David, I think the first thing you should do is look at the California standards for Theatre. It took me a while to find them, and it looks like new ones were finalized in March 2020. (I'm going to guess there was no fanfare due to the pandemic upturning all the educational tables at that time.) You can find them here:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/vapatheatrestds.docx. It looks like there are three specific course levels for high school: Proficient, Accomplished, and Advanced. That seems to imply that students have taken Theatre courses from Pre-K through 8th grade, which seems unlikely.
I taught in two states with Theatre Standards and Objectives. I started by imagining enjoyable units that could allow us to tick off multiple standards. Here in North Carolina, where I taught the last 19 years of my career, I couldn't imagine a way to accomplish the objectives without tying the courses except Theatre I to a production.
A one-teacher Theatre program needs to have a happy teacher, so don't be afraid to spend more time on the things that really light your fires. Find guest artists and professional development opportunities to build on your skills and make your program richer as you build it. No two Theatre programs are the same, and that is just fine.
I never wanted to head a Theatre program that sent all its graduates on to major in Theatre in college. I believe in life skills, both soft and practical, that educational Theatre involvement teaches, so I designed classes to be more than just Acting or Technical. Some students came in thinking they had to be in the spotlight, only to find that stage management was perfect, or playwriting, or costume design, or construction.
How easily students can access your classes should play a part as well. With block scheduling, four classes a day for a single semester, I had to have multiple ways for students to continue taking Theatre courses. I combined Play Production, Theatre III, and Theatre IV in one class period to work on the spring mainstage, for instance. Musical Theatre, a vocal music course, met with us on alternate years, giving us teachers as Director and Musical Director for the show. Theatre II produced a touring children's show during 1st period in the fall, but students who had taken multiple classes would take that course when they could fit it in for that particular experience. As I said, there is no one way to structure a program.
Here are the course descriptions I used. We had to start with Standard. I kept that designation for the Tech classes because they were not required to do work outside of class. Students were able to do more independent technical and design work in Play Production, Theatre III, and Theatre IV, along with acting, playwriting, and time required outside of class.
Best wishes!
Theatre Arts (Beginning) I
Students employ improvisation, voice and diction, storytelling, acting practice in scenes and monologues, theatre history, play reading, and an introduction to script writing and technical theatre to gain foundational knowledge of theatre arts.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard GRADE: 9-12
Theatre Arts (Proficient) II Honors - Fall
Through multiple acting assignments, including a play for children, students refine acting and design techniques. Students participate in a playwriting unit culminating in a two-person scene and utilize play reading to build on the historical timeline begun in Theatre I and informal research to support current productions.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: 531521 - Theatre Arts (Beginning) I
Theatre Arts Spcl (Proficient) Play Productions Honors
Students continue their study of theatre arts through the production of a play or musical for public performance. Students explore acting technique through the audition, rehearsal, and performance process. They accomplish technical work relating to the specific production, including scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. Students complete informal research inquiries relating to the production and careers in theatre, as well as continue play reading. They participate in a playwriting unit culminating in a two-person scene. Rehearsal time outside of class is required near performance time.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: 531521 - Theatre Arts (Beginning) I
Theatre Arts (Proficient) III Honors - Spring
Students continue to refine acting techniques through preparation of audition monologues, and public performances, including a play or musical. Informal research and play reading allow students to build on their knowledge of playwrights, directors, and designers. Students actively participate in various aspects of technical theatre, as well as a playwriting unit culminating in a three-person scene. Rehearsal time outside of class is required near performance time.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Theatre I and one additional Theatre Arts class
Theatre Arts (Advanced) IV Honors - Spring
Students utilize advanced acting techniques in preparation for a formal production and college or professional auditions. Students actively explore the roles of director, designer, dramaturg, and producer through work on a play or musical for public performance. They build on historical timelines by play reading. They participate in a playwriting unit culminating in a complete work. Rehearsal time outside of class is required near performance time.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of three (3) Theatre Arts classes, including Theatre Arts III Honors.
Theatre Arts Spcl (Intermediate) Tech Theatre
Students explore various areas of technical theatre through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. No previous experience in technical theatre is required. Students gain practical experience in set and prop design and construction; lighting design, rigging and board operation; costume design and construction; stage management; and directing. Students utilize play reading and informal research to support their design work. One in-class performance project is required.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: 531521 - Theatre Arts (Beginning) I
Theatre Arts Spcl (Intermediate) Tech Practicum
This course is for self-motivated students with some technical theatre experience. Students are responsible for design and operation of lights and sound for most productions and performances in the AHS Arts Theatre. Student technicians also complete research-based independent projects that further their knowledge and expertise in various areas of theatrical dramaturgy, design, and production. They complete one project involving acting. Time outside of school hours is required periodically.
CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Theatre I and Theatre II, OR Theatre I and Technical Theatre
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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2020 00:21
From: David Greaney
Subject: creating a theatre program
After years of non-existence my high school is finally deciding to create a Theatre program. I am being tasked with creating said program to present to the administration which is to include different classes, time frame for integrating the program over the next couple of years, etc. I am starting literally from scratch. I would welcome suggestions on how to start other than just Beginning Acting.
Thanks
David Greaney