NEW 9th-12th Grade Program
Tuesday Classes
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Fall (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: *Tuesdays 7:00pm-9:00pm
Fall Semester Dates: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24; November 7, 14
(No Class on October 31, Halloween)
Fall Semester Parent Invite: Tuesday, November 14
* Please note that Tuesday Classes begin a week earlier than all other SOT classes (due to the Halloween break). Please mark your calendar accordingly
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Thursday Classes
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Fall (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Thursdays @ 6:30pm-8:30pm
Fall Semester Dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16
Fall Semester Parent Invite: Thursday November 16
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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) Performance, and will be eligible for a role based on availability. Receiving a role is not guaranteed.
Advanced Musical Theatre 101
Offered: Fall 2023; Tuesday OR Thursday
Fee: $250
Class Description: Advanced Musical Theater 101
(Prerequisite: Must be a rising 9th grader. No audition required.)
This is an intensive and highly focused course in learning how to act a song, while singing and dancing. The objective of this course is to teach students to perform musical theatre with a strong emotional connection. This course is designed to familiarize the student with the styles of dance most frequently used in Musical Theatre. In addition to acting coaching and vocal training, the students will be taught choreography of specific musical theatre dance genres. 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.
Oklahoma Jr., 2022
Photo Courtesy of Tom Henderson Photography
Advanced Acting 101
Offered: Fall 2023; Wednesdays
Fee: $250
Class Description:
​(Prerequisite: Must be a rising 9th grader. No audition required.)
In this 10-week advanced acting class, students get to create, build and collaborate with their peers developing their acting foundation through specific exercises. Part of improving their craft will be writing and then performing their own 1-2 minute monologue as well as directing another student using their work. This class will provide substantial opportunities to explore technique, interpretive and imaginative skills. We will be doing 2 and 3 person scenes where performers will learn the importance of being “in the moment” as well as being a proactive scene partner. Throw in several fun improv exercises, games, activities and the performer will have a unique and intense immersion into the theatre world.
This course lays the foundation for studying the discipline and art of acting, through exercises, games, reading, discussion, scene work, and analysis. We will clarify the necessity of learning the craft of acting and the unique spirit of collaboration that is inherent in theatre.
Wednesday Classes
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Fall (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 7:00pm-9:00pm
Fall Semester Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15
Fall Semester Parent Invite: Wednesday, November 15
PLEASE NOTE: Students who participate in the Fall and/or Winter Semester of SOT are invited to audition for the 2024 Spring School of Theatre (SOT) Performance, and will be eligible for a role based on availability. Receiving a role is not guaranteed.
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.
(The Winter Session will differ from the fall in order that students may participate in both sessions without repeating material)
Advanced Musical Theatre 102
Offered: Winter 2024; Tuesday OR Thursday
Fee: $250
Class Description: Advanced Musical Theater 102
(Prerequisite: Advanced Musical Theatre 101 or audition)
This 10 week course is a continuation of Advanced Musical Theatre 101.
This 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 continue to 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.
Tuesday Classes
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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
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Thursday Classes
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Winter (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 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
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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) Performance, and will be eligible for a role based on availability. Receiving a role is not guaranteed.
Animal Farm, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Tom Henderson Photography
Wednesday Classes
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Winter (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 6:30pm-8:30pm
Winter Semester Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13
Winter Semester Parent Invite: Wednesday March 13
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PLEASE NOTE: Students who participate in the Fall and/or Winter Semester of SOT are invited to audition for the 2024 Spring School of Theatre (SOT) Performance, and will be eligible for a role based on availability. Receiving a role is not guaranteed.
Advanced Acting 102
Offered: Winter 2024; Wednesdays
Fee: $250
Class Description: Advanced Acting 102
​(Prerequisite: Advanced Musical Theatre 101 or audition)
This 10 week course is a continuation of Advanced Acting 101 and 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: Fall & 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.
Tech Theatre Class, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Marisa Becker
Wednesday Classes
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Fall (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 5:00pm-7:00pm
Fall Semester Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15
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Winter (10 Weeks)
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 5:00pm-7:00pm
Winter Semester Dates: January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13
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