Warsaw Community High School

Theatre Arts I is an introduction to theater arts, covers the basics of the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre, and is open to all grade levels. Students will learn about all things theatre! They study Staging, the Elements of Theatre, and Improv/Acting. They also explore each area of technical theatre: Makeup, Costumes, Scenic Design, and Sound/Lights. This is a project based class where students will get hands-on experience in each area of theatre.

This is a great class for anyone interested in exploring this artform! 

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Theatre History (Theatre II) follows the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre. Students will study the history, structure, and varieties of drama - including comedy and tragedy - from Ancient Greece to the present day along with the technical aspects of production. They will perform an example of a Greek play and scenes from playwrights studied throughout the course. This is a project based class for all grade levels during which students will get hands-on experience creating masks, backdrops, and performing scenes from the different eras of theatre history.

Prerequisites: Theatre I
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Children’s Theatre (Theatre III) is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre and is open to students of all grade levels. These students will explore all aspects of producing a play from selecting scripts, to publicity, to a final production. They will apply these techniques by presenting a play for various elementary schools. While all aspects of the production are critical, acting will be emphasized.

They will also study the audition process and present individual projects. This is a fun class based on the discovery of acting for young audiences. Previous productions include Snow White, Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, Frozen Jr, Rainbow Fish, and Finding Nemo.

Prerequisites: Theatre I, Tech Theatre
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Select Theatre (Theatre IV) is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre and is open to grades 11 and 12. Serious students of theater attend a required, after school, audition for admittance into this honors course. All students chosen will further develop their acting, directing, and production skills.

These advanced actors will compete at the International Thespian Society Regional competition and potentially the state competition as well. Each student will also particiate in individual Thespy Events at the Indiana Thespian State Conference. Due to the nature of this art form and the requirements of the course, out of class rehearsals and trips are required. Occasionally, fundraising may be necessary to attend these trips. 

These students will prepare a one-act play during the first semester and either a full length musical or play in the second semester. These productions usually take place in the Black Box Theatre. 

Prerequisites: Theatre Arts I and II, Tech Theatre*
Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

*Some prerequisites may be taken concurrently. 

The nature of this course allows for successive semesters of instruction at an advanced level provided that defined proficiencies and content standards are utilized.

Musical Theatre follows the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre and is open to all grade levels. Students in this course study the history of musical theatre and its place in today’s society. They participate in staging, choreographing, rehearsing, and performing an original or existing musical work. Musicality and an understanding of vocal performance is useful in this class. All of these activities should incorporate elements of theatre history, culture, analysis, response, creative process, and integrated studies.

Additionally, students explore career opportunities in the theatre, attend and critique theatrical productions, and recognize the responsibilities and the importance of individual theatre patrons in their community. This class may be taught collaboratively among music, theatre, dance, and visual arts faculty.

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

The nature of this course allows for successive semesters of instruction at an advanced level provided that defined proficiencies and content standards are utilized.

Technical Theatre is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Theatre and is open to all grade levels. Students enrolled in Technical Theatre actively engage in the process of designing, building, managing, and implementing the technical aspects of a production – including, but not limited to, lighting, sound, stage management, and house management. Students will learn proper safety techniques in order to operate power tools. These skills and tools are necessary for the design and creation of various props and set pieces for the theatre department’s productions. Artists and builders and those with electrical savvy are more than welcome!

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Makeup and Wigs is a course open to all grade levels that focuses solely on the subject of theatrical wigs and makeup. Participants will learn techniques required to style wigs for a theatre production and the processes in which they are kept in good, long-lasting condition. They will also learn special effects makeup techniques to create old age, bruises and cuts, animal likenesses, amongst others. The hands on training they will recieve will be applied in real life by working on one of the theatre department’s productions as hair and makeup designer or crew member. 
Additionally, students will explore career opportunities in the theatre, attend and critique theatrical productions, and recognize the responsibilities and the importance of individual theatre patrons in their community.

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

The nature of this course allows for successive semesters of instruction at an advanced level provided that defined proficiencies and content standards are utilized.