Classes in the Theatre Department are taught on a college level by practicing theatre professionals and include many opportunities for students to perform. Seniors receive individualized guidance in selecting the right college, preparing for auditions, applying for scholarships and writing effective resumes. Here, students learn "the ropes" in finding the right apprenticeships and internships in various aspects of theatre, film and television. After graduating, many students attend colleges, universities or conservatories offering an advanced curriculum in theatre or technical theatre. After graduating from college, students have gone on to careers in theatre, film, television, pageants, theme parks, the circus, dance, opera and other theatrical events. Theatre-related careers include casting agent, director, film producer, production coordinator or manager, stage manager and theatrical agent. Technical theatre jobs include lighting designer, production manager, recording engineer, set designer, sound designer and producer.

 

The courses described below are typical arts offerings. Not every course is offered every year, and course descriptions may change.

 

From the scientific foundations of sound and digital recording to the new digital creative genres, this course begins the study of technological skills required of professional musicians in today’s digital age. It includes an overview of music and multimedia production techniques as well as covering the foundations of composition.

 

The intermediate course extends topics students explored in the introductory class, with an emphasis on student projects and marketing.

 

Music Production students have the opportunity to explore film scoring, orchestration and instrumentation. The courses described below are typical arts offerings. Not every course is offered every year, and course descriptions may change.

 

ACTING TECHNIQUES

Acting Techniques is a full-year course that meets once a week for 2 ½ hours and is required for all Drama and Musical Theatre majors. Students explore skills and character development in depth, and work on a variety of monologues and scenes from classic to contemporary plays, and from serious to comical works. A written character analysis is required for every monologue, scene or song that students work on.

 

ACTING TECHNIQUES FOR SENIORS

For seniors, the focus is on technique, understood through exercise and practical applications. The course includes storytelling, sensory work, solo and group exercises, improvisation and monologues.

 

AUDITION TECHNIQUES

Through this required course, seniors are equipped for college and scholarship auditions and complete their Senior Jury Projects. For auditions, students prepare and perform monologues and songs, which are critiqued by the faculty and classmates. Learning to analyze the performances of others is a major element of this class. The Senior Jury Project calls for researching and writing about a playwright, composer or lyricist and performing a selected work.

 

Students learn how to thematically create and link together material suitable for solo and/or group Cabaret performances. They are given the opportunity to find choice material from the standard, contemporary and pop catalogs to create a cabaret act suitable for both intimate settings and larger venues.

 

CREATIVE DRAMATICS/IMPROVISATION

Designed for aspiring actors in grades 9 – 11, this course allows students to explore acting techniques. In this class, the creative process stems from ideas based in improvisation (long and short form), sound and movement, and storytelling.  

 

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical Theatre is a requirement for drama and musical theatre majors, alike. Performance techniques and character development are studied in depth. Students work on a variety of songs from musical theatre shows, and are required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the play and of the character who sings the song.

 

PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP Underclassmen from dance, theatre and music combine the techniques they have learned and apply them in creation of a collaborative piece. They explore improvisation and mock combat, perform songs and original choreography from musical theatre repertoire, perform mock auditions and stage original productions.

 

PHYSICAL THEATRE

Stage combat, Commedia dell-arte, martial arts, gymnastics and improvisation bring a story and its characters to physical and emotional life on the stage. Physical Theatre flexes students creative muscles and calls upon them to learn diverse theatrical techniques.

 

This class covers a broad base of dance styles, including musical theatre, ballet, modern, jazz and tap.

 

VOCAL COMMUNICATIONS

In this course, students learn effective ways to sing and learn harmonies in an ensemble. They establish warm-up routines for practicing and performing, and learn to recognize and critique vocal techniques in themselves and others. Also covered: breathing, vocal placement, diction and singing posture.

 

Digital Music Production Track (for music, musical theatre and dance majors):

 

MUSIC PRODUCTION - INTRODUCTION

From the scientific foundations of sound and digital recording to the new digital creative genres, this course begins the study of technological skills required of professional musicians in today’s digital age. It includes an overview of music and multimedia production techniques as well as covering the foundations of composition.

 

MUSIC PRODUCTION - INTERMEDIATE

The intermediate course extends topics students explored in the introductory class, with an emphasis on student projects and marketing.

 

Advanced Music Production students have the opportunity to explore film scoring, orchestration and instrumentation.