Design & Production Core Curriculum

This serves as the primary “lab course” for the Academy Theatre Division, allowing students to utilize the skills that they are evolving in their other theatre curricular offerings. Division students actively participate in all facets of the practical preparation of theatrical productions to be presented to audiences of the school community as well as the general public.

This course is an introduction to the artistic self.  Students will develop and access a deeper understanding of who they are as human beings, as artists, as teachers, and community members.  The weekly topics of discussion will include but are not limited to personal wellness, time management, physical preparedness, artistic freedom, and relevant technical theatre topics.

Theatre History is a critical thinking and reading class that is designed to set a foundation for students to have a true appreciation for dramatic literature. This is a year-long course that should be taken in the full, two-semester sequence. This course is required of all new 9th and 10th grade students in the Acting track, and is highly recommended for all 11th and 12th grade students in the Acting track.

Fundamentals of Design is structured to provide students with the skills required to research, analyze and communicate theatrical design ideas in Sets, Lights and Costumes. Students will gain experience in the basic graphic techniques used by design professionals including freehand sketching and thumbnail drawing, figure drawing and watercolor painting, drafting in scale and mechanical perspective drawing. Study of design process and objectives and the nature of the collaborative environment will also be examined along with contemporary design and designers.

This course is an introduction to theatrical stage management.  Students will develop and access an empathetic approach to stage management and communication, focusing primarily on the techniques of interpersonal communication (written and verbal), collaboration, organization, and production.  The topics will include but are not limited to script analysis, document design, rehearsals, and all technical aspects of production.  The approach to stage management as defined in this course will serve as the foundation from which to manage any style of live performance production.

This course introduces and explores present theory and application of two-dimensional and three dimensional makeup for the stage.  This course is structured as lecture / demonstration and lab employing the principles of stage makeup, the variety of materials available and the application of these materials. The course is designed to help the student (both actor and makeup artist) build a working knowledge of broad based application procedures, materials and techniques, and the principles of characterization allowing for the development, planning, and execution of character based makeup designs.

This course introduces and explores the present theory and application of theatre technology.  This course is structured as a lecture, demonstration, and hands-on lab employing the principles and techniques of set construction, scenic painting, lighting, and Audio. One of the main goals of this course is to generate enthusiasm for and an understanding of the crafts which constitute this unique medium of our artistic expression.  Moreover, this course is designed so that you will be able to walk onto the stage on day one of a professional load-in and be safe and be a useful member of the crew.  This course engages the student critically regarding production methods and trains them to think creatively about theatre as an art form.

This course serves as an introduction to the discipline of costume design. Students will focus on the fundamentals of costume design including costume and fashion history, elements and principles of design, the design process, dramatic script analysis, and the creation of a design statement, designer drawings, renderings, and other collaborative communications.