About the Career Tech & Business Department
At TSA we offer opportunities that prepare students for the real world. Our Career Tech & Business Department trains students from everything from retail operations (thanks to the help of our school store) to professional artistic jobs including work as a graphic designer or video editor.
Course Descriptions
Performing Arts
There is a wide array of professions in industries related to arts and communications, and skills related to the business of the arts translate into many fields of business. From event management to tracking expenses, students learn the business side of visual, media and performing arts. Topics include marketing, branding, producing, promoting, booking, budgeting and merchandising, etc. Students learn and apply intellectual property rights, licensing, copyright, royalties, liabilities and contractual agreements. They learn how both profit and non-profit organizations businesses operate, and explore career options in and outside of the arts.
In this career exploration course, students examine how music, dance and theatre disciplines connect to create a production. They compare and contrast different genre, social contexts and cultural aspects of dance, music and theatre throughout history. They learn the role of stagecraft and technical production, including new and emerging technology.
Continuing with techniques and influences of various modern dancers, this class provides advanced training including: Technique, Progressions, Partnering/Acro, Choreography, Apparatus work- Chairs, Boxes etc
Prerequisite: Prior training in Modern and Ballet or Intermediate Modern. An audition is also required.
This course is offered to the most advanced dance students in the styles of jazz, contemporary, musical theater and choreography. These students dance for two hours a day, and perform in many productions throughout the year. Very dance intense class with warm-ups and technique- high level of dedication required. Must audition and be approved by teacher to enroll.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Stage. Must be a versatile dancer in the styles of jazz and contemporary. An audition is also required.
This ensemble class develops playing proficiency and includes several performance opportunities for high school level wind players. Band students will learn professional skills needed as woodwind and brass performers in concert band, studio/symphony orchestra, jazz/pop combo, small ensembles, and as soloists. Students are encouraged to continue performing as college or professional players. Public performance is a major requirement of the course.
This ensemble class develops playing proficiency and includes several performance opportunities for high school level string players. String Orchestra students will learn professional skills needed as string performers in a string orchestra, studio/symphony orchestra, jazz/pop combo, small ensembles, and as soloists. Students are encouraged to continue performing as college or professional level players. Public performance is a major requirement of the course.
Prerequisite: Audition required.
Fees: Travel and event fees apply as warranted
The scope of this course is large. While in Advanced Percussion you will study all of the techniques that are commonly utilized as a professional percussionist. In addition to daily rehearsals, you will also be responsible for a weekly private lesson during which you will study solo techniques and dedicate private time to some of the more challenging passages in your current ensemble literature.
Prerequisite: Audition required
In this course, we will study and perform percussion music that is not rooted in western culture. It is my intent that student that take this class not only understand how to play non-western percussion instruments, but that they also understand the roles of ethnic percussion in western musical environment. In this class, there will be heavy emphasis on steel drum performance, but we will also perform and discuss other areas of non-western percussion.
Prerequisite: Audition Required
Intermediate Jazz Combo is for advanced players who are new to Jazz. Subjects covered are Improvisation, accompanying in the various Jazz styles, music theory (required for improvisation), history of jazz.
The group plays a minimum of three concerts with the Advanced Jazz Combo. Outreach performances are also possible depending on achievement level and availability.
Prerequisite: Advanced Guitar or by audition.
Advanced Jazz Combo develops the skills to perform on the professional level. Music theory, advanced improvisation, accompaniment, and the practical skills needed to perform for the public are covered and mastered. Jazz repertoire is also built. There are a minimum of three concerts with the Intermediate Jazz Combo. In addition, there are many outreach performances outside of school for the public. Most of our Advanced Jazz students are able to play professionally!
Prerequisite: Intermediate Jazz Combo or by audition
Advanced Guitar moves into more complex songs, multi-part guitar ensembles, and more advanced improvisation. Successful players can move to the Jazz and Pop Combos in the Commercial Music Program or repeat Advanced Guitar. The music and skills covered in the class enable new material even if taken multiple times!
The Guitar Classes Concerts will feature the class and also a Jazz Guitar Ensemble if the students audition successfully!
Prerequisite: Intermediate Guitar or Audition
This course builds on the basic Theatre foundation with emphasis on character development, audition preparation, building a repertoire of appropriate material, text analysis and play reading Advanced Acting: The culminating course for TSA acting students, the course includes performing and directing projects and the presentation of a comprehensive portfolio.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre Arts 2
Advanced Acting is the culminating course for TSA acting students. The course includes performing and directing projects, the opportunity to visit New York City, and the presentation of a comprehensive portfolio that is both digital and physical. Students looking to receive a theatre certificate will complete a senior project that consists of 15 minutes of their own work, performed in front of an audience.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intermediate Acting
Students will work on solo performances, duets and a staged-reading of a musical as well as studying musical theatre history across many decades, genres and significant composers and lyricists.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre Arts 2
A class for students interested in the technical and backstage world. Students will be provided with a basic knowledge of many technical theatre elements in a hands-on approach.
This course introduces advanced theatre students to design within theatrical and commercial productions. The students explore the facets of scenic, lighting, and sound design.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Production Technology
Costume Tech introduces the student to hand sewing, machine sewing, serging, basic costume design, renderings, and other costumer’s possibilities. Students will Complete at least four projects over the course of the year. Some time will be dedicated to working on TSA productions as needed. Being on a tech crew is strongly suggested as part of the course. If not possible, alternate assignments will be completed.
