Theatre Arts

THEATRE ARTS

The Theatre Arts Program offers a wide variety of courses and paths of study aligned with each of the different aspects of theatre production, from Stagecraft and Lighting to Design, Acting, and Directing, as well as IB Theatre Arts, and more. Brief descriptions of each set of courses are provided below. 

THEATRE ARTS, ACTING, THEATRE PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS & INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS ADVANCED

Both Intro to Theatre Arts and Intro to Theatre Arts Advanced are open to Grades 9-12; however, the Advanced course requires teacher approval. Both courses study the elements and principles of theatre through the exploration of basic theatre skills in acting, literature, design, and theory. This course also includes a survey of theatre history from ancient to modern times and the study of play production from playwright to producer. Students will be required to spend time outside the school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. This course will satisfy a fine arts requirement. 

THEATRE II - ACTING

This course is open to students, in Grades 10-12, who are interested in continuing their Theatre study; completion of the Intro to Theatre Arts course is required prior to taking this class. In this course, students will examine Improvisation, Audition Process, Monologues, Duets & Group Scenes, Theatre History, Movement, Voice & Diction, Playwriting, Shakespeare, Theatre Literature, and some Stagecraft and Design elements. Students may choose to participate in public performances. 

THEATRE III - DIRECTING I 

This is an independent study course, open only to students in Grades 11-12, and requires both completion of Theatre II and a teacher recommendation. Directing involves the study and practice of the fundamentals of stage directing: composition, picturization, movement, gesture, and unit structure. Practical application will be gained in directing projects and scenes. Students will be required to spend time outside the normal school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. 

THEATRE IV - DRAMATIC LITERATURE THEATRE 

This course is open only to students in Grades 11-12 and requires teacher approval. The course is divided into two major areas of study:  first semester will include a study of sociological, psychological, aesthetic, and critical influences upon the dramatic structure of the play script from Aristotle to the present; second semester will include a study of Twentieth Century Theatre and plays from Ibsen to current Broadway plays will be studied. 

ACTING I, ACTING II, and ACTING III ADVANCED ACTING

Acting courses are open to Grades 10-12 and each course has a prerequisite course, beginning with Intro to Theatre Arts for Acting I, followed by each subsequent course for each level; all courses require audition. These courses take an analytical approach to the actor's art with emphasis on the techniques of characterization. All courses explore acting in relation to periods of dramatic literature and cultural influences and study advanced historical and modern acting pieces. Students are required to participate in public performances and to spend time outside the school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class.

THEATRE PRODUCTION I-IV

Theatre Production courses are leveled by grade and/ or experience: Level I is open to Grades 9-12; Level II is open to Grades 10-12 and requires completion of Level I; Level III is open to Grades 11-12 and requires completion of Level II; and Level IV is only open to Grade 12 and requires completion of Level III. Each course level requires that a wider range of responsibilities, knowledge, and skills as well as higher expectations are met. These courses involve the history and study of the production of theatrical props and scenery. Practical applications are gained through work on departmental productions. Students will be required to spend time outside the school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. 

Students involved in Theatre Production classes who are participating in a minimum of 100 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise may receive 1 credit of PE. This PE substitution can only be done 1 time and cannot be repeated. Students must be enrolled in a Theatre Production course and must participate in all of the Theatre Production coursework for both semesters in order to receive PE credit. 

IB THEATRE ARTS

IB THEATRE ARTS (Standard Level) 

Prerequisite: teacher approval Grade Level: 11–12 

IB Theatre Arts is offered in two levels (Standard, Grades 11-12) or Higher (Grade 12). Students may combine the advanced level Theatre Art classes into a composite program that prepares them for the IB subject test. This course and evaluation may be used as the sixth subject for the IB diploma. Students will be required to spend time outside the school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. 

TECHNICAL THEATRE 

TECHNICAL THEATRE I, II, III, & IV - STAGECRAFT 

These courses are sequential and each level requires the prior level as a prerequisite, as well as teacher recommendation. Each level is also only open to specific grade levels: Level I is open to Grades 9-12; Level II is open to Grades 10-12; Level III is open to Grades 11-12; and Level IV is open only to Grade 12. These classes introduce and develop skills and techniques in modern staging, staging equipment, scenery and properties construction as well as some basic lighting skills, sound skills, costuming, makeup, set design, and theatrical rigging. Students will be required to spend time outside the normal school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. Students will be required to pass a safety exam and sign a safety contract. Failure to pass this exam and/or abide by the safety contract may result in removal from the course. A supply fee of $25.00 will be charged for this class (students with financial concerns may consult with the teacher for payment plans or other arrangements). 

TECHNICAL THEATRE II, III, & IV - LIGHTING 

These courses require teacher recommendation and completion of either Intro to Theatre Arts or Stagecraft I and are otherwise sequential, each level requiring the prior level as a prerequisite. Each level is also only open to specific grade levels: Level II is open to Grades 10-12; Level III is open to Grades 11-12; and Level IV is open only to Grade 12. These courses introduce and develop principles and procedures in designing and executing production lighting. Students will study methods and materials of stage lighting, with emphasis on the study of the functions and qualities of light, instruments, control equipment, and procedure. Studies will include both robotic lighting as well as traditional stage lighting. Students will be required to design and participate in theatrical productions as well as other fine art productions throughout the school year. 

TECHNICAL THEATRE II, III, & IV – DRAMATIC DESIGN 

These courses require teacher recommendation and completion of either Intro to Theatre Arts, Theatre Production I, or Stagecraft I and are otherwise sequential, each level requiring the prior level as a prerequisite. Each level is also only open to specific grade levels: Level II is open to Grades 10-12; Level III is open to Grades 11-12; and Level IV is open only to Grade 12. These courses study the history and and develop the techniques of theatrical makeup, costuming, staging, and lighting. Practical applications are gained through work on departmental and community productions. Students will be required to spend time outside the normal school day and on weekends to fulfill the requirements for credit for this class. 

PARTNERS IN THEATRE ARTS

PARTNERS IN THEATRE ARTS PEER TUTOR – THEATRE II, III, IV 

These courses require an application process and completion of either Intro to Theatre Arts or Stagecraft I and are only open to Grades 10-12. This is a success-oriented theatre arts program that features supervised peer tutors and individualized learning and instruction. The focus of the program is to encourage a variety of theatre arts activities, increase knowledge of theatre history, acting, and stagecraft. These courses address the unique education needs of students with a variety of disabilities in a setting that allows them to have positive interaction with peers, achieve success, improve social skills and build self-esteem. Peers need to be encouraging at all times. Students must submit an application to become a peer tutor. Parents and students must sign a permission form allowing the student to become a Peer Tutor. 

PARTNERS IN THEATRE ARTS I, II, III, IV 

These courses are open only to students enrolled in a self-contained program, Grades 9-12. This is a success-oriented theatre arts program featuring supervised peer tutors and individualized learning instruction. The focus of this program is on students with disabilities, peer teaching and individualized instruction, expanded curriculum, and to create a more inclusive school environment. These courses are designed to meet the unique education needs of students with disabilities who cannot meet the TEKS requirements of regular theatre arts because of physical, social, emotional, or behavioral limitations. These courses are taught by a regular theatre arts teacher and will encourage a variety of theatre arts activities, increase knowledge of theatre history, acting, and stagecraft. Students will be given performance opportunities during the year, based on course curriculum.