Theatre Arts

Department Overview

DESCRIPTION OF EXCELLENCE

Students cultivate their God-given creative talents through involvement in theoretical and practical aspects of theatre arts. Training explores a variety of performance methods, design techniques, and industry standards for the creation of theatre while facilitating regular application of Christian values to artistic expression.

DISTINCTIVE EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Our progressive arts training program is one of the finest in the US, recognized by Stage Directions Magazine as one of the top 6 theatre programs in the country (2009). In 2014, the production of Into the Woods swept the California Musical Theatre Honors Program, winning Best Overall Production, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Our 2022 production of The Addams Family garnered a Best Overall Production nomination at the Rita Moreno Awards/California Musical Theatre Honors Program, as well as a Best Actress nomination. Diverse curriculum and a state-of-the-art theatre facility provide students with hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre production, including performance, costumes, properties, lighting, sound, and production management.

Theatre I

This course introduces students to the foundational aspects of Basic Acting, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre, with an emphasis on musical theatre. Students will build self-confidence both on stage and off, focusing on the exploration of acting styles, choreography, and vocal performance through exercises, monologues, scenes, and ensemble work. They will also study the fundamentals of voice and physical performance for Musical Theatre, along with audition techniques and etiquette. Dance work will focus on styles of dance for Musical Theatre. Additionally, students will be introduced to all areas of Theatrical Design & Technology, and will receive practical, hands-on experience in Technical Theatre. 

Additional Expectations: Some time outside of course is required, including 10 tech hours each semester.

Theatre II

Theatre II offers a more in-depth approach to acting styles & methods, and the specific genres of theatre over the course of history. Students will examine and participate in acting exercises that focus on world theatre history, learn different styles of acting and design that pertain/are related to these styles/eras, and work together to create, rehearse, and perform group work, scenes, and monologues within these eras. Class time will be spent honing these skills and working collaboratively.

Additional Expectations: Some time outside of course is required. Students will be required to complete tech hours each semester.

Theatre III

Theatre III investigates and develops an intimate working knowledge of theatrical performance. Students continue to explore styles, methods, and genres through academic study and active presentation of assigned projects. Coursework includes further study of voice, physical theatre, mental awareness, and theatrical styles. Ample class time will be given for scene/monologue work, which will comprise a major portion of the curriculum, as will script analysis, audition techniques, and production performance. Theatre III students are automatically cast and required to participate in EXPERIMENTS IN COMEDY & TRAGEDY our annual student-produced and directed production, performed for one weekend in April/May.

Additional Expectations: Some time outside of course is required. Students will be required to complete tech hours each semester.

Theatre IV (H)

This is an intensive upper-level elective that concerns itself with advanced performance, design, and production for the theatre. Students are expected to have already developed a working knowledge of both stagecraft and the art of theatre. This course focuses on further developing these skills, culminating in the ability to apply theatrical performance & design to productions created by the class. Students continue to develop advanced skills in acting, producing, and directing, as well as developing necessary collaborative production skills. Students also study, critique, and emulate both classical and contemporary professional design & performances. They are expected to know how to read a script, analyze its thematic structures, discern metaphoric patterns, understand the use of classical symbols, and create & execute design concepts that accurately reflect these practices. In addition, students who have proven their aptitude in the dramatic arts are given the opportunity to create theatre in a professional environment. Students will collaborate to create “Brown Bag” lunchtime one-act performances: conceived, designed, and performed by Theatre III, Theatre IV (H), and Technical Theatre III (H) students. This course culminates in the creation of a full-length, student-produced, -designed, and -directed evening of theatre called EXPERIMENTS IN COMEDY & TRAGEDY. Participation in this production is mandatory.

Additional expectations: Students are required to participate in lunchtime performances and afternoon/evening rehearsals & performances for EXPERIMENTS IN COMEDY & TRAGEDY as needed. It is expected that these students will take on leadership roles in VCHS mainstage productions as well.

Technical Theatre I

This course introduces students to the foundational aspects of Technical Theatre. Students will explore all areas of technical theatre, offering practical, hands-on experience in the design and execution of scenery, lighting, sound, makeup, and costumes. Students will become familiar with the basic components, tools, and theory of technical theatre, including safety, construction, and maintenance of theatre sets and facilities.

Additional Expectations: Some time outside of course is required.

Technical Theatre II

This course leads students to develop an intermediate understanding of technical theatre and theatrical design. Students continue to develop practical skills in the design and execution of scenery, lighting, sound, make-up, and costumes. This course may also introduce students to the fundamentals of metalwork and welding, while further developing knowledge of the components, tools, and theory of technical theatre. Coursework applies intermediate techniques of design, drafting, and set construction, focusing on computer design software in all technical areas. Practical experience is gained through the design, construction, and maintenance of theatre sets and facilities.

Additional Expectations: Some time outside of course is required.

Technical Theatre III (H)

This is an intensive upper-level elective that concerns itself with advanced performance, design, and production for the theatre. Students are expected to have already developed a working knowledge of both stagecraft and the art of theatre. This course focuses on further developing these skills, culminating in the ability to apply theatrical performance & design to productions created by the class. Students continue to develop advanced skills in stage management, woodworking, metalworking, set design, prop design, costume design, stage makeup, stage lighting, and sound design, as well as developing necessary collaborative production skills. Students also study, critique, and emulate both classical and contemporary professional design & performances. They are expected to know how to read a script, analyze its thematic structures, discern metaphoric patterns, understand the use of classical symbols, and create & execute design concepts that accurately reflect these practices. In addition, students who have proven their aptitude in the dramatic arts are given the opportunity to create theatre in a professional environment. Students will collaborate to create “Brown Bag” lunchtime one-act performances: conceived, produced, designed, and performed by Theatre III, Theatre IV (H), and Technical Theatre III (H) students. This course culminates in the creation of a full-length, student-produced, -designed, and -directed evening of theatre called EXPERIMENTS IN COMEDY & TRAGEDY.

Additional Expectations: Students are required to participate in lunchtime performances and afternoon/evening rehearsals & performances for EXPERIMENTS IN COMEDY & TRAGEDY as needed. It is expected that these students will take on leadership roles in VCHS mainstage productions as well.

Technical Theatre IV (H)

This is an intensive, upper-level elective that concerns itself with the design process of the different productions offered throughout the year. Students learn to apply knowledge acquired during prerequisite courses in project-based opportunities. Students work closely with both the directors and technical directors on various shows to produce the necessary designs used during the production process. The course offers students experience in set, prop, lighting, and video design and development. Students are expected to work in a professional environment, attend production meetings, and provide necessary materials, information, and design work on a given schedule. The opportunity allows students to develop the design portfolios and resumes that can be used for career and college advancement.

Additional Expectations: Additional work outside of class is required.