Theatre

Course of Study

Portfolios

Senior Project

Senior Repetoire

Student Lessons and Private Lessons

Productions

Memberships

Awards

The department is comprised of approximately 100 students.  The cornerstones of the department are commitment, discipline, rigor and excellence.
We have a solid legacy that boasts a 98% success rate for students who gain acceptance and scholarships into collegiate theatre and film programs that include:  Emerson College, Ithaca University, New York University, Ohio Northern University, Tulane University and Wright State University. 

We are also the only high school in the Dayton area to earn an invitation by the American High School Theatre Festival to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.  We traveled to the festival in 2005 and our performance of Romeo You Idiot earned four out of five stars by the foreign press.  Recent alumni have earned roles in television and film and are being paid to perform in regional theatre.

Each student within the department is given the charge to continue adding blocks to this legacy.  Some students within the program desire to make acting, musical theatre or technical theatre their chosen career path while others desire to strengthen their communication and interpersonal skills.  Regardless of the initial draw, students are fully aware of the expectations and commitment necessary.  The Stivers Theatre Department is developing individuals who choose to pursue theatre as a profession as well as those who elect not to.  Nevertheless, upon graduation, each student leaves the department with a solid theatre foundation a strong sense of self and a varied acting repertoire.  We gladly welcome students who have the desire and drive to excel. 

Course of Study

There are five levels within the theatre department: Intermediate Theatre, Theatre I, Theatre II, Theatre III and Theatre IV.  Students are initially placed in courses based upon their acting ability.  Additional promotions are made through ability, portfolio, a letter of reflection and an interview reviewing the student’s progress. 

We desire to have each student reach beyond his/her perceived potential and excel beyond what they envisioned was possible.  Our training includes: The tools of the actor (body, voice, mind), improvisation, stage environment, production roles, audition techniques, scene study, theatre history, resume & portfolio development, repertoire development, studio lessons, private lessons, stage make-up, costume design and a variety of acting techniques (Stanislavski, Viewpoints, Strasberg, Meisner).

Portfolios

Each student is required to have and maintain a current portfolio which includes an updated headshot, theatrical resume, artist statement, monologue, song, and scene repertoire, production statements, and references.  

Senior Project

During the student’s senior year, each student must select and create a project that is a culmination of knowledge gained throughout their six year journey in the department.  The student is able to select the material and cast to help them fully realize their project.  The project is a six month work in progress that is adjudicated twice by professionals.  The best projects are selected to be presented at the Senior Theatre and Dance Showcase that takes place in March. 

Senior Repetoire

Each senior is afforded the opportunity to have weekly private lessons with a theatre adjunct to work on his/her repertoire and build and strengthen it.  Upon graduation, each senior must have eight diverse monologues in his/her repertoire and a portfolio reflective of his/her journey and accomplishments within the department. The senior will present a portion of these monologues at the Senior Repertoire Presentation at the end of the year. 

Studio Lessons & Private Lessons

Students in Theatre I, II and III participate in studio lessons throughout the quarter.  The lessons are geared toward developing individual repertoires.  Seniors have the opportunity to receive a weekly private lesson.  The lessons are geared toward strengthening the student’s acting abilities and their repertoire. 

It is mandatory for students in Theatre II, Theatre III and Theatre IV to audition for the main stage productions.   Theatre I students are allowed to audition by invitation only.  In order to be cast in a main stage production, each student must have and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.  Each student within the department is required to attend each theatre production and write a guided critique or reflection on the performance.

Upon graduation, each student should have performed in or worked on at least three mainstage productions and fulfilled a technical position for at least one production.

Productions

During the course of the school year there are a number of performance opportunities for students.  Our performance calendar includes the following:

-5th Street Project- a smorgasbord of monologues, scenes, and individual events’ pieces from the department.  The evening culminates with
  a one act play performed by Theatre IV.
-Fall production- this production is either a full-length drama or comedy
-Stivers Celebrates!- an all Stivers’ production that incorporates performances from each department within the school.
-Black History Month program- all magnets share a piece with the student body. 
-Middle School Showcase- one or two short plays from the 7th & 8th graders in the department. 
-Senior Theatre and Dance Showcase- the top senior projects in the department are selected to perform in this showcase
-Spring production- this production is either a full-length drama or comedy
-Senior Repertoire Presentation- each senior presents a portion of their eight monologue repertoire. 
-Tommy Awards- awards ceremony for nominated performances as well as awards of excellence in class work, service, production and the departmental excellence awards and scholarships.

MEMBERSHIP

International Thespian Society
We are Troupe #5800 and have been active in the organization since 2008.  We have taken two marathon productions to the state conference and have participated in the Individual Events.  

High School Daytony Awards
We are involved with the high school version of this community theatre event.  Our students attend and adjudicate a number of high school theatre performances within the Dayton vicinity.
 

