Theatre

The arts are the vessels of our culture. Since ancient times, we have gathered around the stage for communal storytelling, to examine important ideas, to celebrate and mourn, to seek truth and to bring history and literature to life. Theatre can act as a mirror for society and a path to deep understanding of the human condition. In arts education, theatre develops the student connection to social, emotional and ethical learning, building trust, confidence, empathy and resilience through the height of artistic expression.

Graduation Requirements Students must earn two credits in the Visual and Performing Arts. All Theatre courses may be taken to fulfill Visual and Performing Arts requirements or elective credit.

Course Offerings Introduction to Theatre This course introduces the student to the world of theatre. Students explore the multiple facets and careers within the theatre industry (directing, writing, acting, designing) as well as fundamentals of theatre history, theory and practice. Daily activities and exercises include theatre games, voice/breath/movement work, creative projects and scene-work. The course also encourages students to participate and/or attend on-campus and local theatre.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11, 12. No prerequisite. Semester course. One-half credit. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts graduation requirement or elective credit. CBL course. Acting: Character Portrayal This intensive acting course focuses on developing each student’s approach to creating and portraying a character. Students are exposed to numerous acting methods and techniques and ultimately create their own “method” for taking on a role. The semester consists of monologues, scene study, and analysis of selected characters and plays, resulting in each student creating their own acting “method.” Each student attends and reviews Punahou Theatre productions and is encouraged to audition for these productions as their schedule permits.

Open to grades 10, 11, 12. Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre. Semester course. One-half credit. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts graduation requirement or elective credit. CBL course. Theatre: Production This course focuses on the production shows. By semester end, students mount a full length, theatrical play or musical in the Drama Workshop, utilizing creative solutions to scenic and costume needs. The production material is chosen in collaboration with students and faculty, offering many performance and design possibilities. This repeatable course offers unique opportunities for growth, including writing, directing, technical theatre, stage management and acting. Students who have taken Theatre Performance may take this course.

Open to grades 11, 12. Prerequisites: Acting: Character Portrayal, or Theatre Technology and Design for the 21st Century. Semester course. One-half credit. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts Graduation requirement or elective credit. This Course may be repeated for credit. CBL course.

Theatre Technology and Design This course offers experience in technology and design practices for theatre and live events. Students study fundamental techniques in select theatre craft areas including, but not limited to, stage lighting and electrical, sound reinforcement, video display systems, theatrical rigging, property construction, scenic fabrication, scene painting and stage management. Students utilize the latest technologies in each field including LED and moving lights, complex construction machinery such as CNC routers and laser cutters, digital projection and display devices for large venues, digital audio workstations and control consoles. Student creativity is encouraged through the use of Adobe Creative Suite, Vectorworks computer aided design for mechanical drafting and Avid Pro Tools audio editing software. Grading is based on points for completed projects, a quarterly journal, and a completed portfolio of work.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11, 12. No prerequisite. Semester course. One-half credit. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts graduation requirement or elective credit. This course may be repeated for credit. Independent Project: Theatre To take Independent Study: Theatre, the student must present a written proposal to the supervising teacher prior to enrollment. The study can be in these theatre fields: Stage Management, Directing, Costume/Fashion Design, Technical Theatre or Acting. The focus of the study is two-fold: research and practical application. The format of the course includes individual and group meetings with faculty advisors and a public presentation of research work (whether an oral report or theatre presentation). The instructor and student must devise a departmental contract, which is subject to approval of the Department Head. For the 2022 – 2023 school year, Theatre will support 3 independent projects: one during summer school, one in the fall and one in the spring. Students are encouraged to partner with peers and share work within their desired discipline (ex. Actor work with Tech Student). If more than 3 proposals are submitted, a committee will decide.

Open to grades 11, 12. Prerequisite: One course in Technical Theatre, one Acting course and/or permission from the Director of Theatre.