In 7/8 Theater, students enter into a more serious relationship with text and character. Scene study is used with the intent of helping students work with intentions and connect with a character’s motivations. The goal is for them to commit to interpreting a text rather than simply reading words. Improvisation exercises are used to develop strong interaction with scene partners, help students be “in the moment,” and promote an emotional, rather than intellectual, connection with the scene. Students create their own text in response to writing assignments. They also study the mechanics of the vocal instrument, working with exercises to build vocal strength and help them discover and make use of their different resonators.

Theater Tech is centered around the responsibility of helping build the sets for the three main stage productions and DTW. This is real work, incorporating manual and power tools, painting, modeling techniques, and learning the specific skills that distinguish building for the theater. Students are exposed to the design components, working from the models and ground plans. They are integrated fully into the collaborative process and feel a strong connection to each production. When not building sets, the class engages in a buoyant investigation into less familiar theatrical worlds, like puppetry and Noh. They will also work on fun projects involving costume and prop design and building.