Theatre Workshop (Theatre Arts I): Students study acting, character creation, voice, improv, scene writing, and beginning theatre design and staging.
Intermediate Theatre Workshop (Theatre Arts II): Students study acting technique, auditioning, directing, playwriting, beginning theatre technical skills/stagecraft, and play production. The year will culminate in a class play performance. Intermediate Theatre Workshop students participate in a residency with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Pegasus Theatre.
Advanced Acting Studio 1 (Theatre Arts III): Students study advanced acting and scene study, movement, voice and dialect work, classical performance technique, devising, and theatre history through performance. The year will culminate in a class performance. Advanced Acting Studio students participate in a residency with Steppenwolf Theatre and Northwestern University.
Advanced Acting Studio 2 (Theatre Arts IV): Students delve further into professional acting techniques (Meisner and Method) and theatre history through performance. Students will examine the design aspects of play production. Students will prepare for college auditions and/or interviews. Finally, seniors will participate in a senior performance showcase. Advanced Acting Studio students participate in a residency with Steppenwolf Theatre and Northwestern University.
Improv, Comedy, and Character: Students learn short and long form improv, study character creation, read and perform scenes from comic plays, and practice sketch comedy writing and performance. Improv students participate in a residency with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and go on fieldtrips to see professional theatre in Chicago.
Theatre Production: This course provides a hands-on exploration of the design and production of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and makeup for the theatre. Students are introduced to scene construction, techniques of lighting, stage materials, stage safety, theatre production processes, and the principles of design on which all stagecraft is based. Students read plays critically and learn how to develop a concept to support the design of scene elements and lighting. They draw plans, build set models, design lighting, and discuss their concept in formal presentations to the class. This course may be used as an arts credit. Students will go on a fieldtrip to see a professional play.
Drama Concentration Requirements
Students who choose a Concentration in Drama must take four Drama courses to receive the Lane Tech Recognition of Achievement in Drama. Juniors and Seniors who actively participate in the Drama Concentration will be cast in at least one mainstage play (if interested). The extracurricular performance is not required, but a way for students to further practice what they learn in class. Students will be required to audition, and will not be able to select the production or role.
Questions? Email Kirsten Hanson at kdhanson@cps.edu