Gr 12 |6 Credits | Year-Long | 5x per Cycle 

*PREREQUISITE: Foundation of Acting and Improv, Actors' Workshop, Acting and Play Study

In the Advanced Acting course, students delve into the multifaceted world of contemporary theater. They

are guided in honing their skills as actors, directors, designers, and playwrights. Students enhance their

foundational abilities in body, mind, and voice by exploring established acting techniques. The acting training

provided is tailored to prepare students for various auditions, including those for college admissions, scholarships,

and festivals. Additionally, students engage in playwriting, crafting one-act plays and several 10-minute plays,

culminating in developing a play for the final performance. Their work in playwriting extends beyond the

classroom, with submissions to playwriting competitions.

Furthermore, students delve into directing and design, utilizing original plays generated within the class.

Throughout the course, all students actively participate in every aspect of production and performance,

fostering a comprehensive understanding of the theatrical process.

Extra-Curricular: Company One meets weekly in the little theater. The theater arts ensemble produces three main

stage productions, which may include a musical, a play and an entry into the Massachusetts Educational Theater

Guild one act competition each year. This student organization also promotes and supports theater at our middle

school, as well as takes an annual trip, and produces a senior cabaret as a part of the annual Awards Night held at

the end of the year.

Essential Skills

The Wellesley Public Schools Performing Arts Program offers a comprehensive program of experiences for all students. Courses offered through the Performing Arts are grounded in the Massachusetts State Arts Framework Essential Skills and Standards; Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. 

Acting Courses Essential Skills:

Creating:      

• Students will organize and develop artistic ideas and work through an Artists’ Journal.  

• Students will refine and complete artistic works.

Performing:  

• Students will select, analyze and interpret artistic work for presentation through Scene Study and Monologue work.

• Students will convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work through the devising of original plays

• Students will develop and refine artistic techniques and work for the presentation of student-directed One Act Plays

Responding:

• Students will interpret intent and meaning in artistic work by reading plays presented at WHS and analyzing the text and then attending the performances. 

Connecting: 

• Students will relate artistic ideas and works to societal, cultural, and historical contexts to deepen understanding through the study of Social Justice and Documentary Theatre