Theater Arts

Envision. Perform. Transform.

At Dalton, theater is more than performance — it's a collaborative journey of learning, risk-taking, and creative discovery. The Theater Department cultivates a culture where students explore the art form from every angle: acting, directing, text, movement, light, sound, and design. Through coursework, productions, and guided independent studies, students grow as artists and develop a shared artistic language. They learn to observe with intention, reflect with honesty, and offer critique that is both generous and incisive — growing not just as artists but as thoughtful collaborators.

Each year, a wide range of dramatic works and performance styles come to life on Dalton's stages, inviting students into the unique interplay of discipline and imagination that defines the art of theater.

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Building a Collaborative Community

Through shared experiences in production and independent projects, young theater artists learn the value of teamwork and constructive critique. Students gain a deep appreciation for the many facets of theater production, from costume and set design to stage management and direction.

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Empowering Theater Artists of Tomorrow

The Theater program cultivates student agency, encouraging performers to take ownership of their craft through the rehearsal process and production choices. By reimagining classics and exploring new works, students bring fresh perspectives to the stage, using theater as a tool for storytelling and casting a light on social topics.

Signature productions, including Into the Woods, Middle School One Acts, Middle School Musical, High School Musical, High School Play Festival, and Senior Capstone projects, offer diverse opportunities for students to develop their voices as artists and engaged community members.

Theater Arts Curriculum

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First Program

Dance and theater arts come together in First Program to build a strong foundation in movement and storytelling. Through creative movement, students develop self-expression, imagination, and essential social-emotional skills, like intellectual risk-taking, cooperation, and collaboration. Inspired by books, arts, mathematics, and fairy tales, students explore dance concepts while deepening their understanding of various topics.

Theater enhances this experience by fostering collaborative storytelling through voice, body, and words. Students engage in improvisation, puppetry, character study, and dramatization, bringing poetry, art, historical figures, and literature to life.

Performances, showcasing student learning, include Dance Around the World, which introduces global dance styles, a 2nd grade musical incorporating dance with the NYC social studies curriculum, and a culminating 3rd grade Shakespearean play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

To learn more about the Dance program, please click on the First Program curriculum guide.
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Middle School

The Middle School Theater program is an inclusive, engaging environment that encourages all students to explore the art of theater performance. Through curriculum and productions, students develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration while discovering their unique artistic voices.
The program focuses on:
- Building a supportive community of learning and artistic expression
- Encouraging collaborative relationships through text, voice, music, rhythm, movement, and design
- Cultivating habits of observation, self-reflection, and constructive critique
- Exploring a diverse range of dramatic literature, performance styles, and thought-provoking programming
Middle School productions include MS One Acts, where students create original works inspired by themes such as "How Does AI Influence our Lives?" or "What's the Purpose of Theater?" Middle School musicals introduce students to a broad range of musical theater, from classics like 42nd Street to contemporary pieces like Disney’s Newsies, sometimes even incorporating original compositions.

Learn more in the Middle School curriculum guide.
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High School

The Dalton Theater Department, open to students with a wide range of abilities and interests, builds a collaborative and creative community of theater artists through classes, main stage productions, and independent projects.

Students engage in all aspects of theater — acting, directing, stagecraft, design, and devising — developing skills through projects and habits of observation, self-study, and theatrical imagination. The program empowers students to create original theater pieces in a variety of styles, with both faculty and student-directed productions. Through a broad range of dramatic literature, students actively contribute to every technical and artistic aspect of each show.

The Senior Project, performed annually in May, marks the culmination of each student’s Dalton theater journey and offers a chance to direct, design, act, or write for a production.
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