Theatre
Program Description
The Theatre Pathway is housed at Maurice J. McDonough High School. It is open to students who have an interest in theater performance, theater design and production. The program is designed to enhance the lives of students by providing a more arts-rich environment than traditional high school schedules.
Theatre Video
Program Information
Students will choose either the theatre performance (acting, musical theatre) or technical theatre (set/lighting/costume designer and directing) pathway.
Theatre Performance
Acting/Directing
Course Sequence
Theatre Foundations (1 Period) - YEAR 1
Acting for the Stage and Screen-H - for Acting track (1 Period) YEAR 2
Theatre Company 1-H (1 Period)
Theatre Company 2-H (2 Periods)
Sample Elective Classes
Acting Styles & Methods-H (highly encouraged for Actors/MT YEAR 3 or 4)
Writing for the Stage and Screen
Digital Media
Course descriptions can be viewed in the High School Program of Studies
Sample Schedule
Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | English | English | English | English | |
2 | Math | Math | Math | Math | |
3 | US History | LSN | World History | Elective | |
4 | Science | Science | Science | Science | |
5 | World Language | World Language | Health II/ Financial Literacy | Technical Education | |
6 | Chamber Choir | Chamber Choir II | Chamber Choir III | Chamber Choir IV | |
7 | Theatre Foundations | Acting for the Stage and Film | Theatre Company I | Theatre Company II | |
Extended Day | Fitness for Life/ Health I | Fundamentals of Costume and Makeup Design | CSM - Acting Styles and Methods | Theatre Company II |
*Note: The schedule above is a sample only. Students should always review course selections with school counselors and refer to the current Charles County Public Schools High School Program of Studies.
CTE CourseCTE Highly Recommended
Musical Theatre
Course Sequence
Theatre Foundations (1 Period) - YEAR 1
Acting for the Stage and Screen-H - for Acting track (1 Period) YEAR 2
Theatre Company 1-H (1 Period)
Theatre Company 2-H (2 Periods)
Sample Elective Classes
Show Choir I-IV
Musical Theatre Fundamentals (highly encouraged for MT yr 2 or 3)
Musical Theatre Dance Levels 1-4
Course descriptions can be viewed in the High School Program of Studies
Sample Schedule
Period | 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | English I | English II | English III | English IV |
2 | Math | Math | Math | Math |
3 | US History | LSN Government | World History | History |
4 | Science | Science | Science | Science/Elective |
5 | World Language | World Language | Health II/ Financial Literacy | Technical Education |
6 | Show Choir I | Show Choir II | Show Choir III | Theatre Company II |
7 | Theatre Foundations | Acting for the Stage | Theatre Company I | Theatre Company II |
Extended Day | Fitness for Life/ Health I | Dance for Musical Theatre | CSM - Acting Styles and Methods (Dual Enrollment) | Show Choir IV |
*Note: The schedule above is a sample only. Students should always review course selections with school counselors and refer to the current Charles County Public Schools High School Program of Studies.
CTE Course Recommended
Technical Theatre and Design
Course Sequence
Theatre Foundations (1 Period) - YEAR 1
Theatre Design and Production I-H - for TDP track (1 Period) YEAR 2
Theatre Company I
Theatre Company 2-H (2 Periods)
Sample Elective Classes
Theatre Design and Production II (highly encouraged for TDP YEAR 3 or 4)
Art I
Drawing and Design
Painting I
Course descriptions can be viewed in the High School Program of Studies
Sample Schedule
Period | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | English I | English II | English III | English IV |
2 | Math | Math | Math | Math |
3 | US History | LSN Government | World History | History / Elective |
4 | Science | Science | Science | Science / Elective |
5 | World Language | World Language | **Financial Literacy/Health II | Technical Education |
6 | Art I | Drawing and Design | Painting | Theatre Company II |
7 | Theatre Foundations | Technical Design and Production I | Theatre Company I | Theatre Company II (Double Period) |
Extended Day | Fitness for Life/ Health I (Graduation Req.) |
Fundamentals of Costume and Makeup Design | CSM - Technical Design and Production II (Dual Enrollment) | AP Studio Art |
*Note: The schedule above is a sample only. Students should always review course selections with school counselors and refer to the current Charles County Public Schools High School Program of Studies.
