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Course Description
Course Description
“As learners become involved in theatre, they extend their abilities to communicate. Theatre content becomes a stimulus for cognitive development through problem solving and creative thinking. As students perceive, comprehend, imagine, and evaluate, they develop interpretive, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Integrating theatre knowledge and skills also helps learners’ development and enhances their critical thinking abilities.” (Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts, CEDFA.org)
Building upon the foundational skills developed in Theatre 1, this intermediate course delves deeper into the art of theatre, challenging students to refine their performance techniques and expand their understanding of theatrical styles and play production. Students will engage in a rigorous exploration of acting methods, character development, and ensemble work, while also analyzing how theatre communicates cultural and social narratives. Emphasizing the MYP focus on inquiry and reflection, students will document their creative process through reflective journaling and class discussions. Performance opportunities will include individual and group presentations, staged scenes, and devised theatre pieces, enabling students to apply their growing skill set in more complex and nuanced ways. Prerequisite: Theatre 1 or teacher recommendation.
CLICK HERE for the course syllabus.
Performance Opportunities
Performance Opportunities
Theatre 2 students have multiple opportunities to showcase their skills and deepen their performance experience throughout the year. In October, students can participate in Spotlight Supper, a dinner theatre production in the Edgewood Event Center. In November, they will present a Fall Class Showcase in the Q105 Studio Theatre, featuring a range of devised and scripted work. By audition, students can also take part in the Drama Club’s Spring Musical, performed in March. In April, Theatre 2 students may present scenes or monologues at the NEHS Shakespeare Festival, exploring classical and contemporary texts. Additional performance opportunities include school rallies, lunchtime improv, and in-class presentations, allowing students to refine their craft in varied formats and audiences.
Units of Study
Units of Study
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
Yes And…. (Advanced Improvisation)
Building a Character (Advanced Scene Study)
The Show You Know* (Topic Varies per the Fall Showcase Title)
Fall Semester
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Spring Semester
The Power of Choice (Advanced Acting Techniques and Theory)
Behind the Mask* (Commedia dell'Arte)
All the World’s a Stage* (Shakespeare in Performance)
Behind the Curtain (Playwriting)
*Unit topics in Theatre 2 are designed to rotate annually, allowing students to retake the course for elective credit without repeating content. For example, in the “Behind the Mask” unit, one year may focus on the stock characters of Commedia dell’arte, while the following year explores the symbolic masks of Noh Theatre. This structure ensures that students continue to build upon their theatrical knowledge and skills while encountering new forms, techniques, and cultural perspectives.
In addition to rotating unit topics, Theatre 2 emphasizes student choice in project work, ensuring that each learning experience is unique. Whether selecting monologues, devising original scenes, or exploring design concepts, students have the opportunity to personalize their creative work, making every unit distinct even when retaking the course. This approach fosters deeper exploration of theatre arts, encouraging students to challenge themselves with new roles, styles, and perspectives each time they enroll.
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