Pathway Progressions

Level 1           Theatre Fundamentals I and II (one semester each…please note that I needs to be taken before II due to new GCPS AKS Alignments)

Level 2/3        Technical Theatre (with additional levels allowing to repeat/advance as needed) 

Level 2/3        Acting (with additional levels allowing to repeat/advance as needed)

Level 2/3/4     Musical Theatre (with additional levels offered to repeat as needed, some students might skip a traditional level 2 into this course with teacher placement)

Level 3/4        Advanced Drama (with additional levels offered to repeat as needed)

Open Level      Dramatic Writing (this course does not count as a specific level but rather an additional FA electives towards FADS)

Technical Theatre I - Students are introduced to the basic concepts and skills of theatre production processes including the use of the theater space, set design, lighting design, sound design, costume design, props design, scenic construction, scene painting, and stage management.  Students work with a variety of tools and materials necessary for the instruction of all technical theatre processes.  The course encourages and nurtures students' artistic and creative skills and talents and engages students in individual and collaborative work.  Students learn and benefit from self, peer, and teacher evaluation as they explore connections to real-world application of performances at the school, community, and professional level.  

Technical Theatre II-IV - Students build on the experiences of Technical Theatre I class by engaging in hands-on learning and collaborative projects that directly benefit the fine arts department productions.  Students are introduced to more advanced concepts and skills of theatre production processes including the use of the theater space, set design, lighting design, sound design, costume design, props design, scenic construction, scene painting, and stage management.  Students work with a variety of tools and materials necessary for the instruction of all technical theatre processes.  The course encourages and nurtures students' artistic and creative skills and talents and engages students in individual and collaborative work.  Students learn and benefit from self, peer, and teacher evaluation as they explore connections to real-world application of performances at the school, community, and professional level.  

Acting I - Students are introduced to basic acting techniques and concepts as they build the skills and talent set necessary to create and perform theatrical work for a live audience.  The course introduces students to the beginning knowledge and experiences necessary to develop the individual student's creative processes while engaging in collaborative work.  Students explore a variety of acting styles and techniques through individual and group performances for the class and school. The course focuses on the reading, writing, study and performance of theatrical scripts and the understanding of the actor's responsibility to the whole product and the audience. The course values the importance of creative expression and performance with a connection to historical/cultural heritage, aesthetic analysis, and professional-world application.  Students also learn and benefit from self, peer, and teacher evaluation. 

Acting II-IV - Students build on the experiences of Acting I by engaging in more in-depth projects that continue to develop professional quality skill sets, talent, and understanding of theatrical processes and performances.  Students are introduced to more advanced acting techniques and concepts as they build the skills and talent set necessary to create and perform theatrical work for a live audience.  The course introduces students to deeper knowledge and experiences necessary to develop the individual student's creative processes while engaging in collaborative work.  Students explore a variety of acting styles and techniques through individual and group performances for the class and school. The course focuses on the reading, writing, study and performance of theatrical scripts and the understanding of the actor's responsibility to the whole product and the audience. The course values the importance of creative expression and performance with a connection to historical/cultural heritage, aesthetic analysis, and professional-world application.  Students also learn and benefit from self, peer, and teacher evaluation. 

Advanced Theatre - Students are engaged in the creation and performance of professional quality theatrical work for a live audience.  This course is production focused and develops students ability to understand and responsibly execute all processes necessary to create and maintain a live performance.   The course focuses on the study of classic and contemporary work and a variety of theatre styles and genres. Students are also given the opportunity to direct and explore their own work.  Student collaboration, peer leadership, and self-evaluation are encouraged and nurtured through every possible process of theatre production.  Students benefit from professional-world connections as they learn to perform for and build relationships with local, regional, national, and educational theatre companies, venues, and audiences.  

Student Plan of Study for Theatre