Theatre

Theatre classes, part of the curriculum for second through fifth graders, challenge students across the performance, literary, and technical elements of theatre. Collaborative curricular projects allow children to learn classroom material in a creative forum. These projects include the third grade Greek mythology play, the fourth grade play, the fifth grade play, and more. Other highlights include public speaking, theatre lighting and technology, puppets, and playwriting.

Additionally, Lower Division students with a passion for theatre have the option to participate in theatre-related after-school clubs, such as Encore! and Improv Theatre Troupe. They can also continue their theatre education through the Summer Arts Institute at Berkeley Summer Programs.

In Middle Division, students learn the basic structures of theatrical performance through scripted material and improvisational exercises with a strong focus on confidence-building and character design. In addition to the artistic side of performance, they will encounter the basics of technical theatre and gain knowledge of lighting and sound design, stage management, and directing. By the end of eighth grade, the students will have the tools necessary to create a full production.

Each student in Middle Division is also encouraged to participate and perform in the annual Middle Division spring musical. Recent Middle Division spring musicals have included “The Lion King JR.,” “Shrek The Musical JR.,” and “Beauty and the Beast JR.”

Additionally, students with a passion for theatre have the option to participate in theatre-related after-school clubs, such as Drama Tech and Improvisation.

In the Upper Division theatre program, students can choose between two different tracks of study. Ninth and tenth graders interested in acting and/or directing can take classes called Performance 1 and Performance 2, which cover topics such as improvisation, visualization, scene study, script analysis, character work, vocal and physical training, playwriting, and dramaturgy. For those who are interested in design and/or technical theatre, we offer a class focusing on all aspects of the design and build process, working alongside industry professionals who are brought in to work on our main stage productions.

For the serious student of theatre who wishes to pursue theatre in college or beyond, we offer Advanced Theatre Ensemble, a course for eleventh and twelfth graders who have successfully completed Performance 2. This course functions like a small theatre company, including student actors, directors, designers, and stage managers, and involves staging several intimate and provocative productions per year.

The Upper Division theatre program stages a main stage straight play each fall and a spring musical in collaboration with our Upper Division choral and instrumental programs. Recent productions include “Newsies,” “Mean Girls,” “Cinderella,” “All My Sons,” and “Sense and Sensibility.” Berkeley’s Upper Division theatre program has been recognized as “Outstanding” in several categories, as part of the Broadway Star of the Future program.

Additionally, students may audition to become part of our Institute for Advanced Theatre Studies, part of Berkeley’s Center for Advanced Experiential Learning. The institute is designed primarily for the actor who wishes to train in a rigorous, semi-private environment to prepare for the college or professional audition process. Upper Division students learn to choose and perfect monologues that they can use for college pre-screens or auditions for professional theatre and film. In addition, they learn how to create a successful self-tape, take a great headshot, and prepare a profile on Backstage. They hear directly from professional actors, industry experts, and college professors about how to have a successful audition, how to book a professional role, and how to set the stage for a career in theatre or film.