Theatre Arts

Theatre Exploration is an elective course that introduces students to the skills and disciplines needed to be successful as an actor or theatre technician. Through group activities, theatre games, memorized scene work, monologues, improvisation, and creative exploration, students will develop foundational acting techniques and performance skills.

The course also provides exposure to improvisational acting, audition etiquette, theatre history, and technical theatre. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, creativity, and self-expression, allowing students to gain a well-rounded introduction to both performance and behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre.

Theatre I introduces students to the fundamentals of theatre, including stage directions, theatre production roles, basic acting techniques, and theatre history. Students will learn script analysis skills and apply them as they develop foundational acting and performance techniques.

This course is designed for students who are interested in theatre and have little to no prior experience. Emphasis is placed on building confidence, collaboration, and an understanding of both onstage and backstage aspects of theatrical production.

Theatre II is designed for students who wish to build upon foundational theatre skills and improve standard acting techniques for both realistic and classical theatre. Students will refine their actor tools through structured warm-ups, character development exercises, and focused performance practice.

Instruction includes character analysis, script interpretation, and the performance of monologues and scenes. By the end of the course, students will have developed a complete audition package, including two contrasting monologues prepared for use in future auditions and performances.

Technical Theatre is a hands-on course that engages students in the tools, techniques, and processes of theatrical production. Students will assist with the construction of sets, costumes, and props for mainstage productions while gaining practical experience in backstage and production roles.

In addition to production work, students will learn to create original design concepts for theatrical productions. Through script analysis, students will develop and communicate design ideas using renderings, technical plots, and three-dimensional models, building foundational skills in scenic, costume, lighting, and prop design.

Technical Theatre II is an advanced course designed for students seeking in-depth experience in set and costume design and theatrical production leadership. Students will take an active role in building and assembling sets for mainstage productions while further developing technical and design skills.

In addition to advanced design work, students will learn stage management principles, including how to create and maintain stage management binders. The course also emphasizes leadership and organizational skills as students explore roles such as lead designer and production management for one-act plays.

Competitive Acting I focuses on the study and performance of prose, poetry, humorous, and dramatic literature, emphasizing effective oral interpretation and performance techniques for live audiences. Students will learn to analyze and present literary works through individual, duo, small group, and reader’s theatre performances.

Students enrolled in this course will be members of the novice speech team and will travel with the Speech and Debate Team to tournaments throughout the year. Participation in competition is required, with students expected to compete in a minimum of three tournaments during the fall semester and two tournaments during the spring semester.

Competitive Acting II is an advanced course focused on the study and performance of prose, poetry, humorous, and dramatic literature. Students will refine advanced methods and techniques of oral interpretation and performance for live audiences through individual, duet, small group, and reader’s theatre performances.

Students enrolled in this course will travel with the Speech and Debate Team to tournaments throughout the year and will comprise the junior varsity and varsity speech teams. Participation in competition is required, with students expected to compete in a minimum of three tournaments during the fall semester and four tournaments during the spring semester.

Competitive Acting III is an advanced, performance-based course focused on the study and presentation of prose, poetry, humorous, and dramatic literature. Students will continue to refine advanced techniques of oral interpretation and performance for live audiences through individual, duet, small group, and reader’s theatre performances.

Students enrolled in this course will travel with the Speech and Debate Team to tournaments throughout the year and will comprise the junior varsity and varsity speech teams. Participation in competition is required, with students expected to compete in a minimum of four tournaments per semester.

Competitive Acting IV is an advanced performance course focused on the study and interpretation of prose, poetry, humorous, and dramatic literature. Students will demonstrate mastery of advanced oral interpretation and performance techniques through individual, duet, small group, and reader’s theatre performances.

Students enrolled in this course will travel with the Speech and Debate Team to tournaments throughout the year and will comprise the junior varsity and varsity speech teams. Participation in competition is required, with students expected to compete in a minimum of four tournaments per semester.

Play Production (Fall) is a one-semester course designed for students interested in participating in the fall mainstage production. Students will select a design or production area of interest and be assigned a specific role on the production team.

Course expectations include completing script analysis, creating production designs, and assisting with the construction and implementation of production elements. Participation in rehearsals and production meetings outside of class time is required, reflecting the collaborative and time-sensitive nature of theatrical production.

Play Production (Spring) is a one-semester course designed for students interested in participating in the spring mainstage production. Students will select a design or production area of interest and be assigned a specific role on the production team.

Course requirements include completing script analysis, creating production designs, and assisting with the construction and implementation of production elements. Participation in rehearsals and production meetings outside of class time is required, reflecting the collaborative and time-sensitive nature of theatrical production.