In this class, we will examine the work of global theater artists who have used theater to entertain, to educate, to heal, to protest, and to challenge their communities. Students will study the artists' frame of reference, read representative texts and then embark on their own projects inspired by the featured artists' work. Projects will involve acting, design, script writing, improvisation, movement, and more. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of how the components of production come together to communicate meaning to an audience.

The first semester of this class examines physical approaches to effective acting using techniques from Viewpoints, Hendricks-style devising, Spolin Games, Suzuki, and more. The second semester focuses on text analysis and psychological approaches, beginning with an introduction to Konstantin Stanislavsky's theories and practice, and moving on to the work of Sanford Meisner and Uta Hagen. Through scene study, exercises and monologues, we will examine how Stanislavsky's ideas changed over time, and explore the teachings of artists who were inspired by his work to forge their own techniques for creating effective performances on stage.

A continuation of the analytical/psychological semester of Acting Fundamentals, this is a scene study class that will help actors continue to develop their ability to identify and use beats and objectives, understand how more precise verb tactics can help create effective moments on stage. We will use a variety of scenes from the modern theater, culminating in a staged reading of the 10 minute plays written by the playwrighting class for The Festival of New Works.

A continuation of the physical/experimental semester of Acting Fundamentals, students in this ensemble-based course will engage in exercises, games, and improvisations around physical expression and connection. In addition to rehearsing and presenting a piece of experimental theater for the school community in January, students will participate in the staged reading of the 10 minute plays written by the playwrighting class for The Festival of New Works at the end of the year.

Shake the dust off of Shakespeare and learn just how exciting, exhilarating, and modern his language can feel. We will learn a number of techniques to break down the text (no paraphrasing allowed!) and bring scripts to full-blooded, joyful life. This class will continue our work in Linklater Voice, and will also involve a lot of movement. We will work on both scenes and monologues, with a culminating final project inspired by Original Practice.

We'll start in an empty room, and from there build an ensemble of collaborative players who will create an original piece of theater with a point of view and the goal to connect with our audiences. Along the way, we'll explore design, directing, script writing, and any other skills we need to build our show. Previous shows from this class have examined intersectionality and identity, ghost stories, and academic pressure.

In this course students will gain experience creating characters, writing dynamic scenes, and learning how to use the elements of live theater to move their audiences. Using Liz Lerman's Critical Response Technique, the class will provide feedback for each other as each writer hones and crafts several 10 minute plays. Our culminating project is a staged reading of scripts generated by the class in the year-end Festival of New Works. 

Students in this class will split time in the first semester between learning design fundamentals and assisting with practical projects for the current MainStage shows. Second semester, students will work solo or in pairs to costume a student-directed play for Spring Shorts while continuing to build both practical and design vocabulary and skills. You do not need to know how to sew; the class will learn hand sewing, machine stitching, serging, as well as silk screening, ironing, fabric dyeing, and any other techniques we might need to bring the seasons' designs to life.

Introduction to Directing

Movement for the Theater

The Sword and the Script

Production Ensemble

Introduction to Design

American Literature

Senior Elective: Modern Drama

Senior Elective: Shakespeare

English 9

Creative Writing: Prose