CTE CourseCTE Recommended
Audition
Acting
Prior to the Audition
- Attend the Spotlight on CTE at McDonough High School Auditorium. (Recommended)
- Practice the audition component to be demonstrated at the audition.
Description of the Audition
- Please prepare ONE of the following audition pieces. Pieces must be memorized. Pick One to Memorize, create a character, rehearse and then present live
- Check out the RUBRIC for the Audition
- Present your audition at your assigned time. Wear loose fitting clothing so you can move.
- Be prepared to do IMPROVISATION the day of in large groups.
Audrey From Little Shop of Horrors
Oh no. It’s just a daydream of mine. A little development I dream of. Just off the Interstate. Not fancy like Levittown. Just a little street in a little suburb, far, far from urban Skid Row. The sweetest, greenest place-- where everybody has the same little lawn out front and the same little flagstone patio out back. All the houses are so neat and pretty. . .” Cause they all look just alike. Oh, I dream about it all the time. Just me. And the toaster. And a sweet little guy. Like Seymour
Alice (As in Alice in Wonderland):
What a lazy day. With nothing to do. Perhaps I should have followed my sister when she left. ” Come along. Back to the house and I’ll fix you some tea. Don’t you want some tea, Alice?” I replied, “Not yet dear sister. I’m going to stay here for a while. By the stream. In the sunshine. I’ll have my tea later, thank you” (she sighs) Oh I do wish something unusual would happen. Something very unusual indeed
Matilda from Matilda
He’s over there under those coats. Where he’s been for the last hour. You see, unfortunately, Nigel suffers from the rare but chronic sleep disorder, narcolepsy. The condition is characterized by the sufferer experiencing bouts of chronic fatigue and falling suddenly asleep, often without knowing or any warning at all. You see he fell asleep, and we put him under the coats for safety. Didn’t we? Didn’t we??
Narrator from PUFFS:
Heroes. Made. Not born. Except, sometimes...they are born. On a gloomy night, in a far away, magical land called: England. Ah! A giant! Aw, a baby. His parents: dead. But he lives. He is the boy who lives. He has a scar. On his forehead. Shaped like...you know. You get it? You are familiar with this boy? Forget about him. This story is not about him. Ah! Another orphan. His parents: also, dead. Killed in a freak chocolate frog accident. Please don’t ask. This boy is whisked away to live with his uncle in the even more magical land of Cattlepoke Springs, New Mexico
Bruce from Matilda
Okay, look, alright, I stole the cake. And honestly, I was really, definitely, sort of almost thinking about owning up…maybe? But the thing was I was having a lot of trouble with my belly. You see, the Trunchbull’s cake was so good that I’d scoffed it down too quick and now it was beginning to fight back.
Audition Choices for Acting Pathway
Audition Rubric for Acting Pathway
Day of the Audition
- Arrival: Applicants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
- Attire: Performance majors should wear loose fitting clothing that allows movement. Hair must be secured away from the neck and face. No loose jewelry.
- Accompanying Adult: Adults can drop students off and return for pick up, or they can wait in the auditorium during auditions. No adults will be permitted to enter auditions or interviews.
- Audition Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
- Unforeseen Illness or Emergency: Please call 301-934-2944 as soon as you can. Leave a detailed voicemail if the call is not answered by a live operator. Please be aware that auditions will not be rescheduled without documentation verifying the illness or emergency.
- Inclement Weather: In the event that school activities are canceled due to inclement weather, auditions will be postponed. All emergency closing and cancellation information will be posted on the CCPS automated information line,301-934-7410 or 301-932-6655. Closings and cancellation announcements may also be made through local media.
After the Audition
- Students will be notified if callbacks (second round of auditions) are required.
