Enrollment in the Theater Arts Career Academy will expose student to all aspects
of theater. In addition to acting, singing, and dancing, the curriculum covers
theater history, scriptwriting, acting or the camera, careers in theater, directing,
technical theater, and the business of theater. A wide range of theories and
approaches to acting are studied, as well. Students will explore stage and screen
acting in monologue, dialogue, and ensemble settings. Activities will include
creating believable characters, understanding and practicing good rehearsal
technique, improvising without scripted material, developing scene blocking
and critiquing performance.
Additionally, Theater Arts students have many opportunities to perform for the public, attend professional theatrical performances, learn about college theater programs, and collaborate with theater professionals. Students completing this program also participate in the New Jersey Department of Education statewide Theater Exit Testing program.
Theater 1 prerequisite: Scheduled Audition 10 Credits
First year Theater students are all afforded the opportunity to perform in the
Children’s Theater touring show in the fall semester. An overall introduction
to terminology required to create theater is covered throughout the year in
study and practice. All students are also encouraged to work in a technical
capacity for a production. Acting warm ups, improvisation, dance fundamentals,
vocal production are enjoyed in the first year, as well. Additionally, students
cover Readers Theater and an overview of Theater History.
Theater 2 prerequisite: Scheduled Audition 15 Credits
Students in the second year of Theater studies will continue to develop their
understanding of styles and terminology used to create Theater. They will perform
in the main stage non-musical production in the fall, as well as audition for
the musical and participate in other performance events. A more in-depth introduction
to acting will cover scene study, monologue preparation, acting for the camera,
voice and movement, and character analysis. American Theater History, and the
musical theater history and style will be covered, as well.
Theater 3 prerequisite: Scheduled Audition 10 Credits
Third year students of the Theater program will revisit children’s theater
production by leading the way in the fall children’s touring show in both
performance and production capacities. They will continue to study dance and
voice with specialists in the field on a regular basis. The business of theater
will be taught and practiced as third year students begin to gain more responsibility
for production decisions, promotion, and technical support of theater.
Theater 4 prerequisite: none 10 Credits
The final year of Theater studies prepares the student through the New Jersey
State Theater Exit Exam (performance and written) through monologue audition,
cold reading audition, camera audition and written work. By this year, students
will have covered lighting, set design, construction, stage management, and
rehearsal rules, as well as all areas of performance. Dramatic literature including
Shakespeare, and the American classics will be covered. By the final year, students
may focus their time and energy on an area of theater to which they are best
suited, and gain help in college or career preparation.