Intro to Theatre/Pre-AP Theatre
The first year of our program focuses on building a foundation of community, empathy, and resilience. Students are introduced to storytelling, Ancient Greek Theatre history, the foundations of improvisation, and comedy techniques. The Skylight Music Theatre offers their Teen Writes program for our freshmen, which involves students creating and performing a short piece. The year culminates in a public comedy show performance.

Theatre Arts Workshop
The second year focuses on collaboration and professionalism as students are introduced to the basics of technical design. Sophomores engage in scene work and script analysis from renaissance and modern realism texts, and they participate in the Skylight Music Theatre’s Musical Residency in the fall.

Advanced Acting & Acting for the Camera
This course provides students with a solid foundation for professional study as actors in theatre as well as in film/TV/radio. We focus on an academic and studio approach to the most significant playwrights and theoreticians of the 20th century. In keeping with the contemporary world, we study electronic media as well.

Stage Crew & Design
Students begin or continue script analysis and design work with symbolist, expressionist, and existentialist texts. They are responsible for the preparation and execution of the technical needs of all performances and films at MHSA.

Directing for Film & Theater
This course establishes the fundamentals of directing for both theater and film, including show selection, rehearsal schedules, best practices, and more. Level 4 Theatre students collaborate with Level 4 Design students for Senior Showcase and Film Study. Senior Showcase is the final, completely student-led (designing, directing, and performing) performance for theatre majors at MHSA.

Technical Theater & Advanced Design
Students begin or continue script analysis and design work for post-modern and African American texts. They are responsible for the preparation and execution of the technical needs of all performances and films at MHSA

Freshman at MHSA can perform through two showcases. The Comedy Showcase typically involves improv or short, scripted comedy scenes designed to practice timing, character work, and audience engagement. Students learn to be quick on their feet and build a rapport with others. The Ensemble Showcase emphasizes group work and collaboration over individual stardom. Students learn that every person on stage is vital to the performance. They build trust and learn how to work together as a cohesive unit.

At this level, students dive into more structured acting. Realism scene work involves playing characters who are believable and “real.” Students discover how to find the character’s internal thoughts (subtext) and motivations in everyday situations. Shakespeare introduces students to classical text and heightened language, challenging them to understand and convey complex emotions and poetic dialogue. This improves their vocal technique and ability to perform in a different style.

Level 3 marks a transition towards more professional and technical skills. The Junior Showcase is often a capstone project for juniors, who perform polished scenes, monologues, or songs for an audience. This prepares them for auditions and previews what they might do after high school. Acting for the Camera is a crucial modern skill. Students learn the technical differences between acting on stage and on film, such as how to work with close-ups, hit their marks, and use subtle facial expressions instead of big, theatrical gestures.

The final level focuses on advanced skills and leadership-oriented opportunities. Music Scenes allow students to integrate acting with singing and musicality, preparing them for musical theater. This involves understanding how music and lyrics can advance the plot and reveal a character’s inner state. Directing Scenes is a major responsibility where students move from being performers to leaders. They learn to be the primary storyteller, guiding fellow actors on blocking, character development, and the task of bringing the entire scene to life. Students develop leadership skills, hone their vision, and emerge with a deeper understanding of the entire production process.