Here in Dickinson we offer a wide variety of Theatre courses.  From acting, musical and technical classes to One-Act plays, Musicals and Full-length plays throughout the year.  There is something for everyone.

Below are the courses we offer with a short description.

Theatre Arts

• Theatre Arts 1 - a basic introduction to Theater arts. Topics include terminology, basic stage movement, pantomime, improvisation, overcoming stage fright, evaluating Theater productions, Theater etiquette, and basic performance skills including character development and script structure. All Theater Arts 1 students are required to see the live stage productions produced by the department. Prerequisite - NONE.
• Advanced Theatre Arts 1 - a theater course offered to those students who took a theater course during their 8th grade year and want to further their acting and theater career. Students will be reviewed in basic theater topics such as stage and acting terminology, basic stage movement, pantomime, improvisation, evaluating theater productions, theater etiquette, and basic performance skills including character development and script structure. Students will also participate in their own class one act play that will be performed for the public. All Advanced Theater Arts 1 students are required to see the live stage productions produced by the department. Prerequisite - Audition for High School Director.
• Theatre Arts 2 - a continuation of Theater Arts 1 and is designed for students with a genuine interest in Theater. Topics include advanced stage movement, voice and diction development, audition techniques, advanced character analysis, and Theater history. Students are introduced to a variety of techniques and theories that are put in to practice through memorized monologues, duets, and one act plays that are performed for the public each semester. All Theater arts students are required to see the live stage productions produced by the department. Prerequisite - C or higher in Theatre Arts 1; Instructor approval.
• Theatre Arts 3 - designed for students who have an intense interest in Theater. It focuses on advanced voice and diction, stage movement, and character analysis with heavy concentration on acting styles, script analysis, and performance techniques. Students will also begin basic directing work on individual scenes. Performance work consists of scripted work as well as self-written work. Theater Arts 3 students are expected to attend the live stage productions produced by the department. Students are highly encouraged to audition for productions as well. Theater 3 students will be involved in a public performance. Prerequisite - B or higher in Theatre Arts 2; Instructor approval.
• Theatre Arts 4 - a continuation of Theater Arts 3 and is designed for students dedicated to perfecting their acting and directing skills. Topics include professional acting techniques, Theater theory and criticism, and full one act directing skills. Students are introduced to Theater sources for purposes of research, scripts, auditioning, education, and lay attendance. Students will direct a one act play, and attend the live stage production produced by the department. Students will also work on college resumes, applications, FAFSA, audition monologues and interviews for theater schools. Students will be able to attend a variety of unified auditions throughout the state for entrance and scholarship to a variety of theater, film, and communications colleges. Prerequisite - B or higher in Theatre Arts 3; Instructor approval.

Theatre Production

• Theatre Production 1 - 4 - is designed to prepare actors and technicians for all dramatic productions during the school year including all fall productions, the winter production, and UIL One Act production. Skills learned in the Technical Theater and Theater Arts classes will be utilized in this class during rehearsals for the department’s productions. Students are required to be involved in all productions for the department during the semester in which they are in the class. Involvement includes onstage and offstage positions. Students enrolled in a Production course are strongly encouraged to be enrolled in either an upper level Theater Arts Course or Technical Theater Course as well. Fees: Vary  Prerequisite - Audition and/or interview - must audition both semesters separately.

Musical Theatre

• Musical Theatre 1 -  expose students to a wide range of on-stage performance disciplines, including acting performance, vocal performance, and dance performance. The course will also provide an atmosphere in which students benefit from a teaching and learning experience in these performance disciplines of musical theater. Students may gain the required fine arts credit with the completion of this course. All Music Theater students are required to see the departments live theater productions. Prerequisite - NONE.
• Musical Theatre 2 - 4 - expose students to a wide range of on-stage performance disciplines, including acting performance, vocal performance, and dance performance. The course will also provide an atmosphere in which students benefit from a teaching and learning experience in these performance disciplines of musical theater. Students may gain the required fine arts credit with the completion of this course. All Music Theater students are required to see the departments live theater productions. Prerequisite - Musical Theatre 1.

Technical Theatre

• Technical Theatre 1 - topics include basic building, painting techniques, lighting applications, sound perspective, prop production, costume design, and publicity design. The Technical Theater classes provide sets for student productions. The Technical Theater classes are required to attend the main stage productions that are produced by the department. Prerequisite - NONE for 10th-12th graders; Director approval for 9th graders.
• Technical Theatre 2 - 4 - topics include scene construction, technical paperwork, drafting, and beginning design work in scenery and lighting. Students develop a higher level of technical responsibility and are able to serve as crew heads and stage managers for productions if they choose to do so. The Technical Theater classes are required to attend the main stage productions that are produced by the department. Students are encouraged to work on crews for the main stage productions as well. Prerequisite -C or higher in Tech Theatre 1; Instructor approval.