- Students will be notified in February, or March if postponed because of inclement weather, if they are accepted into the program.
Musical Theatre
Prior to the Audition
- Attend the Spotlight on CTE at McDonough High School Auditorium. (Recommended)
- Practice the audition component to be demonstrated at the audition.
Description of the Audition
Perform a 1 minute ( 16 bar ) selection of one of the provided musical theatre songs listed below. The instrumental track will be provided from YouTube or you may bring your own. After all the monologues and songs are done, the group will be asked to do some Improvisation games to check willingness to try and creativity.
- Pick ONE of the songs to SING with the provided accompaniment track that is in your vocal range and showcases your voice the best.
- You will sing 16 bars so make them your best. Once you have learned the song, memorize it, put a little movement to it, and create the character from the Broadway show—make sure you are making choices about who this character is and make it as different from you as possible.
Voice Selections
Day of the Audition
- Arrival: Applicants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
- Attire: Performance Applicants should arrive wearing lose fitting clothing to be able to move for the Improvisation portion. Hair must be secured away from the neck and face. No loose jewelry (e.g. necklace, bracelet, hoop earrings) is to be worn for the audition.
- Accompanying Adult: Adults can drop students off and return for pick up, or they can wait in the auditorium during auditions. No adults will be permitted to enter auditions or interviews.
- Audition Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
- Unforeseen Illness or Emergency: Please call 301-934-2944 as soon as you can. Leave a detailed voicemail if the call is not answered by a live operator. Please be aware that auditions will not be rescheduled without documentation verifying the illness or emergency.
- Inclement Weather: In the event that school activities are canceled due to inclement weather, auditions will be postponed. All emergency closing and cancellation information will be posted on the CCPS automated information line,301-934-7410 or 301-932-6655. Closings and cancellation announcements may also be made through local media.
After the Audition
- Students will be notified if callbacks (second round of auditions) are required.
- Students will be notified in February, or March if postponed because of inclement weather, if they are accepted into the program.
Technical Theatre
Prior to the Audition
- Attend the Spotlight on CTE at McDonough High School Auditorium. (Recommended)
- Practice the audition component to be demonstrated at the audition.
Description of the Audition
Examples: Design, Scenic, Paint, Lights, Sound, Digital Projections, Costumes, Makeup, Stage Management, Set Construction, Theatrical Marketing and Properties.
PowerPoint Portfolio – You will present your PowerPoint technical portfolio from your application explaining what you created, your artistic process (decision making), and then answer questions about your work. Each presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes with 5 minutes for questions.
Sample Technical Theater Portfolio
Technical Theatre Portfolio and Interview Rubric
Day of the Audition
- Arrival: Applicants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
- Attire: Performance: No specific attire for the technical interview.
- Accompanying Adult: Adults can drop students off and return for pick up, or they can wait in the auditorium during auditions. No adults will be permitted to enter auditions or interviews.
- Audition Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
- Unforeseen Illness or Emergency: Please call 301-934-2944 as soon as you can. Leave a detailed voicemail if the call is not answered by a live operator. Please be aware that auditions will not be rescheduled without documentation verifying the illness or emergency.
- Inclement Weather: In the event that school activities are canceled due to inclement weather, auditions will be postponed. All emergency closing and cancellation information will be posted on the CCPS automated information line,301-934-7410 or 301-932-6655. Closings and cancellation announcements may also be made through local media.
After the Audition
- Students will be notified if callbacks (second round of auditions) are required.
- Students will be notified in February, or March if postponed because of inclement weather, if they are accepted into the program.
Capstone Project
Students will complete a capstone project in addition to the coursework with the guidance of a teacher mentor. Students choose one:
- Portfolio Presentation
- Performance Recital
- Research Project
The Theatre Capstone Program allows students to select a concentration in acting, technical theatre or musical theatre. The pathways will prepare students by training them with rigorous and culturally diverse material in the genres of comedy, drama, social justice, children’s theatre and musical theatre.