Program Description
Alexander Mackenzie's Dramatic Arts program offers comprehensive training in both performance and production. Students explore film and television acting, stage combat, scene study, devised theatre, script writing, improvisation, and classical styles like Commedia Dell'arte. The technical curriculum includes lighting design, sound engineering, costume construction, set design, and stage management. Senior courses allow specialization in areas like directing, playwriting, and acting for stage and film, with hands-on experience that mirrors professional theatre practices.
Take Dramatic Arts ALL YEAR Round! Two courses a year, one per semester, with a total of 8 Dramatic Arts Credits that provide you with a specialized high school diploma: “The Dramatic Arts Endorsement Certificate” upon graduation.
Program Highlights:
Specialty Guest Artists, Workshops, Field Trips, Connections to the Industry, Hands on Experience, Access to Professional Spaces, Scholarship Opportunities, Technical Opportunities, Live Performances, and so MUCH MORE!
Benefits of Drama Arts Education
Drama education equips students with essential transferable skills that are highly valued across all industries and career paths. Through performance and production work, students develop strong communication abilities, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills that employers actively seek. Whether pursuing the arts professionally or applying these skills elsewhere, drama students graduate with the confidence, adaptability, and interpersonal abilities needed to thrive in any workplace.
Career Path
- Professional Fields - Doctor, psychology, Law, politics, public service, journalism, (drama skills valued across all industries)
- Business & Marketing - Communications, public relations, event planning, advertising
- Education & Social Services - Teaching, training, counseling, community programming
- Performing Arts - Actor, director, choreographer, playwright, drama teacher
- Technical Theatre - Lighting/sound/set designer, stage manager, costume designer, technical director
- Media & Entertainment - Film production, broadcasting, content creation, animation, gaming
Dramatic Arts at Alexander Mackenzie Grade 9 Courses:
ADA10M and ADD1MM (Specialised Dramatic Arts Courses)
ADA101 (Open Dramatic Arts Course)
Units of Study Throughout the four years:
- Audition Techniques
- Monologues
- Scene Study
- Film
- Television
- Stage Combat
- Voiceover Work
- Devised Theatre
- Writing Scripts
- Children’s Theatre
- Mask
- Commedia Dell'arte
- Improvisation
- Theatre Production: Lighting, Sound, Costumes, Stage Managing, and more.
- AND MORE!
Dramatic Arts Opportunities:
Performance opportunities
- Arts Info Night x2
- Remembrance Day Performance
- Grad Showcase x2
- Spring Shows x4
- Drama Arts Council DAC Winter Performance x4
- Drama Arts Council DAC Spring Performance x4
- Regional Drama Festival x2
- National Festival X2
- And More!
Production Opportunities:
- Directing
- Costume Design
- Set Design
- Lighting Design
- Sound Design
- Stage Management
- Prop Creation
- Public Relations- Marketing
- Playwright
- Filming and Editing
- And More!
Drama Council:
- Extra- Curricular Leadership Opportunities
- Marketing, Treasurer, Secretary, and more positions
- Performance Opportunities
- Planning and Organizing School Events
- And More
