About the Theatre Department
The Theater department at TSA offers a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum encompassing all aspects of the theater. As one of the few schools in the state with a department entirely dedicated to theater, introductory theater arts courses, acting, technical theater, and video production courses are available to all grades, and advanced theater students receive extensive instruction in acting, directing, writing, managing, and designing.
In addition to two productions each year in TSA’s own Attic Theater, students also perform three major theatre productions each year and the end-of-year variety show, Kaleidoscope, in local theater venues, giving students professional quality experiences on the stages and behind the scenes of the Toledo Rep, Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts, and the Valentine Theatre. Past TSA productions include In the Heights, Hairspray, Rent, 13, Les Miserables, Rumors, Sweeney Todd, and Anastasia.
Theatre Department in Action
Course Descriptions
Theatre
This is an introductory class required for all 6th graders with a focus on extending each student’s ability to speak in public, as well as their basic understanding of theatre as an art form. Students will accomplish this task by reading plays, improvising scenes, studying various performance aspects and learning to constructively criticize staged work. The role of the actor is also explored in this class through both written work and performance. Students will explore various theatre jobs in design, technical and creative positions, as well as be introduced to basic theatre terminology and etiquette.
This is an introductory class required for all 7th graders that builds upon their knowledge from Theatre 6. Students will extend their public speaking and performance abilities by participating in theatre movement, reading plays, improvisation, as well as learning to critique performances in a constructive manner. The role of the actor is explored in their creation and performance of an original monologue. Additionally, students will further their knowledge of theatre jobs by practicing elements of makeup, sound, lighting, costume, projection and scenic design.
A first step in pursuing Theatre as a major, the goal is to create an uniform cadre of students in both performing and technical theatre.
Theatre Arts 2 focuses on acting outside of your comfort zone. Building on the acting fundamentals from junior high or Theatre Arts 1, students explore character development, headshots and resumes, as well as expanding their monologue repertoire. Students also study theatre history in depth and often participate in the senior high one acts.
Prerequisite: Acting 1-3 in junior high or Theatre Arts 1.
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: Theatre Arts 2 & Senior Chorus
Acting
Designed to introduce 6th, 7th and 8th graders to the basics of acting: movement, vocalization, improvisation, ensemble work, character development, monologues, scene study, script analysis, Shakespeare, theatre styles and audition techniques.
Students in Acting 2 build on their knowledge from Acting 1. They explore writing and creating their own pieces, blocking notation, movement, vocalization, improv, script analysis, and monologue work. Students in Acting 2 also explore Shakespeare in depth as well as Commedia Dell’ Arte, creating original, ensemble pieces for both genres.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Acting 1
This course builds on the skills learned in Acting 1 and 2 and applies them to more performance based projects. Students will present a one act play in the Fall as well as working on a variety of self-written scene work and integration projects throughout the year.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Acting 2 or teacher discretion by 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: 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: Intermediate Acting
Design/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.
Costume Design reinforces the skills of hand sewing, machine sewing, serging, costume design, renderings, and other costumer’s possibilities. Students will research and demonstrate an understanding of the various fashion trends throughout the decades. 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. Lab hours outside of the classroom are required and will add up to no less than nine hours per quarter.
Prerequisite: Costume Tech and instructor permission
A class for junior high students who have an interest in the technical and backstage world. The students explore a mix of both the practical and creative elements of the technical theatre.
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
Video Production
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. 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
In this course, students will develop bi-weekly pre-recorded and live news episodes that exhibit skills within the technical aspects of television broadcasting. Instruction includes ways of structuring episodes, developing material for segments, performing for the camera, directing, camera operations, audio and video editing, as well as lighting techniques.
The Addams Family, 2022
SchoolHouse Rocks Jr, 2022
Anastasia, 2021
Something Rotten 2020
Spelling Bee of Putnam County, 2020
Les Miserables, 2019
Elf The Musical Jr, 2019
Little Women, 2019
Catch Me If You Can, 2018
Music Man, 2017
Sweeney Todd, 2016
ILLA!, 2016
In The Heights, 2015
Secret Garden, Spring Version, 2015
Crazy For You, 2014
Oliver!, 2013
Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time, 2022
Anti-Social, 2021
Anne of Green Gables, 2019
12th Night, 2019
Inspecting Carol, 2018
Romeo To Go, 2018
Radium Girls, 2017
Phantom Tollbooth, 2016
The Little Prince, 2015
Taming Of The Shrew, 2015
I Like Shakespeare, 2013
The Tempest, 2021