The Drama Department offers instruction and practical application in the theater arts. Through the exploration of literary texts, historical contexts, and physical and vocal skills, students cultivate an appreciation of ideas, an awareness of emotions, and facility with their bodies’ expressiveness. Classes in acting, directing, technical design, , and film appreciation are available. Students also launch six to eight productions each year.

9th Grade Drama

Students will explore the work of the actor, the director, the playwright, the designer, and the theater technician through hands-on work in the theater: scene study for the actor, building a platform and a flat using the chop-saw and the screw guns for the technician, writing a short scene and exploring dramatic structure for the playwright. From the serious work of safely using power tools to the serious work of learning how to use a slap-stick (think “slap-stick comedy”) Introduction to Theater will get you out of your chairs, on your feet, on your toes.

Improvisation

This course will introduce students to the basics of Improvisation as a stand-alone art form, and acting method. Students will use the techniques developed by Del Close to perform exercises in both long and short form improvisation. They will also attend performances of professional improv teams around the city. The students’ work will culminate in an improvisation show for an invited audience. 

Independent Study

Each registrant for an individual, independent term project must submit a written proposal to the chair of the department. The proposal must be submitted at the time of registration for classes the succeeding semester. The proposal must be written in essay form and contain a description of the project, the student’s purpose, and the scope of the project. Once a student’s proposal has been approved by the department and an advisor has been determined, the student will be expected to consult with his advisor at least once a week. The advisor will use his or her own judgment regarding the length of the meetings. Oral or written interim reports may be required. Certainly, interdepartmental projects will also be considered. The same procedure should be followed as above. However, it would be advisable for the student to discuss his project with the respective department chair before submitting his proposal.

On/Off Broadway

The course takes advantage of the unique position of New York as the theatrical capital of the country. Students attend performances of professional theatre and attend weekly classes during the Clubs Period to discuss the productions.  They meet with actors, directors, and writers. Attention is also given to theater reviews and criticism. 

Play Production

Productions are open audition for 9th through 12th graders. The production crew is selected by application to the designer. Rehearsals are scheduled for after school. Performances are staged in the evenings and are open to the community.

Preparing the Actor

This course is designed to introduce the acting process to the beginning student without the responsibility of public performance. The student actors will develop the creative and collaborative techniques of the actor. They will explore the expressive use of the voice and body using improvisation and through modern and classical monologues and small scenes.

Studio Production

This course is a unique opportunity for students who are committed to after-school activities or sports that preclude them from trying out for an extracurricular play. Students in Studio Workshop Production will rehearse and mount a fully realized production, to be performed for an invited audience during the school day.

Tech Theater

Students are introduced to theater design, lighting, and set construction. The use of power tools, analog and digital lighting control systems, and the fly system are included. The course addresses the practical problems of production and the artistic questions of collaboration. All students are required to perform practical work on productions.

The Director and Designer

The course will investigate the collaborative work between the director and the designer(s) that culminates in the modern theater production. The students will take both roles. As directors, they will develop a production concept from an existing script and work with a partner acting as the designer to translate that vision to a series of concrete decisions involving materials, color, and scale. Students contemplating directing or designing a senior project play are encouraged to join