COURSES | EPIC

Redwood Theater Arts is designed as a student-run theater company — Ensemble Production Company (EPIC) — which enables students to apply their classroom learning to the experience of rehearsal and performance each semester. Participation in the Theater Arts program at Redwood is open to all students without audition. Students may enter the program during any year of their school career.

ACTING

DRAMA 1-2 (BEGINNING DRAMA)

(UC “f”, CSU)

Get in on the ground floor of the EPiC Theatre Company in Beginning Drama. Explore fundamental acting techniques, movement, voice, and script analysis. There is a culminating One Act Festival for both the Fall and Spring semesters. We perform at night after school for friends and family. Join us for an unforgettable journey of theatrical exploration, making friends along the way! Open to all students grade 9-12.

DRAMA 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE DRAMA)

(UC “f”, CSU)

Drama 3-4 goes deeper with monologues, scenes, improvisation, children’s theater, and ensemble-based performances. Refine your skills and enjoy the fun of being in a creative and supportive theater community. Prerequisites include Drama 1-2 or consent of the instructor. Performances will be presented to the public and the Redwood community during the One Act Festival. Open to all students grades 10-12.

DRAMA 5-6 (ADVANCED DRAMA)

(UC “f”, CSU)

Drama 5-6 is for students wishing to continue beyond Intermediate Drama. Students focus on learning all aspects of operating the student run theater company (EPIC). The class utilizes small groups to dive deep into theatrical training based on student interest. Open to all students grade 11-12.

HONORS DRAMA 5-6

(UC “f”, CSU)

This year-long honors junior-level course is designed for committed students who are prepared to participate in three major drama projects (acting or technical theater after school) over the course of the school year. The class utilizes small groups to dive deep into theatrical training based on student interest.Concurrent enrollment in Stagecraft 1-2 is required. Open to all students grades 11-12.

DRAMA 7-8

(UC “f”, CSU)

Students run all aspects of the theater company, rehearse, and perform in major productions. An after-school commitment is required. The class utilizes small groups to dive deep into theatrical training based on student interest. Open to all grade 12 students.

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HONORS DRAMA 7-8

(UC “f”, CSU)

This year-long senior-level course expands on the Advanced Drama 7-8 curriculum to include three major production projects outside of school. Concurrent enrollment in Stagecraft 3-4 is required. The class utilizes small groups to dive deep into theatrical training based on student interest. Open to all grade 12 students.

TECHNICAL THEATER

THEATRE PRODUCTION 1-2

(UC “f”, CSU)

Theater Production can be taken during the school day or as an after school class. Join the dynamic student-operated theater company called Epic! Learn lighting design, sound design, backstage running crew, and introductory scenic design principles. Work with costumes and stage make-up. Get credit for joining the crew or acting in a main stage production. Training sessions and rehearsals ensure pro skills and fun collaborations. Repeat the course for even more theatrical adventures! Open to all students grade 9-12.

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STAGECRAFT 1-2

(UC “f”, CSU)

This course is designed to expose students to basic theater production elements and design. During the year students will learn basic stagecraft techniques, sound production and operation, lighting design and theater electronics, fundamentals of prop and costume design and implementation, projection technology, backstage practices, and stage management. Students will learn the basics of front of house and theater management, including box office, house management, and fundraising, concessions, publicity, and creation of programs. Students learn safe working practices, to be accountable for their time, and to maintain a clean and organized workspace. Open to all students grades 11-12.

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STAGECRAFT 3-4

(UC “f”, CSU)

This course is a continuation of Stagecraft 1-2. Students expand their knowledge of basic theater production elements and design. During the year students learn more advanced stagecraft techniques, sound production and operation, lighting design and theater electronics, fundamentals of prop and costume design and implementation, projection technology, backstage practices, and stage management. Students will learn the basics of front of house and theater management, including box office, house management, and fundraising, concessions, publicity, and creation of programs. Students learn safe working practices, to be accountable for their time, and to maintain a clean and organized workspace. Open to all students grade 12.

DANCE:

DANCE FOCUS  (UC “f”, CSU) Dance focus is a unique opportunity to let loose after school dancing with Bay Area professional dance teachers, coming direct to you on our campus. Delve into dance styles from Jazz and Hip-Hop to Bhangra and Contemporary Ballet. Fall and spring performances, coupled with rehearsal commitments, offer a dynamic showcase of artistic fusion and collaborative exploration. This unique course, scheduled on Monday evenings, opens the stage to an exploration of movement, expression, and the amazing opportunities to learn from some of the best in the Bay Area. Open to all students grade 9-12.

THEATER DIRECTING:

HONORS THEATRE DIRECTING (UC “f”, CSU) "Honors Studies in Theatrical Direction" (Honors Theatre Directing) is tailored for those who seek to refine their skills by serving as teacher assistants and student directors in the Drama 1-4 core program. A meticulous course of study includes script analysis, rehearsal planning, technical preparation, conceptual development, playwriting, and the nuanced art of directing, all woven into a collaborative tapestry. Concurrent enrollment in Advanced Drama is strongly encouraged, marking a pinnacle of theatrical scholarship and collaborative exploration with new friends. Open to all students grades 11-12.

THEATER MANAGEMENT:

SENIOR PROJECTS IN DRAMA For select seniors, Senior Projects in Drama represents an opportunity to assume significant responsibility in the management of the theater company. Collaborating with staff, students design and execute projects in the EPIC production office, providing a capstone to their theatrical journey and a shared collaborative experience. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor is required.

THEATRE STUDIES:

SHAKESPEARE AND DRAMATIC LITERATURE (UC "b", CSU) This year-long course offers an immersive exploration of dramatic literature, combining an in-depth study of Shakespeare's works with a broader examination of theatrical traditions from around the world. In the first semester, students will focus on Shakespeare's plays. Through writing, performance-based analysis, and critical discussion, students will engage with the texts not only as literature but as live, performative art.The second semester shifts focus to a global perspective on drama. Students will explore the evolution of theatre across various cultures and time periods. By examining key plays from ancient playwrights and modern voices, students will understand how theatre reflects and shapes societies. This class teaches text analysis through the lens of performance, offering an engaging blend of literary analysis and theatrical practice, and is designed for students with a keen interest in literature, drama, and the performing arts. Open to all students grade 11-12.

VIDEO:

VIDEO TV AND MEDIA PRODUCTION 1-2 (UC “f”, CSU) TV and Media Production can be taken during the school day or as an after-school class. This course is a hands-on exploration of video technology. Students contribute to the creation of Redwood TV, our news program broadcast to thousands each week. This dynamic course is centered around student-driven projects, demanding active participation in all facets of the production process including pitching, planning, writing, filming, and editing weekly episodes. Students invest two to three hours weekly working in production teams. All equipment is provided. Open to all students grade 9-12.

TV AND MEDIA PRODUCTION 3-4 (UC “f”, CSU) This class is a continuation of TV and Media Production 1-2. Students build upon the knowledge they gained in TV media 1-2 and either learn a new aspect of production or take on a leadership role within the production team. This hands-on course covers all aspects of video technology in the creation of Redwood TV. This course requires two to three hours a week of time outside of class. Prerequisite: TV and Media Production 1-2. Open to all students grade 10-12.