Musical Theater

This beginner drama class introduces children aged 5-7 to the exciting world of acting and storytelling. Through fun and engaging activities, students will explore the basics of improvisation, role-playing, and creative expression.

The course focuses on building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and developing imagination as children participate in interactive games, simple scenes, and movement exercises. Designed to foster a love for the performing arts, this class provides a supportive and playful environment where young actors can let their creativity shine.

This course offers non-majors an engaging introduction to the art of acting, providing an overview of fundamental techniques and styles. Students will explore improvisation, scene work, and other essential elements of performance to develop their confidence and creativity on stage.

Through hands-on exercises and collaborative projects, participants will gain insight into the basics of character development, voice, movement, and storytelling. Designed for beginners, this course emphasizes a supportive and creative environment, making it an ideal starting point for anyone curious about drama and the performing arts.

Designed for incoming third-grade students and new drama enthusiasts, this course introduces foundational principles of acting and performance.  Students are prepared for seamless entry into the Drama Technique Classes starting in the 6th grade.

Through engaging activities and studies, students will explore improvisation, monologues, scenes, voice work, and the creation of devised theatrical pieces. The curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of storytelling and equips students with essential tools and techniques for actors, fostering creativity, confidence, and a passion for the performing arts.

Prerequisite: Drama Fundamentals I

This course is designed to further equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry into the Drama Technique Classes beginning in the 6th grade. Students will engage in the study of theater history, monologues, scenes, and classical texts, as well as the creation of devised theatrical pieces.

By introducing the historical and contextual elements of storytelling, this course deepens students’ understanding of the actor’s tools and techniques, preparing them for more advanced studies in the performing arts.

Prerequisite: Drama Fundamentals II

This advanced course builds on the skills and techniques developed in Drama Fundamentals II.  The curriculum emphasizes the practical application of previously learned tools and concepts.

Students will delve into the study of Viewpoints, monologues, scenes, classical texts, and the business aspects of acting. By integrating these elements, the course equips students with the expertise and professionalism needed to excel in both performance and the broader theatrical industry.

Prerequisites - Drama Fundamentals III

 Drama Techniques I is a beginning drama  class for middle school students. Rudimentary script analysis and character development is presented in  Tech I. Scene study includes units in simple modern drama, Shakespeare, and British dialect. Students  also develop two age-appropriate modern monologues and a Shakespearean sonnet. The year concludes  with the presentation of a complete, age-appropriate ten-minute one-act play. Students are introduced to  commercial   camera acting and the vocabulary of film acting. Tech I students begin their first formal investigation of  theatre history via a study of the life of William Shakespeare. Drama Techniques I also emphasizes the  knowledge of basic theatre vocabulary and work in diction. The student in Tech I will be exposed to cold reading techniques and the reading of age-appropriate plays. 

Drama Techniques II is a mid-level drama course tailored for Middle School Drama majors, building upon foundational skills while introducing new challenges and creative opportunities. The curriculum includes scene study units focused on Shakespeare, American accents, and modern American comedy.

Students will develop audition-quality monologues, including two modern pieces and one Shakespearean selection, showcasing their growth as performers. The year concludes with the performance of an age-appropriate ten-minute one-act play, offering students practical experience in theatrical production. Additionally, students will investigate the ritualistic roots of theatre in world history, enriching their understanding of its cultural significance. Through the study of dramatic literature, students will read and analyze two modern Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, gaining insight into the art of storytelling and performance.

Primer Drama is an advanced acting class tailored for middle school Drama majors, emphasizing professionalism and modern acting techniques. The curriculum focuses on movement, scene study, monologues, and improvisation exercises. A special emphasis is placed on the study of Asian theatre forms to broaden students’ cultural and artistic perspectives.

Students will create professional-style theatrical résumés and develop a repertoire of audition-ready monologues. The course includes a two-week session with a guest instructor dedicated to Stage Combat studies, providing students with unique, hands-on training. Performances are a key component, with students showcasing their skills in two Drama Nights each year, one per semester.