters and situations through their creative resources using theatre games and extended improvisational situations and prepared scripts. They begin to understand the proper use of voice and diction. This course includes an overview of the historical development of the actor’s art.
Acting II* (Quarter) - This course offers students the opportunity to develop acting skills at a more advanced level. Students are challenged to become disciplined in acting techniques and to go beyond the classroom to independently develop a working knowledge of acting. Voice technique is studied. Minimal memorization for a final scene is required. Prerequisite of Acting 1 or Improvisation is required.
Drama Production or Encore^ (Year) - This ensemble for our most advanced theatre students studies advanced acting technique and produces multiple productions throughout the school year. **Audition required
Improvisation (Quarter) - In this course, you will explore improvisation techniques to develop skills in spontaneous acting. Students will learn to create scenes and situations through theatre games. Students will also learn the rules of improvisation through classroom exercises and cooperative learning styles.
Playwriting (Quarter) - Learn the art of writing a play! In this course, you will study plot, characterization, theatricality, and other elements of the playwright’s craft. You will examine great playwrights from around the world and throughout time! The course functions as a playwriting workshop as students present exercises in class and discuss them with their peers. Using techniques learned, students will work on a short play that will be performed as a staged reading at the end of the course.
Puppetry (Quarter) - Learn the techniques of puppetry performance and construction! In this class, storytelling and art combine – you will learn about the history of puppetry, develop verbal expression and improvisational techniques, create puppet plays, and build your own puppets. Students will collaborate on a final puppetry play with original puppets.
Shakespeare's Theatre (Quarter) - Shakespeare’s Theatre is designed to give students the opportunity to explore the theater world of William Shakespeare’s time. Students will examine the moral and social expectations and their effect on the theatre of the time. The rehearsal and performance standards will be examined. The acting and staging techniques of the time will also be addressed. Students will learn about the theatres of the time, primarily the Globe Theatre. Students will also study some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays and concentrate on learning to understand and interpret the meaning behind the lines.
Intro to Theatre (Quarter) - Learn the basics of all aspects of theatre production! In this course you will study acting, directing, design, and playwriting. Most activities are hands-on & participation every day is expected—from Greek Theatre to a behind the scenes look at The Lion King—you will collaborate & create multiple projects while learning to develop creative skills as a theatre artist.
6th Grade Scenes (Semester) - This course allows 6th grade students an opportunity to build their acting skills through the production of a short play. Students will study acting techniques, characterization, and technical theatre through the course of the production. The class culminates in a formal performance. Elective runs during the Spring semester.
Technical Theatre I (Quarter) - Learn the basic concepts of technical theatre, including stagecraft, lighting and sound. See how the backstage work makes the onstage magic happen!
Technical Theatre II* (Quarter) - Continue the study of stagecraft with more hands on experience with scenic design and construction. An active course where students build the world of the play! Prerequisite of Technical Theatre I is required.
Technical Theatre III* (Quarter) - The real magic of theatre is created by the costume, make-up, and props! Learn to make it happen! Prerequisite of Costume and Makeup is required.
Lighting, Scenery, & Sound Design*^ (Year) - Learn how the magic of theatrical production is translated from ideas and concepts into three dimensional reality! If you can dream it –you can do it– in theatre! **Application required
Costume and Makeup (Quarter) - Learn how to make the show happen! Become a quasi-expert in the area of theatre design. This class will explore theatre costumes and make-up design. In this course students will learn about the role of the designer – most activities are hands-on and participation is expected – from make-up special effects to costume design projects – you will collaborate with your peers while learning to develop creative skills as a theatre designer.
Courses with a * require a prerequisite, Courses with a ^ require and audition/application