All stage productions are an outgrowth of Theater Department classes. Students in the program have the opportunity to participate in major productions as well as studio theater activities. During the eight-week period preceding a major performance, learning experiences in theater classes may reflect a curriculum related to the staging of productions. Students not enrolled in theater classes are not as well prepared to participate in such productions; however, they are invited to participate.
Students who wish to take theater and a freshman or sophomore music ensemble should register for one .5 credit/shared music ensemble and either Theater I: Acting Fundamentals (grade 9) or Theater 2: Advanced Acting (grade 10). Students will earn .5 credit for Theater and .5 credit for the music ensemble, and the period is divided equally between the two courses.
For more information, please visit the SHS Theater Department website.
1.0 credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Full-Year (4 days/week Theater; not shared with Music)
.5 credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Full-Year (2 days/week Theater; shared with Music)
.5 credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 S1 (4 days/week Theater; not shared with Music)
Prerequisite: None
Graduation Requirement Area: Visual & Performing Arts or Open Humanities
This first level course explores the fundamentals of acting as an art. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity while developing skills and taking theatrical risks. Activities include theater games geared toward achieving focus, improvisation, observation journals, and scene study. 9th grade students who wish to take Theater 1 and a freshman music ensemble should register for the full-year, .5 credit Theater 1 option where the period would then be divided equally between the two courses for the full year; students may not take the full-year, .5 credit Theater 1 course only.
1.0 credit Grades 10, 11, 12 Full-Year (4 days/week; two .5 credit Theater sections)
.5 credit Grades 10, 11, 12 Full-Year (2 days/week; alternates with free periods)
.5 credit Grades 10, 11, 12 Full-Year (2 days/week; shared with Music)
Prerequisite: Theater 1: Acting Fundamentals
Graduation Requirement Area: Visual & Performing Arts or Open Humanities
This class is for students who wish to continue their Theater studies after completing the Theater 1. Students will expand their knowledge of acting as they explore in depth the creation of unique characters in extended improvisations, monologue work, and stage fighting. Students who wish to take Theater 2 and a music ensemble should register for the full-year, .5 credit Theater 2 option. Students may take two sections of Theater 2 in the same year to earn 1.0 total credit.
1.0 credit Grades 11, 12 Full-Year (4 days/week)
Prerequisite: Theater 2: Advanced Acting
Note: This course can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval.
Graduation Requirement Area: Visual & Performing Arts or Open Humanities
A course of study for the upper-class student interested in expanding skill and knowledge in the area of acting technique and the study of theater as an art. Students will continue their journey toward creating characters, taking theatrical risk, and exploring motivation through the theories of Stanislavski and Viola Spolin. Improvisation, scene work, exploring work with masks, and study of Shakespeare will be primary activities.
1.0 credit Grades 11, 12 Full-Year (4 days/week)
Prerequisite: Theater 2: Advanced Acting
Graduation Requirement Areas: Visual & Performing Arts, Open Humanities, or Open STEAM
Note: This course can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval.
Designed for students interested in the art of direction. Students will explore scene study and problem solving from the director’s point of view. All directors will participate in the One Act Play Festival and will be eligible to direct a Studio Theater Production, although registration in the course does not guarantee a spot in the season.
.5 credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 S2
Prerequisite: None
Graduation Requirement Areas: Visual & Performing Arts or Open Humanities
This course covers the process of designing costumes for the stage. Students will learn how to analyze and research garments appropriate for a production’s period, character types, and physical stage considerations. Plays will be selected and presentation boards will be created to demonstrate students’ proposed costume designs. Sewing instruction is also provided.
.5 credit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 S2
Prerequisite: None
Graduation Requirement Areas: Visual & Performing Arts, Open Humanities, or Open STEAM
Stagecraft is designed for students interested in the technical aspects of theater. Students will focus on the role of the artist as a designer of the setting and lighting. Instruction will include set design and construction, lighting and audio. Students will be expected to work on major productions throughout the year, as well.