At Mechanicsville, there are many opportunities for students to get involved both onstage and behind the scenes in our award-winning theater program. Our comprehensive curriculum includes beginning to advanced level acting techniques, voice and speech, and physical acting and movement. Other topics include theater history, playwriting, scene study, monologues, improvisation, Greek theater, and Shakespeare.
Additionally, we have a play production component in which students learn about the technical elements of theater. We enjoy student-driven mainstage productions, one-act play festivals, and assisting with children’s productions.
Tweets by The Mechanicsville Theater Company
Theater I is an introductory class. Students will learn the basic terminology associated with theater along with audition techniques, pantomime and improvisation, theater history, production roles and scene work.
Theater II focuses on refining acting skills through the study of the voice, dialects, make up and design roles. Students will also study directing and script writing. Students are expected to participate in the after school theater program. Theater Arts I and/or teacher recommendation is a prerequisite for this class.
Advanced Theater can be taken more than one year, and students can earn weighted credit for this course. Students must pass a pretest and must complete additional assignments in order to earn weighted credit. Students will synthesize their previous learning by focusing on production. They will learn to collaborate as a production company by fulfilling different roles both onstage and behind the scenes. Students will produce scenes throughout the year. Students are required to see and evaluate 4 live theater productions and are expected to participate in the after school theater program. Theater Arts I and II and/or teacher recommendation is a prerequisite for this class.
International Thespian Society
Theater students have the opportunity to earn points toward induction into MHS’s chapter of International Thespian Society (ITS), which recognizes excellence in theater nationally. ITS annually produces Project Direct, a student directed scene night, and sponsor the Encore Awards, which celebrate excellence in theatrical performance.