Drama and Stagecraft

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

• 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.

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!

- Shakespeare in the Square

Twelfth Night September 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29 @5:30 outdoors

Drama Club Pancake Breakfast - September 21 @9am-11am

Haunted House - October 25 and 26

The Diary of Anne Frank - November 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23

- Fall Theatre 1&2 Showcase -

December 16

- Lenaea High School Theatre Festival: February 7-9

(Folsom, CA)

- Spring Production: Mar. 27, 28, April 2, 3, 4, and 5 main stage

- Spring Theatre1&2 Showcase: April 24

- Drama Club Party: May 18

Our student Drama Club is the perfect place to support the program, be creative, and enjoy a sense of family. We welcome you to participate and see what we are about! Drama Club meets every other Wednesday at lunch in the Drama room J-4 in the Performing Arts Building. Check the Callboard in the Drama hallway and listen to morning announcements for updates.

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.