Leigh High School

Drama Program Offerings

All Leigh High School students have the opportunity to make Theater a part of their life and their school schedule – either as a class or an

activity.

 Your Middle School Guidance Counselors, the Leigh Guidance Counselors and Vice Principal and the parents of the Leigh PAPA (Performing Arts

Parents Association) can tell you how

To transfer into one of these classes, email jpratt@cuhsd.org and bringsted@cuhsd.org and ask to change your schedule for this upcoming year.

DRAMA PROGRAMS OFFERED AT LEIGH:

Theater education at Leigh High School goes through a 4-year progression, with each year building on skills obtained the year before.

Technical theater education is taught in a 4 year program, with possible internship opportunities offered in the third and forth year.  Each class
gives 10 units of Performing/Fine Arts credit.

Drama 1:  

Students will learn the basic tenets of Theater in this activity based class.  Students learn scriptwrighting, acting, pantomime, mime, vocal
interpretation (including projection and diction), improvisation, musical theater, technical theater, and public speaking skills.  Performances are all
class based, and students are allowed to explore their personalities as actors in a safe, fun environment.  Students gain the life long skills of oral
presentation, group organization, artistic expression, and will learn how to feel comfortable in their own skin.  Students must first learn who they
are before they can truly portray a character, and therefore develop as a person throughout Drama 1.  This is an excellent class for Freshmen, as the
oral presentation skills will help them in every class they take at Leigh High school.  Advanced students will have the opportunity to perform at
CUHSD’s Drama Fest and the winter and spring showcases.  This is a prerequisite for the performance based Advanced Acting class: Drama 2.

Drama 2: 
Subtitled, “Advanced Acting”, this class is a rehearsal and performance class that works on a students acting ability.  Throughout this class, students
will practice scene work, create and perform in original pieces, participate in a touring company, develop powerful audition techniques and monologues
for both classic and contemporary auditions, perform in 2 evening showcases, and will have the opportunity to participate in DramaFest, a district wide
theatrical honors showcase performed at the Campbell Heritage Theater.

Drama 3: 
Subtitled, “Directing”, this class introduces advanced students to the basic theory and practice of directing a short play.

Drama 4 Honors: 
This honors course is available to seniors only and presents unique internship opportunities with local theater companies like Theater Works and San
Jose Repertory Theater to advanced Drama students.

Musical Theater 1 and 2: 
Students will learn the basic tenets of Musical Theater in this activity based class.  Students learn the basics of acting both in straight plays and
musicals, how to “sell” a song, vocalization techniques, and the basics of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern Dance styles as they apply to the world of Musical
Theater.  Students will also improve their rhythm and public speaking skills.  Performances are all class based, and students are allowed to explore
their personalities as actors, dancers, singers, and performers in a safe, fun environment.  Musical Theater 1 class can be taken as a prerequisite for
Drama or Musical Theater 2. Advanced students will have the opportunity to perform at CUHSD’s Drama Fest and the winter and spring showcases.

Technical Theater 1:  

This class introduces students to the world of Technical Theater.  It covers Lighting, Sound, Properties, Sets, Make Up, and Costume creation as well
as the basics of theatrical design.  This is a very “hands on” course perfect for students who desire a non-traditional performing arts class. This
class is more akin to a wood or metal shop than to a traditional “performing arts” class.  Basic computer skills are helpful, but not needed.

Technical Theater 2, 3, and 4 honors: 

These classes cover the basics of Theatrical Design.  This is a more artistically based class for students who have already taken Technical Theater
1.  Students are instrumental in designing all technical aspects of the Fall play, Spring Musical, and the Drama 2/3/4 showcases.

For additional information or if you have any questions contact:

Dave Manley, PAPA President                                  PAPA_President@leighpapa.org

Bryan Ringsted, Theater Director                                 bringsted@cuhsd