NEW 9th-12th Grade Program

Photo Courtesy of Tom Henderson Photography

Matthews Playhouse is excited to offer the following wide range of courses for our High School students, specializing in Musical Theatre, Acting and Technical Theatre. Our 9th-12th Grade Programming is for serious-minded theatre students who are committed to attending classes each week and spending time outside of the classroom working on material. No experience is necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who participate in the fall and/or winter Semester of School of Theatre (SOT) are invited to audition for the 2024 Spring School of Theatre (SOT) Productions, and will be eligible for a role based on availability. Receiving a role is not guaranteed.

Advanced Musical Theatre 102

Offered: Winter 2024; Tuesday OR Thursday

Fee: $250

Class Description: Advanced Musical Theater 102

This 10 week course will familiarize the student with the styles of dance most frequently used in musical theatre and vocal techniques for musical theatre singing to develop range and flexibility. Students will learn choreography from various musical theatre dance genres to perform and will develop a system of notation for recording choreography. They will also be taught to mark music and plan and select songs in their range for an audition. Students will work in the dance studio and the classroom each week. Students will need to purchase jazz shoes, and are asked to dress ready to dance and move, and to bring a notebook and pencil to each class.

Students who have participated in the Fall 2023 session will benefit from classes in the Winter 2024 session without repeating material.

Tuesday Classes

Winter (10 Weeks)

Day/Time: Tuesdays @ 7:00pm-9:00pm

Winter Semester Dates: January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 5, 12

Winter Semester Parent Invite: Tuesday, March 12

Thursday Classes

Winter (10 Weeks)

Day/Time: Thursdays @ 6:30pm-8:30pm

Winter Semester Dates: January 11, 18, 25 February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 March 7, 14

Winter Semester Parent Invite: Thursday March 14

Photo Courtesy of Tom Henderson Photography

Wednesday Classes

Winter (10 Weeks)

Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Winter Semester Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13

Winter Semester Parent Invite: Wednesday March 13

Students who have participated in the Fall 2023 session will benefit from classes in the Winter 2024 session without repeating material.

Advanced Acting 102

Offered: Winter 2024; Wednesdays

Fee: $250

Class Description: Advanced Acting 102

This 10 week course is centered on scene study and audition techniques. The focus is on learning about and refining a practical acting process that can be tailored for each individual actor. This process can effectively be used for acting in film, television, and on stage.

The class will include giving your character a voice and physical characteristics for the actor. We will also explore instruction on audition technique, and helping actors understand what audition material works best.

Technical Theatre- Design & Stagecraft 101

Offered: Winter 2023; Wednesdays

Fee: $250/per semester

Class Description:

This course takes students from ideation to execution on stage. Students will learn the basics of design and how theatrical artists create imaginary worlds on stage. Students will discover technology, terminology and techniques used by theatrical designers to make their ideas come to life. In addition, students will build skills in hands-on stagecraft techniques by aiding in the production of the current show. Students will assist with construction, painting or light electrical work to build practical theatrical experience. These tasks and skills vary greatly from show to show, and can be as diverse as metal fabrication or sewing. We ask that students come with an open mind and willingness to dig in and learn the unconventional world of stagecraft for live audiences. Lastly, students will learn the basics of maintaining a performance space as well as an orientation to the lighting and sound systems in Fullwood Theater.