2010-2011 Awards

Outstanding Overall Production- Curious Savage
Excellence in Ensemble- The Cast of Curious Savage

Excellence in Leading Role
Braelyn Hanenkratt as Mrs. Savage in Curious Savage
Jade Lee as Erin in And
Rachel Snyder as Eve in The Apple Tree
Sara Valiquette as Fairy Mae in Curious Savage
Trey Melvin as Titus Savage in Curious Savage

Excellence in Supporting Role
Trey Melvin, And

Merit in Leading Role
Alayna Spence as Fairy Mae in Curious Savage
Eric McCalister as Jeff in Curious Savage
Evan LaChance as Adam in The Apple Tree
Kyle Mercuri as Samuel Savage in Curious Savage
Margaret Foley as Lily Belle in Curious Savage

Merit in Supporting Role
Jessany Middleton as Florence in Curious Savage
Stephanie Patino-Garfias as Mrs. Paddy in Curious Savage

Excellence in Production
Scenic Artist- Leah Grommon, Curious Savage

Merit in Production
Costume Design- Lisa Benjamin, Curious Savage
Direction- Angela Tomaselli, And
Direction- Angela Tomaselli, Curious Savage
Prop Design- Leah Grommon, Curious Savage
Scenic Design- Leah Grommon & Karla Hemmelgarn, Curious Savage

Ohio Thespian Conference (Individual Events)
Solo Musical Theatre (Dance)- Sterling Faust, Superior and Excellent Rating
Monologue Acting- Margaret Foley, Superior and Excellent Rating
Solo Musical Theatre- Evan LaChance, Two Excellent Ratings
Duet Acting- Madeline Palmer & Alayna Spence, Two Excellent Ratings
Stage Management- Dana Graham, Excellent and Good Rating

2009-2010 Awards

Ohio High School Speech League*     
Dramatic Interpretation- Sheldon Brown, State Qualifier
Dramatic Interpretation-Kendall Hart, State Qualifier
Duo Interpretation- Marilyn Head & Erin Ulman, State Qualifier
Humorous Interpretation- Evan LaChance, State Qualifier
Humorous Interpretation- Gregory Carter, State Qualifier (alternate)
*final year of competing

Ohio Thespian Conference- (Individual Events)
Costume Design- Evan LaChance- Evan LaChance, One SuperiorRating, One Excellent Rating
Monologue Acting- Sheldon Brown, Two Superior Ratings, Critic’s Choice
Solo Musical Theatre (Dance)- Sterling Faust, Two Superior Ratings, Critic’s Choice
Solo Musical Theatre- Erin Ulman, One Superior Rating, One Excellent Rating

Daytony Awards
Performance in a Leading Role- Merit
Sheldon Brown- Reckless
Sheldon Brown- A Streetcar Named Desire
Ajanti George- Reckless
Marilyn Head- A Streetcar Named Desire
 
Performance in a Supporting Role - Merit
Kendall Hart- A Streetcar Named Desire
 
Direction Awards - Merit
Angela Tomaselli – A Streetcar Named Desire

2008- 2009 Awards

Ohio High School Speech League     
Dramatic Interpretation- Jenika Alexander, State Qualifier
Dramatic Interpretation- Taylor Brown, State Qualifier
Duo Interpretation- Gregory Carter & Zaquisha Watkins, State Qualifier
Duo Interpretation- Kendall Hart & Chanel Sims, State Qualifier
Oratorical Interpretation- Ajanti George, State Qualifier
Oratorical Interpretation- Michael Hower, State Semi Finalist
Ohio Thespian Conference- (Individual Events)*
Monologue Acting- Marilyn Head, Two Excellent Ratings
Duet Acting- Sheldon Brown & Taylor Brown, Two Excellent Ratings
Marathon Production- Speed Date
*first year participating

Daytony Awards *
Performance - Excellence
Sheldon Brown- Special Days
Noelle Jackson- Special Days
Aaron Smith- Special Days
Isaac Tobler- Little Shop of Horrors
*first year for the awards
 
Special Recognition - Excellence
Prop Design- Gwynne Rearick, Little Shop of Horrors

Direction Awards - Merit
Lois Ramey, Music – Little Shop of Horrors

Performance in a Leading Role- Merit
Kendall Hart- Little Shop of Horrors
Evan LaChance- Little Shop of Horrors
Che’Nai Rackley- Little Shop of Horrors
Erin Ulman- Little Shop of Horrors

2007- 2008 Awards

Ohio High School Speech League     
Dramatic Interpretation- Frederick Cox, State Quarter finalist
Duo Interpretation- Taylor Brown & Jared Greene, State Semi-finalist

2006- 2007 Awards
Ohio High School Speech League
Dramatic Interpretation- Dawn Turner, State Qualifier
Duo Interpretation- Mychole Willis & Stefany Wynn, State Qualifier

2005- 2006 Awards
Ohio High School Speech League     
Dramatic Interpretation- Mychole Willis, State Qualifier
Duo Interpretation- Sanoma Childs & Donieka Walker, State Quarter finalist
Duo Interpretation- Stephen Jones & Candace Watkins, State Qualifier

2004- 2005 Awards
Ohio High School Speech League     
Duo Interpretation- Kalia Jackson & Donieka Walker, State Quarter finalist

2003- 2004 Awards*
Ohio High School Speech League     
Duo Interpretation- Kalia Jackson & Michael Weaver, State Qualifier
*first year competing

For more information, please contact Angela Tomaselli at atomasel@dps.k12.oh.us.

For audition information for Grades 7-8, please go to the 7-8 Audition Information page HERE.

For audition information for Grades 9-12, please go to the 9-12 Audition Information page HERE.

For performance information, please see the calendar.