Theater Arts

The Theater Arts program features a sequential and cumulative curriculum that allows students to develop internal and external resources, explore creative potential, investigate the social and historical context in which they live, form aesthetic judgments, and experience the discipline of the artist at appropriate developmental levels.  The courses are process-oriented, primarily concerned with the integrity of the student's work.  Certain courses include a public performance piece at the conclusion of the semester.

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Theater is a required class for all fifth and sixth graders, who work collaboratively in a curriculum-based Playbuilding Program. Students work individually and in small groups, through a variety of guided theater exercises aimed at creating both group cohesion and a basic understanding of acting technique. Students are guided through a process of building their own play by reading, adapting or writing, experimenting and rehearsing a dramatized narrative text, which complements the fifth and sixth grade English and social studies curriculum.

Seventh Grade Electives

Theater is an elective class for seventh and eighth graders.

Playwriting (Fall)
This introductory class explores the basic elements of writing for the stage. Through a series of guided writing exercises we will cover (among others) the following topics: Character, Dialogue, Conflict, Setting, Creating Atmosphere, Imaginative Writing and The Importance of Rewriting. The final assignment will have each student create an original short scene for the stage. These scenes will be presented in an informal public staged reading, at the end of the semester in The Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center.

Drama Special Projects (Fall)
In the first week of this class, the instructor will offer the students a selection of topics for this class to study for the semester. The class will discuss these options and select 1-2 topics for the class to study all semester, or in 2 eight-week workshops. Possible topics could include: Improvisation, Skit Comedy, Shadow Puppetry, Shakespeare, Experimental Theater, Directing, Theater Games & Exercises, Sound Design, Auditioning Skills, Play Reading, Radio Plays, etc. Students will have the opportunity to propose their own topics.

Technical Theater (Spring) 
Students will be introduced to those basic skills necessary in constructing and designing the sets, props, lights and sound effects for a stage production. They will learn the proper use of tools, electrical and sound equipment (lights, microphones, etc.) Students will work with the technical director in creating and constructing a set and lighting design for the 7th grade production, in addition to running the sound, light and scenery crews for the performances. They will also be trained to use the light and soundboards, and other technical equipment, in the 81st St. Theater’s tech booth. The technical theater students will be called upon to implement and execute the technical needs of the 7th Grade production at the end of the semester.

Production Class (Spring)
This class is an ENTIRELY performance-based class. The director will cast students accepted into this class in acting roles to be performed in a full production in The Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center. The selection of a performance text will be based upon those students participating, and the final choice of a text will be made after the class enrollment is completed. Classes will be conducted as acting rehearsals for a final full production. Students will learn lines and staging, and work closely with the adult members of the Calhoun Theater Production Staff. (NOTE: Classes will be held during the school day at 81st St.; the additional after school rehearsals and the performances are also held at 81st St.)

     Course requirements for production class:

• Students must be available for one 6-hour rehearsal on the weekend prior to performance in mid-May.
• Students must be available for afternoon and evening technical and dress rehearsals during production week. (3rd week in May)
• Students must be available for the performances. (3rd week in May)

Eighth Grade Electives

Production Class (Fall)
This class is an ENTIRELY performance-based class. The director will cast students accepted into this class in acting roles to be performed in a full production in The Steinberg Theater at The Calhoun Lower School, 160 W. 74th St. The selection of a performance text will be based upon those students participating, and the final choice of a text will be made after the class enrollment is completed. Classes will be conducted as acting rehearsals for a final full production.  Students will learn lines and staging, and work closely with the adult members of the Calhoun Theater Production Staff.

(NOTE: Classes will be held during the school day at 81st St.; the additional after school rehearsals and the performances be held in The Steinberg Theater at The Calhoun Lower School at 160 W. 74th St.. Students are responsible for getting themselves to the 74th St. space for rehearsals.)

       Course requirements for production class:

• Students must be available for after-school rehearsals in November.
• Students must be available for two six-hour rehearsals on the two weekends prior to performance week.
• Students must be available for afternoon and evening technical, dress and performance rehearsals during production week in late November or early December.

Technical Theater (Fall)
Students will be introduced to those basic skills necessary in constructing and designing the sets, props, lights and sound effects for a stage production. They will learn the proper use of tools, electrical and sound equipment (lights, microphones, etc.) Students will work with the technical director in creating and constructing a set and lighting design for the 8th grade production, in addition to running the sound, light and scenery crews for the performances. They will also be trained to use the light and soundboards, and other technical equipment, in the 81st St. & 74th St. Theater tech booths. 8th grade tech students will be called upon throughout the year to run lights and sound for MS assemblies, in-school town meetings, performances and special events. Once trained, tech students are the only MS students allowed access to the tech booth.  The technical theater students will implement and execute the technical needs of the 8th Grade production at the 74th St. Theater at the end of November, 2009.

Drama Special Projects (Spring)
In the first week of this class, the instructor will offer the students a selection of topics for this class to study for the semester. The class will discuss these options and select 1-2 topics for the class to study all semester, or in 2 eight-week workshops.

Possible topics could include: Improvisation, Skit Comedy, Shadow Puppetry, Shakespeare, Experimental Theater, Directing, Theater Games & Exercises, Sound Design, Auditioning Skills, Play Reading, Radio Plays, etc. Students will have the opportunity to propose their own topics.

Playwriting (Spring)
This introductory class explores the basic elements of writing for the stage. Through a series of guided writing exercises we will cover (among others) the following topics: Character, Dialogue, Conflict, Setting, Creating Atmosphere, Imaginative Writing and The Importance of Rewriting.  The final assignment will have each student create an original short scene for the stage. These scenes will be presented in an informal public staged reading, at the end of the semester, in The Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center.

See the Media Gallery for scenes from past performances.