Drama, Stagecraft, Film

WHAT COULD GO WRONG THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS?

A virtual children's show!

Written by Kim Kao Hines

Directed by Denise Elia-Yen

DECEMBER 21 - 25 on demand recorded broadcast!

(Link will remain available until 10am on December 26.)

The MCHS Theatre Department presents this virtual children's show under the direction of our Drama, Stagecraft, and Film teacher Denise Elia-Yen. The play features a well-meaning host reading the classic, Victorian poem, only to be interrupted by children in the wrong costumes, mice playing Go Fish instead of stirring, and clatter on the rooftop that sounds more like a drum solo. This fun and charming tale will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

MCHS Drama, Stagecraft, and Film students are provided with a safe haven to develop performing, technical, and cinematic skills among the standards of a professional environment. Students grow together as they gain confidence in their work and collaborations alongside solid show business skills. It is the goal of the MCHS Drama, Stagecraft and Film program to cultivate budding performers, designers, technicians, writers, directors and other industry personnel who are ready to continue their education in college, and who are prepared for job opportunities in theater, television, and film.

Please view each course syllabus located on the right hand side of this page for a more detailed look at our content. ----->

• Drama 1:  An introduction to the world of theatre, students learn a variety of basic performing skills culminating in two showcases per year.

- Explore theatre history, terms, and jobs.

- Warmup with improv games and meditation.

- Learn standard comedic character types.

- Choose, analyze, and perform beginner monologues and scenes.

- Create your own stand-up comedy routine.

- Learn how to audition, and create your resume and headshot photo.

• Drama 2: Continue in learning challenging performing techniques culminating in two showcases per year. (Drama 1 prerequisite or by audition/teacher approval.)

- Delve further into character development through complex monologues, scenes, and plays.

- Direct a student scene.

- Discover tips for callbacks and cold readings.

- Learn and apply Shakespeare's language.

- Connect with colleges, agencies, and casting directors.

• Stagecraft: Become proficient in technical theater skills and design basics.

- Design and implement skills in marketing, costumes, sets, lights, and sound for MCHS productions.

- Be a part of at least one run crew for one of the two main drama productions.

- Opportunities to run crew for choir, band, or dance concerts, as well as rental shows.

- Collaborate with classmates and professionals in the industry.

• Film Studies: This is a college-prep elective that the UC system recognizes as fulfilling their Fine Arts entrance requirement.

- We will watch a wide range of films representing different genres, styles, and ground-breaking expressions.

- Students will understand artistic perception, creative expression, context and relevance, and explore aesthetic analysis and criticism.

- Students create their own short films from pre through post production among a wide range of film-making projects.

FESTIVALS and TRIPS

- Drama and Stagecraft students may be selected to participate in the Lenaea Festival in Folsom and meet other drama students from around the state! Observing the festival is open to all!

- Visits to local theater companies and film festivals, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, New York, and more are on the horizon for anyone interested in joining us! Check the Callboard in the Drama hallway in the Performing Arts Building and morning announcements for updates!

- There are four main drama productions produced each year for which students are required to audition:

1. an outdoor Shakespeare production as part of our new Shakespeare in the Square series in September;

2. a student-written haunted house walk-through story in October;

3. a fall straight play in November; and,

4. a spring production that is usually a musical in March/April. 

Intensive after-school and weekend commitments are required for rehearsals and performances for these productions, and advance notice is always given to arrange your schedule. For audition announcements and updates for these four productions, attend Drama Club meetings, check the Callboard in the Drama hallway, and listen to morning announcements. You can also visit or e-mail Mrs. Elia-Yen with any questions!

- Additionally, theatre class students participate in fall and spring showcases highlighting their in-class work. This can include monologues, scenes, or even a one-act show and original stand-up comedy pieces!

- Technical theater students design and support all of these fantastic productions!

DECEMBER

December 21 - 25: Winter Drama Production

FEBRUARY

February 5, 6, 7, 2021 - Lenaea High School Theatre Festival held virtually this year!

APRIL and MAY

Thursday, April 22 – Saturday, May 1 - Spring Drama Production

Tuesday, May 25 – Drama 1 and Drama 2 Spring Showcases

Denise Elia-Yen has performed on both coasts and represented the United States in international theater festivals. She received consecutive Best Principal Actress in a Musical awards from the San Francisco Bay Area Critic’s Circle. She made her directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed Spreckels/Riot Theater production of STALAG 17, and directed THE SUGAR BEAN SISTERS which won the SFBATCC Award for Best Set Design, and Marquee Award for Best Lighting Design.

Elia-Yen built drama programs at local schools and drama camps. She is delighted to be at MCHS. You will find her in film, television, commercials, print, and voice-overs. She holds a B.F.A. in Theater Performance and B.A. in Italian from the Center for the Arts, S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo, New York.