Theatre - Arts - McDonogh School
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Arts

Theatre

McDonogh's theatre program provides students with experiences that reveal their artistic passion and creativity. Students learn that theatre is not simply about performance but also the process we go through in order to discover, refine, and tell stories. Students in all three divisions encounter theatre in a multitude of ways and ultimately learn to use theatrical tools to collaborate, problem-solve, and adapt to their world.

Lower School

Theatre is woven into daily routines in a variety of ways in Lower School. In Performing Arts class, students learn about character-study, perspective-taking, and creative expression, and they are encouraged to utilize those skills when performing in the classroom and on stage. Theatre is also a large part of the public-facing performances that students engage in throughout the school year including Kindergarten Blooms, the Lower School Halloween assembly, the first and fourth grade capstone plays, and Celebrate!—our annual winter holiday performance.

Middle School

Our Middle School theatre program is an immersive experience in which students learn the art of theater. Through ensemble-based work, they collaborate and build their confidence and creativity by developing original pieces, focusing on scene study, and practicing improvisation. The program instills a love for the performing arts and fosters a supportive community for our young performers. Performance opportunities include open studio one act plays, arts festival performances, and a full-length Middle School production.

Upper School

In Upper School, students realize their potential for creative discovery by tapping into their inherent curiosity. Through a process-oriented approach in the studio classroom, the program focuses on the journey of turning self-exploration into dramatic expression. Curricular courses begin with a study of the basics of theatre arts and move toward more specific training in improvisation, acting, and directing. Our extracurricular productions range from classics and full-scale musicals to student-written plays. There are typically three extracurricular productions a year with students playing a large role in everything from direction and stage management to set-design, light and sound, costumes, and make-up. Whatever their role, theatre students are provided with high-quality training that strengthens their technical skills, confidence, and creativity.