Acting I is an orientation course which will provide a wide range of theater experiences for students. In working with the academic and experiential forms of theater study, students will be both participants and observers in theater processes. Areas covered will include: improvisation, stage movement and production, styles of theater, pantomime, voice, characterization and creating a role.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Acting II offers further development in the theater arts. The acting student is offered a variety of learning activities, which focus more intently on a thorough examination of theater literature, style, and methodology.  Areas covered will include: character development, camera acting, in-depth audition preparation, method acting, and play evaluation.

Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Acting I with a grade of “B” or higher. 

This class will focus on short form improvisation. Short form improv (also known as theater games) allows students to discover their lines and actions spontaneously, while following a general theme and format/structure. Examples of short form improvisations are the games played on the TV program, “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” Basic concepts such as “Yes and...,” Character and Relationship Building, Staying Active, Adding History, Being Specific, etc. will be stressed. The culmination of the class will be a performance of three improv sets at the spring 24-Hour Create-A-Play.

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Acting I with a grade of “B” or higher.

This class will begin with a review of short form improvisation and will progress into long form improvisation. Long form improv allows students to create scenes related by story, character, or themes. Students will also study comedy writing through satire and parody and will co-write several sketch comedy pieces and short film segments such as those seen on “Saturday Night Live.” At the end of the trimester, the class will create and perform in their own Improv show, which will include short form, long form, sketch comedy and short comedic film segments. 
Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: Acting I with a grade of “B” or higher or instructor’s permission.

Everyone loves musicals! This course will explore the hard work it takes to reach that contagious fun! Students will study stock characters and the evolution and validity of musical theater. Beginning with selecting the best audition pieces, this class continues with daily singing and simple group choreography. The final product will be a class performance featuring choreographed song-and-dance numbers, as well as ballads from a wide genre of musicals. 

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Acting I or Vocal work which may include CDH Choir or a willingness to begin extra vocal training outside of class 

Technical Theater explores the technical aspects of the theater. Areas covered will include: make up and costume design, set construction and design, lighting, sound, painting techniques, and production advertising. Many elements learned in class will be directly applied to the current CDH production.

Grades 10, 11, 12