Theater Arts
Students who want an emphasis in Theatre Arts should consider taking this sequence of courses:
Grade 9: Theatre Arts Perspective
Grade 10: Theatre Arts I and Costume and Makeup Design
Grade 11: Theatre Arts II and American Musical Theatre or Theatre Arts Teaching Assistant
Grade 12: Theatre Arts III and Theatre Arts Teaching Assistant or Advanced Musical Theatre
829. Theatre Arts Perspective
Full Year, 10 units
Theatre Arts Perspective is designed for students interested in learning about theatre as an art form and in developing performance skills in a variety of contexts, and in relation to other art forms. Students will explore basic acting skills including pantomime and improvisation, create and perform skits, and analyze and critique live performances.
831. Theatre Arts I
Semester, 5 units, Grades 10-12
In this course, students will explore several aspects of theatre arts, including: the acting and rehearsal process, analysis of play structure, anatomy of a production, script analysis, and understanding of theatre as an art form. Students will create characters and perform scenes using improvisation and scene study techniques. Students will be required to attend local productions, write critical analyses, and read and discuss related materials.
833. Theatre Arts II
Semester, 5 units, Grades 11-12
Comment: This course meets the UC “g” requirement and may also be repeated for credit.
This course builds upon the skills and knowledge learned in Theatre Arts 1. Students will explore the different historical styles of theatre, how a play creates a “world,” and global theatre in cultural and sociological contexts. Acting techniques will encompass a broader range of styles in tandem with historical exploration. Students will learn basic directing skills, and will utilize both acting and directing skills in class presentations and in cocurricular projects for outside the school community.
837. Theatre Arts III - Play Analysis and Direction
Semester, 5 units, Grades 11-12
Students enrolled in this course will approach dramatic literature and play production from the director’s perspective. The many roles and functions of the director in production will be studied by learning various directing techniques, effective communication with actors, how to shape dramatic action, research and design, how to use space, and how to develop the “world of the play.” Students will direct scenes from published plays, attend local productions, and meet with professional theatre artists.
834. Theatre Arts Teaching Assistant
Semester, 5 units, Pass/Fail, Grades 11-12
This course is for students interested in theatre directing and instruction. Teaching assistants will work with beginning theatre arts students and Theatre Arts 1 classes by working with the instructor to help plan and teach lessons, create and direct class projects, lead group discussions, and evaluate student work.
842. Film Appreciation
Semester, 5 units, Grades 10-12
This course will teach the fundamentals and aesthetics of filmmaking. Students will learn the art of motion picture storytelling by studying the artistic and technical aspects of the medium. Film history, technical analysis and criticism of motion pictures and television will be explored. Attending films in local theatres is required.
836. American Musical Theatre: History and Practical Exploration
Semester, 5 units, Grades 10-12
This course, divided into two parts, is designed to examine the historical development of musical theatre in America, and to offer students opportunities to learn various performance techniques. Through choreography and vocal instruction students will prepare various selections from musicals for class projects.
838. Advanced Musical Theatre: Beyond the Classics
Semester, 5 units, Grades 11-12
This course is for students who wish to continue their exploration, appreciation, and understanding of musical theatre history and performance techniques. The course will continue from where American Musical Theatre concluded. Students will study, rehearse and perform pieces from modern and contemporary musicals, including the works of Brecht and Weill, Sondheim, Webber, and others.
840. Costume and Makeup Design for the Stage
Semester, 5 units, Grades 10-12
This course is an introduction to stage costuming and makeup. Basic design principles and theories of stage costumes and makeup and their historical development will be explored. Students will study dramatic characters and design costumes and makeup based on their research. The actual construction of costumes will not be required, but students will have practical experience in the application of stage makeup. Students are required to purchase a specified makeup kit.