DRAMA PROGRAMS OFFERED AT LEIGH

Theater education at Leigh High School goes through a 4-year progression, with each year building on skills obtained the year before.

Technical theater education is taught in a 4 year program, with possible internship opportunities offered in the third and forth year. Each class gives 10 units of Performing/Fine Arts credit.

Drama 1

Students will learn the basic tenets of theater in this activity based class. Students learn scriptwriting, acting, pantomime, mime, vocal interpretation (including projection and diction), improvisation, musical theater, technical theater, and public speaking skills. Performances are all class-based, and students are allowed to explore their personalities as actors in a safe, fun environment. Students gain the life long skills of oral presentation, group organization, artistic expression, and will learn how to feel comfortable in their own skin. Students must first learn who they are before they can truly portray a character, and therefore develop as a person throughout Drama 1. This is an excellent class for Freshmen, as the oral presentation skills will help them in every class they take at Leigh High school. Advanced students will have the opportunity to perform at CUHSD’s Drama Fest and the winter and spring showcases.

This is a prerequisite for the performance based Advanced Acting class: Drama 2.

Drama 2 – Advanced Acting

This class is a rehearsal and performance class that works on a students acting ability. Throughout this class, students will practice scene work, create and perform in original pieces, participate in a touring company, develop powerful audition techniques and monologues for both classic and contemporary auditions, perform in 2 evening showcases, and will have the opportunity to participate in DramaFest, a district-wide theatrical honors showcase performed at the Campbell Heritage Theater.

Drama 3 – Directing

This class introduces advanced students to the basic theory and practice of directing a short play.

Drama 4 Honors

This honors course is available to seniors only and presents unique internship opportunities with local theater companies to advanced Drama students.

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Musical Theater 1 and 2

Students will learn the basic tenets of Musical Theater in this activity based class. Students learn the basics of acting both in straight plays and musicals, how to “sell” a song, vocalization techniques, and the basics of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern Dance styles as they apply to the world of Musical Theater. Students will also improve their rhythm and public speaking skills. Performances are all class based, and students are allowed to explore their personalities as actors, dancers, singers, and performers in a safe, fun environment.

Musical Theater 1 class can be taken as a prerequisite for Drama or Musical Theater 2. Advanced students will have the opportunity to perform at CUHSD’s Drama Fest and the winter and spring showcases.

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Technical Theater 1

This class introduces students to the world of Technical Theater. It covers Lighting, Sound, Properties, Sets, Make Up, and Costume creation as well as the basics of theatrical design. This is a very “hands on” course perfect for students who desire a non-traditional performing arts class. This class is more akin to a wood or metal shop than to a traditional “performing arts” class. Basic computer skills are helpful, but not needed.

Technical Theater 2, 3, and 4 Honors

These classes cover the basics of Theatrical Design. This is a more artistically based class for students who have already taken Technical Theater 1. Students are instrumental in designing all technical aspects of the Fall play, Spring Musical, and the Drama 2/3/4 showcases.

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For additional information or if you have any questions contact:

Dave Manley, PAPA President              PAPA_President@leighpapa.org

Bryan Ringsted, Theater Director        bringsted@cuhsd