ACTING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Beginning Drama

Beginning Drama, the first level of acting you can take at University High School, teaches the fundamentals of acting, from Mime work to auditioning for the school’s mainstage productions. The techniques you learn in this course give you an advantage as you audition for Intermediate and Advanced courses.

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Musical Theatre Wheel

This class is ideal for students who know they are passionate about Musical Theatre AND for students who, due to limited middle school arts opportunities in IUSD, are unsure of their elective choice in high school.  In the wheel, students will rotate through four topics within the genre of Musical Theatre: Dance, Vocal Technique, Acting and Storytelling/Culture. Students change topic and teacher every nine weeks developing the skills needed to be a triple threat on Broadway.

Musical Theatre Introduction

This class is ideal for students who know they are passionate about Musical Theatre AND for students who would like to explore performing arts. For the student interested in Musical Theatre, this course allows focused study of Acting and Vocal Music in one class period.  Dual enrollment in Dance for PE credit is strongly encouraged as a means to become a “triple threat”. Through performance of Broadway standards, students will explore the relationship between Acting, Dance and Vocal Music and develop an ability to use their instrument to bring stories from musicals to life on stage.

Intermediate Drama

Intermediate Drama, the second level of acting you can take at University High School builds upon the skills learned in Beginning Drama. These students are in both Drama 2 and Advanced Drama. Students in this class implement their practice by competing with monologues, improvisation, scenes, and musical theatre at festivals. You will see your technique improve, preparing you to advance along the acting pathway. In addition, your overall knowledge of theatre, how to audition, be approachable, and how to thrive in the industry will increase.

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Musical Theatre Performance

Students in this course will do a deep study on vocals, acting, and dance technique while developing material to curate for their audition portfolio.  Students will compete/participate  in local theatre, dance and vocal festivals as well as performing in on-campus events.  The year will culminate with a fully produced Musical Theatre Mash Up performance.

Advanced Drama

Advanced Drama, the top level of acting at University High School, continues to develop and perfect performance while preparing students for college or a career in the arts. Advanced Combo is the CAPSTONE course for students in their fourth year, and this section is combined with Advanced Technical Theatre as students produce portfolios of the Summer Practicum, Role About Theatre Festival, OC Varsity Artist of the Year, Fullerton Festival and Senior Show.

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Broadway Bound

Students in this course will complete a Portfolio of highlighting their  work across the past four years to utilize in the college audition/application process. In Quarter 1 students will learn how to train for a career in musical theatre with guest speakers from the industry, universities and trade schools. Quarter 2 will be an in depth look at audition techniques as the student auditions for the spring mainstage musical at Uni.  In Quarter 3 students will receive private coaching, developing the techniques needed as a lead.  In Quarter 4 students will learn to marketing themselves as an artist.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTORS

Summer Theatre Practicum

Summer Practicum is an opportunity for students to work hand-in-hand with industry professionals in a small cast environment to create atypical works of art for the community while growing their skills in preparation for Advanced Drama.

Advanced Theatre Production

Advanced Theatre Production is an after school class for the fall play and spring musical. Once cast, you are enrolled in this 7th period class, which only meets during rehearsals. Students earn a grade for your participation, citizenship, and improvement on stage.

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FAQ: How to take Theatre classes all four years

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