Theatre

It is the mission of the Newburyport Public Schools Performing Arts Department to provide every student the opportunity to engage in the appreciation, creation and analysis of multiple performing arts modalities.

Whether students just engage in performing arts socially, or pursue them at a post-secondary or professional level, we aim to instill a lifelong advocacy for the impact and power of creativity.

For any and all theatre announcements, join the NHS Theatre Call Board!

NHS Theatre Call Board

Code: dljkup7x

Courses Available

Theatre Arts

All courses are:

Grades 9-12
1 Semester
2.5 Credits/Semester

Theatre I: Foundations of Improvisation, Scene Study and Technical Design
- Course Number: 0843
Theatre II: Further exploration of acting, directing, and design implementation.
- Course Number: 0844, Prerequisite: Theatre I
Theatre III: Advanced study for live performances in both acting and design.
- Course Number: 0850 , Prerequisite: Theatre I & II
Theatre IV: Focus on preparation for post-secondary options in the Theatre Arts.
- Course Number: 0851, Prerequisite: Theatre I, II & III

Theatre Arts is a dynamic course series offered during the traditional school day designed to build students’ skills in performance and technical theatre. In these engaging, hands-on courses students will be up and moving and collaborating creatively with their peers. Course content will include improvisation, scene study, audition techniques, acting for the camera, physical comedy, and plenty of theatre games. Students will also enhance their knowledge of the theatre-making process by exploring various elements of technical theatre. This course series is open to all levels of experience, and students will be placed in the appropriate level and challenged on an individualized basis with a focus on participation, effort and growth not on “talent.”

If students choose to continue through the course series, in Theatre III & IV those interested in performance will be honing their skills in character development, movement, voice, speech and those interested in technical theatre will gain valuable skill in design and implementation–as well as gain assistance preparing content for auditioning/portfolios for those who are interested in pursuing this pathway after high school.

Communication & Public Speaking Skills

Course Number: 1126

Grades 9-12

1 Semester

2.5 Credits

Students in this class will work on gaining confidence in public speaking. It is expected that this class will include those who are terrified to speak in public and those that are comfortable but want to improve this vital life skill. Students will feel more prepared for classroom presentations, job/college interviews, as well as in social situations where they may be called upon to make speeches. We highly encourage all freshmen students to take this class. (Course qualifies for the G.L.O.B.A.L Citizenship Program)

Fall Play: Elements of Acting & Design

Course Number: 1121

Grades 9-12

1 Semester (Fall Season)

2.5 Credits

*Credits Beyond the School Day Option (CBSD)

This class meets outside the traditional school day, and a comprehensive rehearsal calendar is provided at the start of the process, which will include rehearsals, production meetings, technical preparations and show dates. Students enrolling will be given the opportunity to provide their scheduling conflicts in advance. This class provides a welcoming and supportive environment where students can grow as actors and technicians, build lasting friendships, and develop or enhance a love for theatre that extends beyond the school day classroom. During this hands-on class we will explore acting, movement, improvisation, voice, character, and technical elements through the rehearsal process of putting on the fall play (title to be released in June). Students are each allowed to focus on their area of interest: acting, or one of the many technical elements such as props, scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, hair, make-up, marketing, and stage management. This class culminates in the fall play production typically running in November/early December. This course may be repeated yearly for credit.

Winter Play: Elements of Acting & Design Honors

Course Number: 1248

Grades 9-12

1 Semester (Winter Season)

2.5 Credits

*Credits Beyond the School Day Option (CBSD)

This class meets outside the traditional school day. A comprehensive rehearsal calendar is provided at the start of the process, which will include rehearsals, production meetings, technical preparations and show dates. Students enrolling will be given the opportunity to provide their scheduling conflicts in advance. This class provides a welcoming and supportive environment where students can grow as actors and technicians, build lasting friendships, and develop or enhance a love for theatre that extends beyond the school day classroom. During this advanced hands-on class, we will hone skills in acting, movement, improvisation, voice, character, and technical elements through the rehearsal process of putting on NHS Theatre’s submission to the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild’s High School Drama Festival competition (title to be released in June). Students are each allowed to focus on their area of interest: acting, or one of the many technical elements such as props, scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, hair, make-up, marketing, and stage management. This class culminates in the METG’s High School Drama Festival competition play production which runs throughout March each year. This course may be repeated yearly for credit.

Spring Musical: Elements of Musical Theatre

Course Number: 1196

Grades 9-12

1 Semester: (Spring Season)

5 Credits

*Credits Beyond the School Day Option(CBSD)

This class meets outside the traditional school day, and a comprehensive rehearsal calendar is provided at the start of the process, which will include rehearsals, production meetings, technical preparations and show dates. Students enrolling will be given the opportunity to provide their scheduling conflicts in advance. This class provides a welcoming and supportive environment where students can grow as actors and technicians, build lasting friendships, and develop or enhance a love for theatre that extends beyond the school day classroom. During this hands-on class we will explore singing, dance, acting, improvisation, character voice and movement, and technical elements through the rehearsal process of putting on the spring musical (title to be released in June). Students are each allowed to focus on their area of interest: performing, playing in the pit orchestra, or one of the many technical elements such as props, scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, hair, make-up, marketing, and stage management. This class culminates in the spring musical production typically running in early May. This course may be repeated yearly for credit.

Dance

SESSION 1: Fall Session (September-December)

SESSION 2: Winter Session (January-March)

SESSION 3: Spring Session (April-June)

Course Numbers: 1148FX-01 (Fall), 1148WX-01 (Winter), 1148SX-01 (Spring)

Grades 9-12

1.25 Credits Per Session

*Credits Beyond the School Day Option (CBSD)

Dance is an exciting and dynamic class designed for students of all experience levels, with no prior dance experience required. Meeting after school once a week from 2:45 to 4:15 PM, this class provides an opportunity for students to learn a wide range of dance genres including (but not limited to): jazz, hip-hop, lyrical/modern, latin, swing, musical theatre and aerial silks! Every week new choreography is taught, and throughout each session students also work in small groups to develop their own choreography to further their exploration of each dance form. The class offers a laid-back approach to accessing dance and movement in a fun and supportive environment. Juniors and Seniors electing to take at least two sessions of Dance may waive their gym requirement for the year.

Rehearsal Calendar

Once a show has been cast, an updated calendar of rehearsals will appear here!

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Theatre

For any and all theatre announcements, join the NHS Theatre Call Board!

Code: dljkup7x

Courses Available

Theatre Arts

Communication & Public Speaking Skills

Fall Play: Elements of Acting & Design

Winter Play: Elements of Acting & Design Honors

Spring Musical: Elements of Musical Theatre

Dance

SESSION 1: Fall Session (September-December)

SESSION 2: Winter Session (January-March)

SESSION 3: Spring Session (April-June)

Rehearsal Calendar

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