Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Milwaukee Public Schools

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2300 West Highland Ave.
038@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
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Theatre

“Newsies” with the Skylight in our Black Box Theater

 

Our program is aligned with National Core Arts Standards for Theater where students are engaged in rigorous academic study learning advanced skills based on a college level curriculum. Many students continue to study theatre in secondary education. The fundamental education received at MHSA prepares our graduates, many of whom have gone on after graduation to major in theatere, television and film studios across the country.

Multiple productions in our three performance spaces allow students to apply their classroom learning in a real world environment. The Theatre Program at MHSA works directly with many local organizations such as the Skylight Opera Theater and The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, in addition to masterclasses with professionals.

 

COURSE OFFERINGS

Level 1 – Intro to Theatre/Pre-AP Theatre (Freshmen)  Students are introduced to storytelling, Ancient Greek Theatre history, the foundations of improvisation and comedy techniques.  The Skylight Music Theatre also offers their Teen Writes program for our Freshmen, in which students create and perform a short performance piece.  This year focuses on building a foundation of community, empathy and resilience within the Theatre Department, and culminates in a public comedy show performance.

Level 2 – Theatre Arts Workshop (Sophomores)  Students Engage in scene work and script analysis from Renaissance and Modern Realism texts. Basic technical design and function are Introduced.   Students will participate in the Skylight Music Theatre’s Musical Residency in the fall.  There is a heavy focus on collaboration and professionalism.

Level 3 – Advanced Acting & Acting for the Camera (Juniors)  This course will provide students with a solid foundation for professional study as an actor in theatre as well as in film/TV/Radio. The class focuses on an academic and studio approach to the most significant Playwrights and Theoreticians of the Twentieth Century.  In keeping with the contemporary world there is a study of electronic media as well.

Level 3 – Stage Crew & Design (Juniors)  Students begin or continue script analysis & design work with Symbolist, Expressionist & Existentialist texts. Students are responsible for the preparation and execution of the technical needs of the performance/film schedule of MHSA.

Level 4 – Directing (Seniors)  The primary purpose of this course is to establish the fundamentals of Directing, both in film and theatre, including choosing shows, rehearsal scheduling, best directing practices, etc.  There will be collaboration with the Level 4 Design students for Senior Showcase and Film Study.  Senior Showcase is the final, completely student-led (design, directing and performing) performance for Theatre Majors.

Level 4 – Technical Theater and Advanced Design  (Seniors)  Students begin or continue script analysis & design work for Post-Modern and African American texts. Students are responsible for the preparation and execution of the technical needs of the performance/film schedule of MHSA.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Level 1 – Teen Writes Residency with the Skylight Music Theatre, Comedy Showcase
Level 2 – Musical Theatre Residency with the Skylight Music Theatre, Shakespeare
Level 3 – Musical Theatre Residency with the Skylight Music Theatre, Junior Showcase, Acting for the Camera
Level 4 – Musical Theatre Residency with the Skylight Music Theatre, Directing Scenes
*** ALL Theatre Department students can audition for the Fall Show, the Spring Musical and Senior Projects.  MHSA’s Theatre students are also offered a variety of community theatre audition opportunities throughout the year and over the summer.

CURRENT AND PAST PARTNERSHIPS

Skylight Music Theatre (Teen Writes, Kids Writes and the Musical Theatre Residency, Special Invitiations/Discount Tickets to performances)
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater (reading Residency, Special Invitiations/Discount Tickets to performances)
Next Act Theatre (workshops, touring performances, Special Invitiations/Discount Tickets to performances)
Renaissance Theaterworks (The Fran Bauer Young Critics Project)
Milwaukee Film (Reel Talks, annual Film Festival)
Marcus Center (ArtsConnect, Special Invitiations/Discount Tickets to performances)
UWM’s Peck School of the Arts (workshops, Special Invitiations/Discount Tickets to performances)

BIOS

Mrs. Tricia LaCroix – A graduate of MHSA’s Theatre Department in 2006 herself, Mrs. LaCroix is happy to be back in her new favorite role as “teacher”.  She attended UW-Stevens Point and received her BFA in Acting.  After a hiatus from the world of Theatre, Mrs. LaCroix came back to MHSA to work as a secretary and the Parent Coordinator.  During that time, she also went back to school to receive her Theatre Education degree from UW-Milwaukee.   Mrs. LaCroix has performed in over 20 productions  and she is grateful to be able to share her passion for Theatre with her students.

Mr. Augustus Rich – Not only is he MHSA’s Technical Director, Mr. Rich teaches 3 Theatre courses as well.  He is a director, lighting designer and performer.  Mr. Rich graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Theater and has been an acting teacher and Technical Director at Milwaukee High School of the Arts since 2007. He has presided over the technical needs of over two hundred performances during his tenure at MHSA as well as directing and writing plays for the MHSA Black Box and Wildrick theaters.

Link to the Theatre Dept. Google Site

https://sites.google.com/milwaukee.k12.wi.us/mhsatheatredepartment/home

NEW!
School Reopening Website

MHSA Updates

Project Discovery: The life, legacy of Ardie Clark Halyard

Summer School

MHSA Parent Resources

MHSA Announcements

MPS Weather Alert: 1/26/2021

Upcoming Events

Mar
5
Fri
all-day End of Quarter 3
End of Quarter 3
Mar 5 all-day
 
Mar
6
Sat
all-day WSMA Solo Ensemble
WSMA Solo Ensemble
Mar 6 all-day
 
Mar
9
Tue
all-day ACT
ACT
Mar 9 all-day
11th graders only
Mar
16
Tue
4:00 pm Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Mar 16 @ 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
 
Mar
17
Wed
4:00 pm Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Mar 17 @ 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
 
Mar
19
Fri
all-day Parent-Teacher Conference Day- N...
Parent-Teacher Conference Day- N...
Mar 19 all-day
 
Mar
23
Tue
all-day Forward Testing
Forward Testing
Mar 23 – Mar 24 all-day
10th graders
Mar
26
Fri
6:00 pm Gallery Opening- AP Submission
Gallery Opening- AP Submission
Mar 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
7:00 pm Musical
Musical
Mar 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
 
Mar
27
Sat
6:00 pm Gallery Opening- AP Submission
Gallery Opening- AP Submission
Mar 27 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 

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Contact MHSA
(414) 934-7000
2300 West Highland Ave.
038@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
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5225 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
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