The goal of this course is to prepare students for a collegiate level film studies and production course. In blending theory with technique, the students learn to create independent and collaborative videos using Final Cut Pro X and a variety of digital devices. With a focus on the relationship between form and content, students gain the understanding of critical analysis and cinematic expression by means of discussions, essays/reviews and the creation of various kinds of videos.
Due to minimal equipment/software, class size is limited.
Visual Design and Imaging
This is a broad spectrum course that will teach software and hardware use through a variety of projects. Students will gain exposure to Adobe Design software, print and scanning hardware, and technical processes used in the design industry. Beginning students will be spending the first year learning Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. They will be applying their creativity to build conceptual development skills. General topics explored will include graphic print design, typography, and the use of digital photography, scanners and printers. Students will be working on projects that enhance their knowledge of typography, composition, components and conceptual processes which will include logo design, packaging design, poster design and a variety of projects that will enhance the creation of these products.
Prerequisite: Either successful completion of Foundations or 3 years of visual art electives in grades 6-8.
Building on their Design 1 experience, students will gain greater exposure to the use of software, hardware, and technical processes used in the design industry as well as working with clients while applying their creativity and building conceptual development skills. General topics explored will include graphic print design and typography along with the use of digital photography, scanners and printers. Students will be working on projects that enhance their knowledge of typography, composition, components and conceptual processes. Intermediate students will be working with clients from the school and perhaps from outside the school. This process will be invaluable as they get to interact with clients in a Design Studio Experience.
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Graphic Design 1.
Building on their Design 2 experience, students will gain exposure to a variety of design problems and experience more client interaction while applying their creativity and building conceptual development skills. General topics explored will include graphic print design and typography. They will also be working on designing for different printing processes like silkscreen as well as some printing. Advanced students will be working with clients from the Toledo area and the school. This process will be invaluable as they get to interact with clients in a Design Studio Experience.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Graphic Design 2
Visual design takes the form of charts, drawings, boxes and more. In this first course for the Visual Design and Imaging pathway, students gain a perspective of symbols, typography and product output. They acquire basic knowledge of today’s role of graphics in communication industries. Focusing on the consumer, students analyze products and create their own designs for critique. They learn how safety, deadlines, teamwork and ethics relate to the work, and explore the various careers associated with the visual arts.
The goal of this course is to prepare students for a collegiate level film studies and production course. In blending theory with technique, the students learn to create independent and collaborative videos using Final Cut Pro X and a variety of digital devices. With a focus on the relationship between form and content, students gain the understanding of critical analysis and cinematic expression by means of discussions, essays/reviews and the creation of various kinds of videos.
Due to minimal equipment/software, class size is limited.
Students explore the medium of glass, and elements of design and production. Using a variety of techniques including slumping, screen-printing, and a wide variety of glass elements, they create kiln-formed work both for their personal achievement and for sale within the school’s gallery/store. The basics of graphic design are included.
Media Arts
The goal of this course is to prepare students for a collegiate level film studies and production course. In blending theory with technique, the students learn to create independent and collaborative videos using Final Cut Pro X and a variety of digital devices. With a focus on the relationship between form and content, students gain the understanding of critical analysis and cinematic expression by means of discussions, essays/reviews and the creation of various kinds of videos.
Due to minimal equipment/software, class size is limited.
This course will further prepare students for a collegiate level film studies and production course, and for employment in the video production field. In blending theory with technique, the students learn to create independent and collaborative videos using Final Cut Pro X and a variety of digital devices. With a focus on the relationship between form and content, students gain the understanding of critical analysis and cinematic expression by means of discussions, essays/reviews and the creation of various kinds of videos. Work with community clients may be included. Class size is limited.
Prerequisite: Video Production
From script to storyboard and special effects, students develop products focused on a central theme and purpose. Using commercial and open-source digital animation software, they create an illusion of motion that extends beyond traditional frame-by-frame footage. They learn skills and techniques involving music, animation, text, voice, photos and videos. Products are adjusted for access through computers, mobile devices, game consoles, projectors, radio and TV.
Prerequisite: Video Production 2
Visual design takes the form of charts, drawings, boxes and more. In this first course for the Visual Design and Imaging pathway, students gain a perspective of symbols, typography and product output. They acquire basic knowledge of today’s role of graphics in communication industries. Focusing on the consumer, students analyze products and create their own designs for critique. They learn how safety, deadlines, teamwork and ethics relate to the work, and explore the various careers associated with the visual arts.
This is a broad spectrum course that will teach software and hardware use through a variety of projects. Students will gain exposure to Adobe Design software, print and scanning hardware, and technical processes used in the design industry. Beginning students will be spending the first year learning Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. They will be applying their creativity to build conceptual development skills. General topics explored will include graphic print design, typography, and the use of digital photography, scanners and printers. Students will be working on projects that enhance their knowledge of typography, composition, components and conceptual processes which will include logo design, packaging design, poster design and a variety of projects that will enhance the creation of these products.
Prerequisite: Either successful completion of Foundations or 3 years of visual art electives in grades 6-8.
Students begin with the basics of engineering live sound and producing music electronically. They create , capture, edit, mix, and synchronize music tracks, incorporating them into audio and video. They study acoustics, reflection, reverberation, and all of the ways recording and electronic mixes are used in commercial recordings, and how to produce those effects themselves. The studio generates recordings of student work throughout the year.