Course Offerings
**Most courses are offered as dual credit courses with Camden County College and Rowan University**
Exploring the Theatre (Grades 9-12, 5 credits) is an introduction to all phases of the theatre experience. Students will delve into various aspects of theatre, including pantomime, improvisation, basic acting techniques, body movement, audition techniques, stagecraft, make-up, theatre history, and play production. Evaluations are mainly on performance and improvement, as well a projects, quizzes, tests, and homework. Students will learn techniques to improve memorization skills and conquer performance anxiety. This course counts as a Visual and Performing Arts credit towards graduation.
Advanced Theatre (Grades 10-12, 5 credits) is designed for students to further refine and develop skills introduced in Exploring the Theatre. Students can expect intensive exercises in voice, movement, imagination, concentration and character development and examination of various acting theories in preparation for practical application of the art of acting. Technical theatre will be introduced through the study of scenery, lighting, costume, makeup and other design techniques. Students will learn the role of a director and develop the skills to direct a play artistically. Students can also expect to prepare professional audition materials and the investigation of career opportunities. Prerequisite(s): Exploring the Theatre with a minimum grade of 77.
Honors Theatre Performance Studio (Grades 11-12, 5 credits) This course serves to provide intensive training for the serious theatre student. The goal of this course is to provide students who have demonstrated an interest in extending their knowledge and abilities with advanced training and opportunities in both performance and production skills. For the objectives and advanced mastery of this course to be fully achieved by the individual student, all students enrolled in this course are expected to participate in an end-of-year showcase, which will require commitment during after-school hours. Prerequisite(s): By audition and teacher recommendation only.
Theatre Academy I (Grades 9-10, 5 credits) is a fast-paced, hands-on course that will introduce our incoming academy students to the foundations of theatre and performance. For the objectives and advanced mastery of this course to be fully achieved by the individual student, all students enrolled in this course are expected to participate in an end-of-year showcase, which will require commitment during after-school hours. Through improvisation and basic acting technique, students will develop imagination, spontaneity, creative risk-taking, responsiveness, ensemble skills, and problem solving. History of the theatre exposes students to the script analysis of classical works and leads them to an understanding of the development of theatre. We strive to create well-rounded artists who are as comfortable performing on stage in improvisation, plays, or musical theatre. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Academy Audition
Theatre Academy II (Grades 10-11) provides our second-year academy students with the opportunities to build on the foundations necessary to clarify their interests and passions in the arts, specifically theatre. They will explore audition technique through cold readings and prepared monologues. Emphasis will be on interpreting drama, producing drama, and the fundamentals of play production while developing and reinforcing vocal skills, acting techniques, and improvisation. Musical theatre will be introduced as well as a more in-depth study of character analysis. For the objectives and advanced mastery of this course to be fully achieved by the individual student, all students enrolled in this course are expected to participate in a touring children’s theatre production, which will require commitment during after-school hours. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Academy I and recommendation of the academy instructor.
Honors Theatre Academy III (Grades 11-12) In this advanced-level, performance-based course, students will be exposed to advanced acting techniques and styles, complex group scene work, theatre history, directing for the stage, and theatrical research, critique, and dramaturgy. Additional aspects of the course may include writing and individual assistance on college audition materials such as audition monologues, songs, resumes, headshots and website portfolios in addition to acting for film. For the objectives and advanced mastery of this course to be fully achieved by the individual student, all theatre students are expected to participate in a class play production, which will require commitment during after-school hours. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Academy I, Theatre Academy II, and recommendation of the academy instructor.
Honors Theatre Academy IV (Grade 12) is an advanced-level performance course designed to continue the study of theatrical and production skills gained in all previous academy courses. Through a group ensemble, students will continue to study advanced acting techniques, improvisation skills, American Drama, directing, scene study, and elements of theatre production. Preparation for the academy exit examination will also be a vital component of this course. For the objectives and advanced mastery of this course to be fully achieved by the individual student, all students enrolled in this course are expected to participate in a full-scale fall production, which will require commitment during after-school hours. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Academy I, Theatre Academy II, Honors Theatre Academy III, and recommendation of the academy instructor.