Edison Theater Classes Page

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It is just as important to perform well in your classes as it is important to perform well on stage. This page is designed to be a resource to help Edison Drama students perform to their fullest potential both on-stage AND off-stage!

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Parents: Are you still unsure if Drama is the right place for your student?
Did you know that Theater at Edison is open to ALL students? At Edison, all students are encouraged to participate in the performing arts. The arts benefit students of all ages, races, socio-economic background, and ability.

According to the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, recent studies prove that integrating the arts into education enhances a student's development and performance. Students learning through the arts are more able to think at a higher level, collaborate with their peers, and score higher on standardized tests.

Furthermore, the arts can open the world to students who have trouble learning from traditional methods. The arts are intellectual disciplines - requiring complex thinking and problem solving - that offer students the opportunity to construct their own understanding of the world. For example, performing plays is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a theme and learn about it in a profound and personal way. Acting out historical or literary figures and events gives students a sense of ownership about what they've learned, allowing them to acquire a deeper appreciation of the subject matter. Please visit the National Center for Learning Disabilites to learn more about the benefits of the arts.

Theater classes at Edison strive to include all students. New techniques are constantly being implemented to better serve our students. For information and resources on the arts for students with special needs, please visit the E-bility site: a directory of disabilites and health links.

Furthermore, all content areas can benefit from teaching stragies typically used in performing arts classes to better teach students with special needs. For more information on teaching strategies using the arts to enhance learning, please visit the Council for Exceptional Children.

The performing arts is an excellent way to develop the ability to fully express oneself, whether in writing or in interpersonal communications. In this increasingly demanding job market, experience in the arts gives students the ability to effectively collaborate and to think and act creatively at a higher level. These skills and many more will help them in the workplace and in any field of work. Please consider enrolling in a performing arts class at Edison.

The Edison Theater Classes:
Not sure which class is right for you? Read on....
For IB Theater course information, click here

Theater Arts I (141000) Credit: One
Theater Arts I provides students with a survey of the theater arts, allowing students opportunities to experience and appreciate dramatic literature, and participate in the creative processes of performance and production. The course emphasizes skill development and provides theatrical opportunities that enable students to determine personal areas of interest. Participation in co-curricular theatre productions may be arranged. This course will fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical arts.

Technical Theatre 1 (143511) Credit: One
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 1 or recommendation of the Theatre Arts instructor.
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 1 or recommendation of the Theatre Arts instructor.
Students explore various areas of technical theatre such as lighting, costumes, sound,
scenery, makeup, properties, and theatre management. An analysis of dramatic
literature leads students to an understanding of the design and production process.
Participation in co-curricular productions is strongly encouraged. This course will
fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical arts.

Theater Arts II 2 (142000) Credit: One
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 1 and/or recommendation of the Theatre Arts instructor.
Theatre Arts 2 integrates and builds upon concepts and skills from Theatre 1. Through various modes of expression and performance, students investigate dramatic literature, theatrical styles, and historical periods. Students will study and respond to a variety of theatre experiences which will refine their communicative, collaborative, analytical, interpretive, and problem solving skills. Students will expand their artistic abilities and appreciate of the theatrical arts. Participation in co-curricular theatre productions may be arranged. This course will fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical arts.

Theatre Arts 3 (143000) Credit: One
Prerequisite—Performance Focus: Theatre Arts 2 and/or recommendation of
the Theatre Arts instructor.
Prerequisite—Technical Focus: Technical Theatre 2 and or recommendation of
the Theatre Arts instructor.
Students exhibit independence, discipline, and commitment to the theatre process
through their work on assigned projects. Advanced work in acting skills and preparation,
play analysis, and character interpretation is augmented by special assignments
and opportunities. Technical elements of theatre will be incorporated into assignments
on this level. Strong participation in co-curricular theatre productions will be encouraged.
This course may be used to satisfy the graduation requirement for a credit in fine
and practical arts.

IB Theater:
Click here for more information about IB Theater classes at Edison
(recommended as a two year class)
IB Theater Arts I (standard level) and IB Theater Arts II (higher level) Course Codes:

IB Theatre Arts SL 1—143008: Grade 11
IB Theatre Arts SL 2—144008: Grade 12
IB Theatre Arts HL 1—143009: Grade 11
IB Theatre Arts HL 2—144009: Grade 12

Students engage in an in-depth study of the nature, theories, and processes of theatre and theatrical production through both practical and theoretical applications of the art form. Concurrently, students involve their senses, bodies and emotions to understand the forms theatre takes in cultures other than their own. Students are required to take the IB examination.

Standard level students will develop a portfolio including a journal of 3000 words and visual materials which catalog the development of the student's performance skills and production contributions.

Higher level students complete a critical evaluation of an external production plus an Individual Study consisting of a self designed project in written form which becomes part of the journal. Students develop a high degree of aptitude in acting, directing, playwriting, or design.

Film Study
(also taught by Ms. Passey)
Film Study involves the study of classic and award-winning films. Students critique both the artistic and technical merits of the films. They study the development of theme, plot, characterization and setting in each production. This course will fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine or practical arts.

At Edison you can be involved in and gain theatrical experience during and after school!

Enroll in Theater Classes..... you will gain valuable skills in performance, production, world theater studies, and analysis. While it is not required to enroll in theater classes to participate in extra-curricular theatrical productions at Edison, it is helpful and does increase your performance opportunities.

The aim of Edison's Theater classes is to understand the nature of the theater. Students are encouraged to pursue the IB Theater program and all classes are designed to prepare students to be HL Theater students.

What is IB? The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course of studies leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated high school students. The IB Theater class fulfills the Group 6: Arts and Electives requirement.

Edison theater students will study and explore theater

As individuals
As members of ensemble
As theatre persons
As a critical persons
As a critical audience
As members of society
As members of an International Community

THE KNOWLEDGE DERIVES FROM

Intellectual analysis
Emotional experience
understanding with the mind, the senses, and the body

There are five areas of focus for the student exploring Theater in the IB Theater Arts program

Performance Skills
World Theatre Studies
Practical Play Analysis
Theatre Production
(HL) Individual Project

The goal of IB Theatre is to ultimately come to an understanding of the Art of the Stage, and of the essential nature of criticism in the Theatre, especially self-criticism.