Dark of the Moon by Howard Richardson

The Theatre Arts Division offers a broad range of courses and production opportunities designed to give focused and specific training to the prospective theatre professional. Course work also encourages knowledge and satisfaction in quality theatre experiences for those not seeking a career in theatre. The program stresses performance and technical theatre training, and provides opportunities for the prospective student director, playwright, and scholar as well.

The Theatre Arts Division offers programs of study for theatre majors with two emphases: Performance Studies and Technical Studies.

Theatre Performance Studies

The Performance training is Stanislavsky-based and incorporates techniques designed to help the students explore the full potential of their own unique resources. The program is structured for students who are serious about their craft and who desire concentrated, disciplined training as a basis for further pre-professional work in either conservatory or college programs.

The classes offer an exposure to various performance techniques in theory and practice, and are supplemented when possible with work in other related disciplines, including dance, music, voice, and writing. Regular classes are also enhanced by a variety of special training opportunities which include classes and lectures by guest artists, theatre field trips, theatre companies in on-campus residencies, and inter-disciplinary activities with other arts areas. Performance opportunities are available for theatre majors which serve to augment the classroom work and give the student a chance to practically apply techniques learned in the classroom.

Technical Studies

Macbett by Eugene Ionesco

In the Technical Theatre program, the educational approach eventually enables the student to perceive, visualize, and realize practical theatrical designs. Contact with and control of the individual, creative, and expressive instinct is the intent of the study.

The many and varied performing arts programs at Interlochen provide the student in Technical Theatre the opportunity for hands-on experience in the art and techniques of production. In addition to their focused work in Theatre Arts productions, Technical Theatre students may occasionally work with Dance and Music divisions as well, thus enhancing and broadening their design and production experiences.

Imaginative problem solving, management of time and energy, proficiency of skills - in short, the practical disciplines and tools necessary for the effective realization of a creative vision will be studied and practiced. As the student progresses, he/she may choose to concentrate more fully on specific areas and become directly involved in creative production responsibilities. Upper level students may serve as both assistants to the resident and guest Technical Theatre staff and/or as designers/technicians themselves with faculty supervision.

Students in Theatre Arts at Interlochen are encouraged to take classes in both Performance and Technical Theatre areas to enhance their total understanding and experience of the dramatic art, and to study musical theatre as their interest dictates.

Romeo and Juliet
by
William Shakespeare