Theater & Dance

This course allows students to experience many facets of theater including design, acting, directing, playwriting and performance. Discussions, group activities and feedback encourage students to think creatively while collaborating, problem-solving and presenting original ideas.

Explore the origins of theater through the lens of Ancient Greek tragedy, Elizabethan revenge plays and Japanese kabuki. If you enjoy epic tales of murder, mayhem and suspense, this is the class for you! We will both read scripts and watch plays in performance, gaining a better understanding of the various classic theatrical conventions that influence modern theater today.

What’s in our students' acting and directing tool box? As an actor, how does one identify given circumstances, analyze a character’s intentions, map out actions and embody emotions fully? As a director, how does one best convey a story through blocking, stage composition and script analysis? How can design and research help flesh out one's interpretation? In this active studio class, students will experiment with a range of acting and directing techniques, ultimately deciding what tools work best for them. Students will both act and direct in scenes and monologues.

In Fundamentals of to Theater Design, students expand their imaginations through a comprehensive overview of scenic, lighting, sound and projection design. Through conceptual projects and practical activities, students synthesize the design process and develop presentation skills. The class introduces technical skills in scenic painting and set/prop construction, all while honing an eye for compositional design.

Skills are further honed in Advanced Theater Design. Students build the curriculum, in coordination with their teacher, based on the interests they would like to further explore. Past topics include scenic design, drafting and model building, projection and animation design, electrics and lighting design,and more. The class prepares students to find practical solutions to creative ideas and prepare a portfolio of finished work.

Yoga is a harmonizing practice that brings balance to body and mind through postures, breathwork, sun salutations, guided meditation and deep relaxation. Yoga I students learn how to safely practice classic yoga postures and gentle movement sequences while maintaining a connection to their breath. Emphasis is placed on developing self-awareness, maintaining a sense of ease, exploring a personalized approach to the practice and creating a solid foundation to build upon. In Yoga II, a wide variety of postures, concepts, movement sequences, breathing techniques, meditation and deep relaxation expands each student’s practice. Every class is customized to support the student's interests and needs.

Each student in Advanced Production Workshop is assigned a “job,” such as stage manager, assistant director, assistant costume designer or assistant set designer, and contributes in a meaningful way to the staging of the spring play, from conception to execution. In this advanced level course, students team up with the Theater & Dance Department faculty in a truly collaborative process.

Students who take Advanced Production Workshop for a second time are encouraged to specialize in a particular area of interest.

Any senior taking Advanced Production Workshop for a third time is offered the chance to go even deeper into a field of interest, taking on more responsibility and expanding that specific skill set. Students often share a co-creator job title with faculty for the spring production and see it as the capstone to their theatrical journey at CGPS.

This course, open to twelfth graders only, is one of the culminating experiences for theater students at CGPS. In the Advanced Projects: Senior Play, students build upon the lessons learned in introductory classes to produce, design, direct and act in a collection of one-act plays. This class is an exciting opportunity for students to exercise their creative autonomy and see their independent artistic visions come to life.

Through playful movement improvisations and simple choreographic tasks, participants will broaden their range of motion and understanding of what dance can be. Exploring different sources of inspiration such as images, poetry, current events, and music, students will create original choreography in a fun and nurturing environment. All genres, traditions, and styles of dance will be welcomed and celebrated. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Students may take Choreography more than once, building and expanding on their creative skills.

Modern Dance, an ever-evolving art form rooted in rebellion, encourages self-expression through movement. Embracing a variety of styles, students will gain an understanding of Contemporary Dance forms that have evolved out of the Modern Dance tradition. Technical exercises, designed to safely increase each dancer’s range of motion, will evolve into more complicated (and fun!) movement sequences. No previous movement experience is necessary; experienced dancers are welcome.

Students may take Modern Dance & Contemporary Dance Technique more than once, deepening their technique.

Every good speech tells a story. This performance-oriented course will strengthen your public speaking skills for a variety of situations: formal presentations, personal storytelling, and persuasive speeches. Empower yourself to be more articulate, confident and brave!

From constructing scenery to hanging stage lights, this entirely hands-on course will develop the practical skills of technical theater.  Learn to use power tools, paint wood to look like brick, build giant spiders, upholster diner booths, wire and hang lights, and more!