Drama

Through theater games and activities, play-acting and improvisation, each Lower School student builds confidence in communication and performing before an audience. The capstone to each year is the Lower School Musical.

Each student participates in the Lower School Musical, giving exceptional performances to Middle School faculty and students, as well as family members and grandparents. The musical features a series of three mini-productions that have a common theme and are acted out by Grade 4 students. Students in Kindergarten – Grade 3 perform in production numbers – singing and dancing throughout the musical. But, everyone helps paint the sets and serves as a member of set crew.

Younger students have dedicated time during the school day to rehearse, while Grade 4 students also rehearsal after school hours.

Grade 5 students truly begin to explore the stage. Through pantomime, improvisation, theater games and skits – while minding clarity of voice, stage presence, movement and development of plot – students develop their own story lines and characters.

Older students in Grades 6 – 8 use theater exercises, improvisations and developed scripts to refine the skills of communication needed for everyday life, as well as the stage. They explore volume, diction, vocal and facial expression, poise and characterization.

Grade 7 students also have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the diversity of dance through observation, participation, and individual interpretation. During this six-week class, students are encouraged to explore their own skills through a variety of movements, and they may perform during Chapel.

Each year, 60 – 100 Middle School students dedicate time after school rehearsing for the Middle School musical. Because of our all-inclusive policy, each student who wants to participate, can!

Whether a student is serious about acting or simply wants to expand their horizons, all High School students are welcome to participate in drama through the Fall Musical and Winter Play. All students who audition are casted, and students whose time may be limited by other commitments, such as fall or winter sports, may participate by taking on smaller roles, working on stagecraft, manning the tech booth, and working behind the scenes.

Students may also choose from two elective courses: Theatre and Advanced Theatre. The focus of these courses is to develop acting technique through improvisations, stage movement and scene study. Modern dramatic literature and theater criticism is also introduced, and students perform individually and in small groups.

In Advanced Theater, students explore directing, monologues and one-act plays. Individual attention is given to advanced theater techniques such as stage lighting, movement, costuming and timing.