Theatre Advisory

​This course will provide both a theatre and advisory experience for freshman students interested in developing their communication and theatre skills within the advisory format. Students will be able to more actively apply and bridge communication skills and navigate their initial high school experience from the classroom learning environment to real world application. A reflection notebook requiring regular entries of observations and class assignments is kept by each student. Attending and completing a written reflection for two DHS stage performances during the year reinforces techniques introduced in class. Introduction to theatre concepts such as fundamental principles of acting, an overview of technical aspects, etc. will be interwoven with the Freshman Advisory concepts. This theatre course requires no prior theatrical experience. Completion of this full-year course satisfies the Freshman Advisory requirement for graduation. 

Intro to Theatre

​Through exercises, scene study, monologues and improvisation, students will study the fundamental principles of acting: non-verbal communication, presentational skills and characterization, working off a partner, incorporating activity, and developing spontaneous response. In addition, they will receive an overview of the technical aspects and other non-performance elements of the theatre. A reflection notebook requiring regular entries of observations and class assignments is kept by each student. Attending and completing a written reflection for two DHS stage performances during the year reinforces techniques introduced in class. Films, field trips, in-class assignments, and a play reading compliment classroom activities. Introduction to Theatre requires no prior theatrical experience.

Actor's Studio

​Actors Studio is an acting class designed to help students utilize internal resources for the creation of textured, well-rounded characters. This class will enable students to build characters through the use of sense-memory, dramatic action, subtext, relationships, motivational analysis and a play reading compliment classroom activities. A reflection notebook requiring regular entries of observations and class assignments is kept by each student. Students will work with limited texts and eventually explore more complex dramatic works. Attending and completing a written reflection for two DHS stage performances during the year reinforces techniques introduced in class. The class will culminate in a STUNTS performance and the presentation of several 10- minute plays or scene work. 

Theatre Company

​Theatre Company is the Deerfield High School Company Theatre Troupe. Students create original theatre pieces through improvisation, theatre exercises, scriptwriting, and a study of great works of drama. In class students write, direct, and are introduced to on-camera skills and advanced acting techniques. The Company performs the spring play or small scale musical. Honors level credit is available for this course.

Technical Theatre 1 & 2

Technical Theatre 1 and 2 are full-year courses which expose students to all aspects of technical theatre. The course offers students the opportunity to develop skills in scenic construction and painting, stage lighting, sound production, props creation, and production planning. They also acquire the skills to operate modern theatrical lighting and sound equipment. ​All elements of the design process are explored, including script analysis, drafting, model building and design presentation. Production planning, design projects and creative problem-solving activities round out the curriculum. Students in Tech Theatre 2 have practical design opportunities for DHS dance performances and the spring play. Honors level credit is available for this course.