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Theatre Classes
​at First Colonial HS

FCHS Course Registration Hub
VBCPS Course Guide

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS 4X4 (LAC450)

Scheduling: 4x4 (Fall or Spring Term)
Ideal for: Incoming 9th grade FC students, students who need their Fine Arts graduation credit, FC students who want to be involved in performing arts but don't know anything about music or are unable to make an after-school commitment.
Two-Sentence Overview: The Introduction to Theatre Arts class gives an overview of the art form, including theatre history, physical movement, vocal choices, character development, and technical theatre. By evaluating productions, engaging in exercises, and reflecting on artistic choices, the Intro class ends with a culminating performance project.
Pre-Requisite Requirements: NONE! Anyone can sign up for this class.
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Members of the Intro Class show off their outfits for Twin Day.
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Journey shows off her final puppet for the Voice Acting unit.
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The Fall 2022 Intro class takes a bow at the end of their class performance, "15 Reasons Not to Be in a Play."
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Spring 2023 Intro students show off their Spirit Day outfits for "Zoom Day."

PUBLIC SPEAKING I 4X4 (LAC300)

Scheduling: 4x4 (Fall or Spring Term)
Ideal for: FC students of any grade level (and any ability level) looking to improve their skills speaking and presenting in front of groups or crowds.
Two-Sentence Overview: Students have the opportunity to learn about the different types of presentations and speeches they might be expected to give in front of an audience. Speakers practice conducting research, training for vocal production, and demonstrating proper audience etiquette.
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Pre-Requisite Requirements: NONE! Anyone can sign up for this class.
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Charlie delivers a demonstrative how-to speech on changing a tire.
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Chase shares about a topic important to him for his holiday informative speech.
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Chris provides an overview of a historical figure as if he is being introduced as a guest speaker at a conference.

CINEMA STUDIES 4X4 (LAC444)

Scheduling: 4x4 (Fall or Spring Term)
Ideal for: 11th and 12th grade FC students (or eager 10th graders) who enjoy viewing and discussing movies.
Two-Sentence Overview: Yes, this class is what it sounds like! The course is divided into multiple units, each focusing on a specific genre of film. Students watch films that are particularly representative of the genre, then discuss, write about, research, or imitate those genres.
Pre-Requisite Requirements: This course is open to sophomores who have previously taken Introduction to Theatre Arts (LAC450); OR juniors and seniors without pre-requisite.
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Gabe, Justin, and Kai produced and appeared in their silent film "The Scientist of the Swamp."
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Students record a film for the school's 2023 narrative genre entry in the VHSL Film Festival.
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The Cinema Studies curriculum includes learning about the steps of the filmmaking process, including storyboarding (such as the sample above).

PERFORMANCE THEATRE (LA1419)

Scheduling: Year (A or B Day)
Ideal for: Students in grades 10-12 who enjoy acting and appearing on stage.
One-Sentence Overview: In this course, students work with each other to explore various methods of scene work and acting philosophies, and there are generally two performances for the class over the year (one each semester).
​Prerequisite Requirements: Introduction to Theatre Arts (LAC450) or instructor approval required.
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Repeat Credit Opportunity: Performance Theatre class may be taken multiple times for credit and would satisfy the sequential elective requirement.
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Performance class students appear in the short play "Sketch Pod" as part of the Rogues' Gallery class play showcase.
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A guest speaker and FC alum shares his experience with the college program and audition process with the Performance class.
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Many students from the Performance class applied the audition and rehearsal techniques learned in class to their preparation for the 2023 spring musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE.

TECHNICAL THEATRE (LA1443)

Scheduling: Year (A or B Day)
Ideal for: Students in grades 10-12 who would rather work "behind the scenes."
Two-Sentence Overview: TECHNICAL THEATRE focuses on the backstage elements of theatre: scenery, props, costumes, sound, lights, make-up, hair, and publicity. This course doesn't have performances of its own - since its members tend to indicate that they would rather work behind the scenes - but they contribute to current mainstage shows and other class showcases.
​Prerequisite Requirements: Introduction to Theatre Arts (LAC450) or instructor approval required.
Repeat Credit Opportunity: Technical Theatre class may be taken multiple times for credit and would satisfy the sequential elective requirement.
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Ms. Baigert and Mr. Craig stop by for a crash-course in operating the lighting and sound equipment in "The Castle"!
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Artistic students use scale drawing techniques to provide the scene painting needed for the 2023 spring play AS SHE LIKES IT.
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Students practice using machine and hand-sewing techniques during the Costume Construction unit.
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Showing off their final products of the Costume Construction unit: 100% student-designed, patterned, and constructed pillow monsters!

STUDIO THEATRE (LA1453)

Scheduling: Year (A or B Day)
Ideal for: Students in grades 10-12 who excel in multiple areas of theatre: acting, technical work, playwriting, and directing.
Two-Sentence Overview: Like a visual artist working in a studio setting, the Studio Theatre course invites its members to experiment with different aspects of drama: playwriting, directing, acting, management, and technical areas. Members consider the needs of the school or their own artistic growth in selecting meaningful projects to express their mastery of the art.
​Prerequisite Requirements: Performance Theatre (LA1419), Technical Theatre (LA1443), or instructor approval required.
Repeat Credit Opportunity: Studio Theatre class may be taken multiple times for credit and would satisfy the sequential elective requirement.
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Students experiment with physical movement while blocking the June 2023 Studio+Performance class showcase play, "Hamlet and Zombies."
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The Studio Theatre curriculum includes practice and experience with directing, which Charlye applied as the director for the Spring 2023 musical BYE BYE BIRDIE.
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Members of the Studio Theatre class dressed up as cast members of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL for Homecoming High School Movie Character Day.

CHORUS CLASSES -
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR
​THOSE WHO ENJOY MUSICAL THEATRE!

MIXED CHORUS (MU9282)

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Icon by Freepik
Scheduling: Year (A or B Day)
Ideal for: Students in grades 9-12 who may be taking chorus (or any music class) for the first time and would like to learn more about reading music and practice singing in an ensemble.
Two-Sentence Overview: Mixed Chorus provides students with the opportunity to start singing in an ensemble, either in unison or harmony with peers. Musicians will participate in concert and other performances as they train and refine their natural talent.
​Prerequisite Requirements: NONE! Anyone can sign up for this class.
Repeat Credit Opportunity: Mixed Chorus class may be taken multiple times for credit and would satisfy the sequential elective requirement.
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MADRIGAL VOCAL ENSEMBLE (MU9280)

Scheduling: Year (A or B Day)
Ideal for: Students in grades 9-12 who already have some choral experience, might already know how to read music, and can confidently sing a harmony part.
Two-Sentence Overview: Madrigal Vocal Ensemble is the advanced, artist-level vocal music course offered at FC. Students are separated by the four main vocal parts and may sing a capella songs in harmony while taking on more responsibilities and leadership roles to create and maintain a concert-ready ensemble.
​Prerequisite Requirements: Mixed Chorus and/or instructor approval required.
Repeat Credit Opportunity: Madrigals class may be taken multiple times for credit and (either repeated multiple years or taken after Mixed Chorus) would satisfy the sequential elective requirement.
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If you have questions about chorus classes at FC, please contact Ms. Clifford at [email protected]!
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  • Home
  • Tickets
    • Thespian Tickets
  • About
    • History
    • Remembering Nancy Curtis
  • Calendar
  • Classes
  • Portfolio
  • Partners
    • Sky Curtis Memorial Scholarship
  • Troupe 3178
  • Canvas Course