Theatre Arts
Develop vocal and physical expression skills through classes in improvisation, mime, scene study and play production.
Rehearsal and performance of classic and contemporary plays, along with student-generated and original scripts, provide you with the opportunity to develop communication, collaboration and cooperation skills too.
Theater courses will give you the opportunity to:
- Collaborate with your peers while learning stage design and technology.
- Strengthen your theatrical and acting techniques while building an ensemble.
- Learn costume design with an experienced designer.
Theater Department Highlights
- The Blackbox Theatre features state-of-the-art lighting, quadrophonic sound systems and a fully-equipped scene-building shop.
- Three productions per year, a musical production every other year.
Theatre Arts Course Catalog
Middle School
Intro to Theatre
Intro to Theatre is an acting based class that will introduce students to the fundamental elements of the theatre world and to acting as a fun and creative form of expression over the course of one semester. Students will learn the language of the theatre and become familiar with its traditions and etiquette.
They will learn how to act through improvisation and scripted material. Students will develop the actor's instruments (voice, mind and body) and practice performing.
Acting for the Stage
Acting for the Stage is a semester-long course that explores the fundamentals of acting. Students will explore classical acting theory, exercises and techniques for the development of voice, speech, freedom of expression and physicality. Students will play improvisation games, practice text analysis, and experience monologue and scene work.
This course is open to all interested 7th and 8th graders and culminates in a sharing of theatre games, monologues, and scenes for an invited audience.
Musical Theatre
Musical Theater is a semester-long class that centers on building the specific skills needed to perform musical theater on stage. Students will explore acting, singing, staging, and movement as well as audition preparation, rehearsal, and performance. Students will develop stage presence, vocal techniques, and storytelling skills through creative play, while working collaboratively as an ensemble.
Musical Theatre is open to all interested 7-8th graders and culminates in an end of term sharing for an invited audience.
MS Theatre Production
This is a semester-long class for 7-8th graders who want to explore and deepen their acting skills and participate in a full rehearsal process and performance. Students will learn about the world of theatre and how to function as an actor in a show. We will perform a play or musical that will allow everyone to shine.
Some after-school rehearsals are required. If you register for this course, you will be in the show! Middle School Theatre Production prepares students to move into the Advanced Theatre Production course in upper school. Interested rising 7th & 8th graders must attend a meeting during auditions week to learn about all the exciting things that we have planned for next year.
Upper School
Acting Studio
Acting Studio is a one semester course in the tradition of major acting studios from around the world. This course meets students where they are on their artistic journey and is open to all (no experience needed)! Students will learn techniques developed by the great practitioners and innovators of acting pedagogy.
Acting Studio will help develop the complete actor focusing on voice and speech, movement, emotional connection, and intellectual understanding. Students will develop acting techniques through fun exercises and practice, along with the preparation of monologues and scenes from great classic and contemporary plays. The focus of the course is on learning how to act rather than on rehearsing a show to be performed for an audience. Students will participate in a culminating sharing of the semester’s work.
Improv
In this fast-paced, ultra-creative course, students will enter the unpredictable and thrilling world of theatrical improvisation. Improv is a one semester course where students will learn the fundamentals of improv, beginning with the all-important adage “yes, and” in which students accept (“yes”) to what they are given and expand (“and”) upon it, ultimately creating a new and unique stage performance.
Performing Improv is freeing, exciting, and fun, and teaches acting and life skills. Improvisation helps students develop intuition, focus, active listening, risk-taking, vocal and physical expression, and collaboration skills. Students will participate in a culminating sharing of the semester’s work. This class is great for beginners and open to all students.
Advanced Theatre Production
Advanced Theatre Production is a yearlong mainstage production course. An audition is required for acceptance. This course will focus on acting techniques using scenes from Shakespeare or another classical text, culminating in two workshop performances in the 401 Theatre. If you are accepted, you are guaranteed roles in both shows!
After the workshop performances, we will turn our attention to the spring mainstage production. The 2026-2027 production will be a MUSICAL! A separate Casting Audition will be held to determine individual roles. After casting, we will rehearse in class for several weeks, and then after-school rehearsals will kick in as we approach SHOWTIME! The course will culminate in a four-performance run in the 401 Theatre.
To be considered for this production course, students will need to be willing to commit to after-school rehearsals. We typically rehearse Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-6:00pm for the final six weeks before opening. Before the after-school rehearsals begin, students will be given a conflict form to indicate any foreseeable conflicts. Typical conflicts include Spring Athletics and International Trips. The conflicts indicated will be considered carefully, discussed with the student, and honored if at all possible; open communication is vital in this process.
In addition, students will be given the opportunity to indicate if they wish to be considered for a Lead, Supporting, or Ensemble role. Leads will be called to almost every rehearsal, Supporting roles will be called to fewer, and the Ensemble roles will be called least often. It is encouraged that students consider personal conflicts when selecting this course.
Costume Design I
Costume Design 1 is a yearlong course which introduces 9th-12th grade students to the fundamentals of costume design. Through demonstrations and hands-on projects, students explore the tools and techniques of costume crafts, including sewing, patterning, millinery, hair and make-up. Students in this course also support theatre performances.
Stage Craft
Stage Craft is a one semester course that introduces students to the technical and backstage roles that support a theatrical production. Students will explore techniques and best practices related to scenery, lighting, props, and sound engineering. Students will gain hands-on experience in the scene shop and discover how the elements of stage craft bring artistic visions to life.
This course provides students with a hands-on experience and behind the scenes practice in connection with the fall theatre productions.