StageStreaks & HHS Theater Department FAQs:

1. What options are available in theatre at HHS?

HHS students may be involved in any combination of theatre classes, Drama Club, multiple after-school productions, and the Drama Boosters. Theatre is one of the strands also available in our Fine Arts Academy. New students are highly encouraged to take drama classes so a proper foundation can be laid for future growth, and so the drama teacher can learn to know about their interests and talents. Students who are interested in technical or backstage roles rather than acting are most sincerely encouraged to participate and are also encouraged to take the Events Production class. Like band or chorus, Theatre classes may be repeated. The number and type of Theatre classes available is directly dependent upon student/parent demand. Please make your wishes for theatre classes known to guidance, the administration, and the school board. Collectively we are called the StageStreaks.

2. Who can be involved in after-school productions?

All auditions for after-school productions are open to all HHS students. Pay attention to the school calendar, daily announcements, Mr. Gibson’s and the StageStreak websites for audition dates. Students who wish to work backstage must speak directly to the drama teacher early in the process to inform him of this desire and will be instructed how to proceed.

3. What after-school productions are performed each year?

In chronological order:

• Each September, auditions (which require a one-minute memorized and well-prepared monologue) are held for the one-act competition play. Cast and crew must meet VHSL eligibility requirements, and must become members of the Drama Club. This production often has a smaller and more elite cast. It requires travel to both VHSL competitions (districts or conference/regionals/states) and a weekend trip to Virginia Theater Association (VTA) Conference and competition. Rehearsals are held most afternoons and the show is performed in October and March.

Despite the stiff competition and smaller cast, ninth graders and new students are strongly encouraged to audition for multiple reasons: 1) scripts chosen for performance frequently include specific roles for younger actors and most years several ninth graders are chosen; 2) the director has an open casting philosophy (see more below); 3) young actors need as much audition practice as possible; 4) the auditions are one good way for the director to begin to get to know you.

• In November, auditions are held for TWO of our productions:

    • First, the early winter play which is written and directed by Bradley Walton. This show may be comedic or serious. Mr. Walton has over 30 published plays! This production is usually performed in December.

    • Second in November are auditions for the late winter musical. These auditions require both a one-minute monologue and singing an excerpt from one of the show’s songs. Acting, music and dance workshops are held in the weeks leading up to auditions. We realize that some students are total new to singing/dancing/acting and urge them not to let that prevent them from auditioning. We will walk you through the learning process. Also character roles are often available for non-singers, and dancers are also usually needed. Cast sizes usually range from about 40 to about 70.

• In spring mass auditions are also held for ten-minute plays directed by seniors as part of Spring Arts. Schedules are arranged so students may participate in both the spring play and Spring Arts.

•Additionally, other HHS productions may be mounted through the advanced Drama classes, or as a student-directed one-act for Playfest, a regional festival. Students are also notified of community production possibilities.

• Improvement in theater comes (like everywhere else) from lots of dedication and practice. We highly urge those who are seriously interested in pursuing theater as a possible profession to get as much practice and training as possible. Take theater and other performing arts classes here at school and in private lessons or summer camps.

4. What is the director’s philosophy on casting? What should I do if I am not cast?

The director believes strongly in simply casting main roles with the student who is best for the role and best for the overall production. That simple concept leaves many options open. One year a ninth grade boy was not cast at all when he auditioned for the one-act, yet later that same year the same ninth grade boy had a lead role in the musical. It all depends on what is needed for a particular role and what approach the director will be taking. HHS has established a stellar reputation for casting and production excellence. The director knows what he is doing. Trust him.

If you are not cast in the role you wanted, then make the most of the role you have, and stay positive so the director has good references of you when he casts again or when he gives your recommendation to others. If you are not cast at all for a production, then volunteer to help in other capacities. Get yourself known as a good person to have around – a team player who will do what is needed to make the production a success. Keep auditioning. Actors must get used to not always getting what they want. Consider asking the director for pointers for next time, but wait to ask until you both are not under stress and time pressure.

Remember that an individual’s private dreams of stardom are not a major consideration for casting. However, hard work and dependability, raw talent, teachable-ness, and common courtesy -which fosters positive team spirit- are highly considered. Obviously, students with a proven track record of these qualities can expect to continue to achieve the privilege of participation.

