Musical Theatre

General Information:
This course can be taken all four years of High School as an elective by any student. Students must be willing to participate and try in order to be successful in this course. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Mosser

Course Description:
This performance-based course is open to all students regardless of experience. Studied in this course will be a survey of the evolution of musical theatre beginning with the early American influences of vaudeville, burlesque, extravaganza, opera and operetta. Particular attention will be given to the works of Jerome Kern, George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Lerner & Lowe, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and Kander & Ebb. Activities will include a variety of "hands-on" experiences with importance centered on process and actual performance. Students will have the opportunity to develop both their acting and singing skills. Emphasis will be placed on audition technique, scene study, technical theatre skill and basic theatre knowledge. 

Advanced Musical Theatre

General Information:
In order to enroll in this course, students must have completed at Musical Theatre with a minimum of 3.0 average in the course and they must also complete an audition for the music department faculty. Each interested student must perform two complete contrasting musical theatre selections (Up-tempo & Ballade) showing their versatility as a performer. Auditions are typically at the end of the school year and are announced in the musical theatre class and on the calendar. This course is also a large commitment and involves several performances outside of the classroom including a fall cabaret and a spring student-directed production. All students enrolled in this course are expected to participate. 

Course Description: 
This performance-based workshop is designed for advanced musical theatre students ready to develop their skills on a professional level by refining students' vocal technique and expanding traditional, classical acting methods as required for the specialized techniques of musical theatre. Study includes larger scene-song forms including one-acts or new-works from the musical theatre. The course will challenge the musical actor through the study of repertoire from some of Broadway's most acclaimed production in a comprehensive range of American musical theatre; styles including Musical Comedy, Golden Age Musical Drama, Concept and Rock Musicals. This specialized class allows for a more individualized approach, with students learning through a combination of coaching, and small group rehearsal. Course also emphasizes creating a resume, types for interviews, obtaining an agent, personal appearance, and dress as well as work on audition material, ranging from musicals to stock productions. Students will explore contemporary musical theatre production through research, rehearsal and performance. Students will synthesize this learning by rehearsing and staging scenes and solo and ensemble numbers culminating in a performance of a student-run and directed musical.