Productions
The purpose of our productions is to give an avenue for students to develop creatively, intellectually and productively and to inform, entertain and impact our community and school. The Theatre Arts Department provides quality stage productions where students are able to perform, direct, manage, tech, create, build and design.
Fall Musical - This is an opportunity for all students to
perform or crew a Broadway type musical for the community and school. An
audition process will determine cast members and an interview procedure will
determine crew members. Cast members will need to participate in a rehearsal
process that will begin the third week of September to the second week in
November after school from 3pm to 6pm Monday- Friday. Specific days depending
on role will be determined and a schedule given to the students after
auditions. Saturday work parties are a requirement of each cast and crew
member. Work parties begin the last Saturday of September till the second
Saturday in November.
One Acts - This is an opportunity for advance theatre arts students to direct and production manage their peers in five separate thirty-minute productions. These plays will be performed for the community in evening performances. These shows are geared for underclassmen to perform but all levels can participate. Technical Directors and Managers will be chosen from the Stagecraft class and set design, construction and production aspects will be produced during Stagecraft class. There will be only one work party the weekend before the production. Cast members will need to participate in a rehearsal process that will begin the first week of December to the second week in January after school from 3pm to 5pm Monday- Friday. There will be no rehearsals held during the Holiday Vacation.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre - This is an opportunity for
theatre arts students to perform in an interactive dessert theatre production.
This play will be performed for the community in evening performances in the
cafeteria. These shows are geared for all levels to act and direct. Cast
members will need to participate in a rehearsal process that will begin the
last week of January to the first week of March after school from 3pm to
5pm Monday- Friday.
Spring Production - This is an opportunity for all students to perform or crew a Production for the community and school. An audition process will determine cast members and an interview procedure will determine crew members. Cast members will need to participate in a rehearsal process that will begin the first week of March to the second week in May after school from 3pm to 6pm Monday- Friday. Specific days depending on role will be determined and a schedule given to the students after auditions. Saturday work parties are a requirement of each cast and crew member. Work parties begin the last Saturday of March till the second Saturday in May.
Department Events
Thespian Initiation - Thespian membership is granted for the outstanding work in Theater Arts. Specifically, students become members by earning points for the hours of work contributed to their Theatre Arts department. Any student who has participated in at least two productions and for a total of ten thespian points is eligible for membership. At the end of every year there is a formal ceremony where members are inducted into the International Thespian Society. Only current Thespians may attend. This initiation is an honor and a tribute to the quality work that the student has contributed. To be inducted and to receive a membership card and a subscription to a renowned Theatre Arts magazine and to be eligible for Theatre Arts scholarships there is a one-time fee that is sent to the International Thespian Society.
Associate Awards - The purpose of the Associate Awards to advance the standards of excellence in Theatre Arts at Gresham High School and to honor those students who have done outstanding work in the theatre program. It is a formal evening of performances and awards and a special way to say goodbye to all the seniors. Special Alumni will be asked to present the awards. This is an amazing night for parents, grandparents, community members, alumni and students alike. Come see our best students perform for the last time of year.
Mission Statement
The Gresham High School Theatre Arts Department's goal is to create an environment that is welcoming and engaging to all of its members. Our department provides for the development of imaginative, purposeful, and skilled expression in the theatre, and for students' artistic, intellectual, and personal growth. It is a place where the students can explore, develop and find their imagination, talents and creativity without feeling judged, labeled, or threatened. We hope to form a bond that enables each member to be an equal part of our department.
Productions - Gresham High School Theatre Arts
Department provides quality stage productions where students are able to
perform, manage, tech, create, build and design.
Associates - The Theatre Arts department
makes available professionals in the Theatre who help train our students in
different areas. They provide instruction in specialized areas such as lighting
and set design, costume design, choreography, play writing, etc... These
professionals are also a resource to help the students develop and create
quality products for our productions such as scenery, props, scripts, lighting
and costumes.
Competitions - The Theatre Arts department is also a current member of the International Thespian Society and Mt. Hood Theater League where we actively participate in competitions and theatre festivals. Gresham is consistently honored with awards for outstanding performances at these events. The department also enjoys trips to see professional productions in Portland.
School and Community - The
department actively participates in the high school and community. Students
participate in performances for grade, middle and high school assemblies. They
perform at special events for the school such as the talent show and
graduation. Also our students stage manage and tech for concerts, assemblies,
promotions, convocations and all events in the auditorium.
Student Directed Productions - The
department gives students opportunities to direct, design, write and tech the
One acts, Murder Mystery Dessert Theatre and lunch Box Theater productions.
Theater Arts Council - The Student Drama Council is a group of students who are elected by the Theatre Arts thespians to represent the entire theatre arts department in all its endeavors. The council improves the quality of the department through their leadership and dedication to the GHS Theatre Arts Department.
Volunteers - We have an active volunteer group of parents and community members, who help facilitate all our many events. Our volunteers make it possible for us to offer so many opportunities to our students by assisting with the execution of all the productions and they are an intricate part of our success.
Acting Competitions
The purpose of
the acting competitions is to allow students to prepare and compete in the
audition process needed for college and professional theatre. The Theatre
Arts department is a current member of the International Thespian Society and
Mt. Hood Theater League where we actively participate in competitions and
theater festivals. Gresham is consistently honored with awards for outstanding
performances at these events.
District - District wide performing opportunity with
performance preparation needed. Monologues and Duo scenes compete. Intermediate
and Advance Drama classes are required to participate.
Regional - Regional wide performing opportunity with
preparation needed. There are two areas of expertise, which are novice and
experience. Categories include monologues, duo, group and pantomime acting
scenes; solo, duo and group musical scenes. Opportunity to participate goes to
the top rating students from districts and then first students who sign up.
Musical Theatre Scenes are picked by audition if needed.
State - State wide performing opportunity with preparation needed. Top 10% in each category at Regional and 1st place in novice may compete. Winning One Act from Gresham One Acts may compete.
Acting Festivals
The purpose of
Acting Festivals is to give student an occasion to explore career opportunities
in the theatre field with professionals. The festivals will provide workshops
with professional actors, directors, writers, designers, and technicians.
Theater Exploration Day - District wide Theatre Arts
event is an opportunity for students to participate in workshops with Theatre
professionals. Intended primarily as an Intermediate drama event. Students may
sign up for event on a volunteer basis. Theatre Exploration Day is designed
both to introduce students to the extensive world of theatre opportunities and
as an opening encounter with CIM standards and a CRLE opportunity. This is a
cooperative effort among the Mt. Hood Conference Schools.
One Act Festival - This District wide Theatre Arts event is an opportunity for students to participate in student directed One Act Play Festival. Gresham High School students will present the winning one act play from the One Acts to students from other Mt. Hood Schools in a friendly atmosphere. Directors and student actors will have a personal critique by a Theatre professional after their performance.
State Festival - Statewide Theatre Arts Festival is an opportunity for students to participate in workshops with Theatre professionals and to see performances of scenes; one acts and plays put on by schools throughout the State. The purpose of the festival is to give students opportunities to interact with thespians around the state. Top 10% in each category at Regional and 1st place in novice may compete. Winning One Act from Gresham One Acts may compete.