Just like a sports team, if a student is cast but later fails to fulfill his/her obligations, or is causing repeated problems, then at the director’s discretion that student may at any time be removed from the role or removed from the show entirely.

5. If I take a drama class, what can I expect and how will I be graded?

Theatre is NOT trying to get others to laugh by being stupid. Theatre is NOT just what you see in some highly edited TV program with several highly experienced and specialized comedians. Theatre is a unique art that combines all of life and culture. It includes everything from hammering nails and washing costumes to designing advertising and typing programs to analyzing character relationships and motivational psychology to things like researching historical social customs. Theatre is creative problem solving to the max – and it can be fun, exciting, and a huge amount of hard work if you decide to get serious about it. Theatre will work your mind and your body and your soul. Excellence requires vast amounts of discipline and concentration and teamwork.

Theatre class is unlike any other class. Approximately fifty percent of the drama class grade will come from paperwork, tests and quizzes, completing projects, meeting memorization and other deadlines, etc. The remaining approximately half of the grade is determined by daily participation grades. In theatre class, the process is often more important than the product, so the emphasis is on the student staying with each step of the process. Is the student making the effort to follow directions and learn? Is the student staying focused? If the student is absent, not listening to instructions, or distracting others from their work, then participation grades will drop accordingly. The teacher has high expectations of the students because it is only when the team is focused and working together that the magic can happen. Theatre is totally collaborative and what happens is completely dependent on the attitudes, actions, and interrelationships of all those involved. Absences or irresponsibility will badly affect the rest of the group.

Theatre classes cover a huge variety of topics and exercises in an effort to establish a framework or skeleton for future knowledge and theatrical experiences. The Theatre 1 class will skim over theatre history and styles, reading and studying representative plays, learning fundamental auditioning and acting skills, getting some hands-on practice with monologues, acting scenes, technical skills and theory. It is common for students to comment in end-of-semester evaluations that they can’t believe how much they covered and learned. Advanced drama classes go into more depth and frequently produce shows, which are toured to area elementary schools or other appropriate venues. The Events Production class is a totally non-acting class, which involves a lot of physical work in technical theatre and behind the scenes work.

Honors credit is available for most Theatre classes if arranged beforehand and the required extra projects and assignments are completed satisfactorily.

6. Why get involved with Drama?

Whole books have been written on this question, but here are a few reasons: It will make you smarter and more attractive. It will give you a positive outlet for your energy and creativity. It will increase your mental and physical capacities. Your school and your community will be a better place. It will make you a better person. Theatre teaches the value of creative problem solving. It teaches the value of hard work and striving for excellence. You will meet new people. It improves your interpersonal relationship and communication skills. It improves your self-control. It helps you make mental connections and better understand the multitude of overlapping aspects of life as we know it. It helps you accept yourself and others. It teaches the value of collaboration and teamwork. It gives you strong friendships. It gives you a chance to work with your brain and your body as a unified whole rather than as segmented parts. Research proves again and again that those involved in the arts score better on standardized academic tests and on quality-of-life tests.

7. Teacher/Director’s Contact Information:

Mr. Gibson can usually be found in either the auditorium or the drama classroom (#217).

His email address is: kgibson@harrisonburg.k12.va.us

The HHS phone is 540-433-2651

8. Finally

The HHS StageStreaks are proud participants in the Virginia High School League and the American High School Theatre Festival, and are members of the Virginia Theatre Association.

2005 Four out of five stars for a production of GODSPELL at the Edinburg Fringe Festival in Scotland.

2007-8 VHSL State Champions for a production of WORKING

2012-13 VHSL State Champions for a production of ELEPHANT’S GRAVEYARD

2016-17 Virginia Theatre Association First Place in the Commonwealth for the original production of THAT WAS THEN

2016-17 Southeast Theater Conference Runner-Up for the original production of THAT WAS THEN

2016-17 VHSL First Place in Virginia for the original production of THAT WAS THEN

2016-17 SETC - Mr. Swartz - Secondary Director of the Year for the original production of THAT WAS THEN

Many StageStreak alumni continue on to excel in theatre careers.