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Explore our Curriculum

US Theater

The goal of the Upper School Theater Department  is to introduce students to the art of the theater as a means of individual and collaborative expression. Faculty members seek to inspire greater empathy and broaden each student’s perspective through the exploration of characters and concepts that expand our horizons and challenge our preconceptions.

Students who enroll in the elective courses offered are given the opportunity to explore the various aspects of theater in introductory, intermediate and advanced classes. Whether a student has interest in acting, production work, or design, there are academic offerings to meet their interests. In tandem, or paralleling with the academic coursework, the Theater Department has an extensive co-curricular production program in which students can choose to be involved. Through these extensive offerings, the department seeks to engage with its students, developing in them both an understanding of and appreciation for the collaborative work that exists in theater.

  • Acting 1

    This course explores the definition and process of realistic acting through exercises, readings, discussion, and performance of scenes and monologues. The goal of the course is to give each student a better knowledge of his or her own instrument—vocally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually—and explore the process by which the actor uses that instrument to become any given character.

  • Acting 2

    For the advanced student of acting, Acting II continues the work that was started in Acting I.   Students will be exposed to a variety of acting methodologies that will broaden their understanding of the craft and work.  They will explore theatrical texts that are more challenging, including elevated style with such playwrights as Shakespeare, Moliere, and the Greek Tragedians.  Students will bring these multi-dimensional characters and timeless stories to life on the stage in a way that engages an audience. As in Acting I, students will work with a combination of text reading, class exercises, structured scene work and performances.

    Prerequisite: Acting I or permission of the instructor

  • Advanced Design

    STA

    In this class, students who have completed Design for Theater will have the opportunity to take their work from the theoretical realm to the practical, working on a Theater Department production as a member of the design team. While working on the production, students will be responsible for all appropriate research, drawing, and documentation as assigned. Students will have regularly scheduled class time as well as laboratory time working on the production.

    Prerequisite: Design for Theater and permission of the instructor

  • Design for the Theater

    STA

    Design for Theater will offer students the opportunity to further investigate the technical production process from the designer’s viewpoint. Designing for the theater offers many unique opportunities and challenges. This course will illuminate this process in the areas of scenic, light, costume, and sound design. Theatrical design is a collaborative process, and students will be exposed to the methods employed in this process. The work in this class focuses on design projects of a theoretical nature. Starting with a close reading of a script, students will develop their design ideas from preliminary research, through the development of design choices, to completed presentation documentation of finalized plans.  

    Prerequisite: Stagecraft or Costume Technology

  • Directing

    STA

    Directing teaches the advanced theater student script analysis and the development of the dramatic concept for a production. The student learns the process of communicating with actors, designers, and support staff in the development of a play as part of the Festival of Student-Directed One Act Plays.. Students read a plays, select an appropriate script of their choosing, develop the production concept, audition the actors, collaborate with student scenic, lighting, sound and costume designers  and coordinate and lead all rehearsals with their actors. All this work culminates in two public performances of their play. This unique and exciting responsibility is greatly rewarding and offers invaluable insights into the production process.
     
    Prerequisite: Acting 1, or permission of the instructor

  • Public Speaking

    This course addresses the ideas of speech construction, analysis, creation, and delivery using projects based on contemporary forms of public speaking. Students develop and demonstrate their skills through the presentation of informative, demonstrative, persuasive, and entertaining speeches. The class culminates with the writing and presentation of a self-selected topic that follows the guidelines of a “Ted Talk” about an “idea worth spreading.”  Students will hone their analytical, vocal, observational, and oratory skills as they develop a deeper understanding of format and techniques, increasing their effectiveness as communicators.

  • Stagecraft

    STA

    Stagecraft introduces students to the key technical elements of theatrical production, including scenic construction, scene painting, stage lighting, and sound for the theater. The course will also explore technology used in the production process, including digital lighting control and sound reproduction and manipulation. Students will gain practical experience planning, executing, and troubleshooting daily projects while working towards the goal of putting on a school production. With thorough instruction, students will become comfortable with the safe operation of the equipment used in the production process, this includes the use of ladders and scaffolding.  Students will be encouraged to develop spatial awareness as well as a proactive attitude and will be able to look at the final, fully-realized set and feel a true sense of ownership and accomplishment.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Mark Bishop
    Mark Bishop
    Theater Teacher; Department Chair
    202-537-6456
  • Photo of Greg Lampasona
    Greg Lampasona
    Theater Teacher
    202-537-5704
  • Photo of Anne Liberman
    Anne Liberman
    Theater Teacher
    202-537-6338
    Bio
  • Photo of Christopher Snipe
    Christopher Snipe
    Drama Teacher and Theater Director
    202-537-6312
3612 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016 202.537.6300