Theatre Arts 1 is a foundational course designed for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge of drama. Students will study the basic elements of acting, design, and directing through research, rehearsal, and performance of monologues, scenes, improvisation, and ensemble projects. While emphasis will be contemporary theatre, the history of the theatre is included in this curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to study playwriting, dramatic critique, and technical aspects of Classical through current theatre practices. Attendance at Talon Theatre Fall and Spring Productions is mandatory. Participation in the annual SMCHS Christmas Production is encouraged.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
(f) UC Approved

Semester one is an intermediate level of acting. Semester two is advance level of acting. This class is highly recommended for students who plan to go on to IB Theatre or who are interested in improving their acting skills. In the first semester, students develop their acting and character development techniques through scene, monologue and ensemble work. In the second semester, students explore Shakespearean acting and other classical styles and work together on either an original or published one act play. There are two field trips to professional productions. Attendance at Talon Theatre Fall and Spring Productions is Mandatory. Participation in Christmas Production is encouraged.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
(f) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Theatre Arts 1, Musical Theatre or Teacher Recommendation.

Students interested in fulfilling the group six requirement of the IB program can opt to do so through this theatre subject. IB Theatre HL 1 is the first year of a two year course beginning in the student’s junior year. In HL1 students do the preparatory work for the IB Assessments which they complete in their senior year. Students focus on theatre processes and develop skills, knowledge, and understanding through practical application in directing, Creating, Collaborating, Designing , and Performing. Students will explore various acting techniques, world theatre traditions, and playtexts throughout the course. Course work includes in depth exploration of various theatre practitioners and their processes, world theatre traditions, the directorial process, the role of the designer in theatre, and collaboration on an original theatre piece. Participation in Talon Theatre Productions is factored into the grade as rehearsal and performance credit. IB Theatre Students are eligible to apple for Design positions for the fall and Christmas productions.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 11
(f) UC Approved
Prerequisites: No pre-requisite but previous theater background recommended

7221F THEATRE IB HL 2

This course is a continuation of IB Theatre HL 1 and builds on the work done in throughout the previous year. Students are required to complete four IB Assessments by the end of the school year: The Director’s Notebook for which a student selects an unfamiliar play and develops a directorial concept for a production; A World Theatre Research Presentation for which the student explores an unfamiliar theatre tradition and performs a solo presentation demonstrating the tradition; The Collaborative Project in which students take on a role within the production process such as playwright, designer, director, or actor and creates an original piece of theatre and a solo theatre piece using the techniques of a theatre practitioner. Participation in Talon Theatre Productions is factored into the grade as rehearsal and performance credit. IB Theatre Students are eligible to apply for Design positions for the fall and Christmas productions.

Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 12
(f) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre HL 1 IB.

Students interested in fulfilling the group six requirement of the IB program can opt to do so through this Theatre subject. Theatre IB SL is an honors level course designed for students to complete in on year. Students focus on theatre processes and develop skills, knowledge, and understanding through practical application in Directing, Creating, Collaborating, Designing, and Performing. Students will explore various acting techniques, world theatre traditions, and playtexts throughout the course. There are three IB assessment projects that must be completed by the end of the school year: The Director’s Notebook for which a student selects an unfamiliar play and develops a directorial concept for a production; A World Theatre Research Presentation for which the student explores an unfamiliar theatre tradition and performs a solo presentation demonstrating the tradition; The Collaborative Project in which students take on a role within the production process such as playwright, designer, director or actor and creates an original piece of theatre. Participation in Talon Theatre productions is factored into grade as rehearsal and performance credit. Theatre IB SL students are eligible to apply for Design positions for the Fall and Christmas productions.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 11, 12
(f) UC Approved

This course is an overview of how musical theatre has evolved as an art form from its earliest roots in European Operetta, Vaudeville, and the Jazz Age through the Golden Age of Musical Theatre to the present day. An understanding and appreciation of this theatrical genre will be fostered through the study of musicals such as Showboat, Oklahoma, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Wicked, and Next to Normal. Students will be introduced to a range of musical theatre styles, composers, lyricists, and choreographers. Students will learn how this uniquely American art form has reflected changes in society through the years. Throughout the course, students will perform scenes and songs and work together to create an original musical revue. No musical experience necessary.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
(f) UC Approved

7213A MUSICAL THEATRE 2

This course builds on the foundational skills developed in Musical Theatre 1. Emphasis will be given to performance of a variety of musical styles and genres from the history of the American Broadway Musical from Operetta, to the Golden Age, Rock Opera and Contemporary Song Cycles. Students will focus on acting through in depth character analysis, vocal type, physicalization, phrasing, staging and Choreography. Emphasis will also be given to developing vocal technique. Students will rehearse and perform in a showcase at the end of each semester. Students will collaborate on creating an original musical theatre performance piece.

Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
(f) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Musical Theatre 1 or Teacher Approval

This course provides students with hands-on instruction in various aspects of theatrical production including artistic design, technical theatre, set and prop construction, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, and theatre management. Students must work on the technical crew for each public performance of Talon Theatre and the Performing Arts Department including the fall show, spring musical, the Christmas Production, and showcases as a requirement of the course. Evening rehearsals, technical rehearsals and performance dates are mandatory. Students must fulfill a minimum of 20 technical crew hours per semester during a Drama Lab period on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 – 6:30. Students will take a field trip to one professional production a year and will be required to write an in depth analysis of the technical elements of the production.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
(f) UC Approved

Talon Theatre productions are cast through open auditions. In addition to the comprehensive training available to students, Talon Theatre produces two main stage productions annually. Students also perform in the annual Performing Arts Department Christmas Program, showcases, workshop productions, original ensemble pieces and student directed works throughout the year.

This is Talon Theatre's vibrant musical theatre touring troupe. Encore! performs thematic revues in the community and for campus events.

Since most college theatre programs require an audition or portfolio for admission, Talon Theatre offers private coaching and mentorship for students who intend to major in theatre in college.

The International Thespian Society is the only organization recognized by colleges and universities to honor high school students for outstanding work in theater on the secondary level. Talon Theatre maintains an active membership in the society with Honor Troupe #5524. Membership gives students incentives to participate in theater activities and can be an important factor in gaining admission to a quality theater program at the university level. There are two initiations each year and students are recognized with awards at the Talon Theatre Awards Banquet in the spring.

Membership

Inductees must earn 10 points, 5 of which must be earned through Talon Theatre. Refer to the thespian point award category sheet and fill out the sheet. Students must have participated in at least two Talon productions to be inducted.

Travel Opportunities

Members of the Thespian Honor Society have the opportunity to attend both the California State Thespian Festival as well as the International Thespian Festival where students perform in individual events, compete for scholarships, take workshops and meet other theater students from around the world.

Accolades

These recognitions are the cumulative effect of the combined effort of every thespian board and president since Troupe # 5524 was reactivated in the fall of 2010 by Talon Theatre Director Amy Luskey-Barth. Since that time, over 100 students have been inducted into Troupe #5524 with students attending the International Thespian Festival and the California State Festival annually.

• Recognized at the California State Festival as the 2016 California State Honor Troupe. Honor troupe designation is similar to being identified as a “Blue Ribbon” School for participation in local, state, and national levels and for excellence in theatre.
• In 2014, SMCHS was represented at the California Youth in Theatre Day in Sacramento where then Thespian President Joanna Pisano delivered her first place award-winning essay about the importance of educational theatre.
• Performed at the International Thespian Festival in the Chapter Select Showcase in 2013 with “The Miracle Worker.”
• Numerous students have competed in the National Individual Event Showcase in acting, musical theatre, technical theatre and design by achieving superior ratings at the state festival.
• In 2015, Tyler Cotner won first place in sound design at the International Thespian Festival.
• Many students have received sizeable scholarships from the Educational Theatre Association and state thespians and have gone on to study at some of the top theatre programs in the country.

2017/18 Leadership Board

President: Drew Schlingman
Vice President: Devon Hunt
Secretary: Katie Flores
Treasurer: Elyse Angel
Historian: Emma Smith
Comedy Sportz Liaison: Ella Lao
Communications Liaison: Griffin Webb
Tech Liaison: KC King
Philanthropy Liaison: Colin McDonald
Junior Trope Liaisons: Brian Reyes and Eric Renna

Interested in running for an office for the 2018-2019 school year? Print and turn in application by April 10th, 2018

QUESTIONS?
Contact Mrs. Amy Luskey-Barth at bartha@smhs.org

Talon Theatre is an active member of ComedySportz High School League. ComedySportz is competitive improvisation played in a fun environment as a team sport. It's a great way to build your acting skills and meet new people!

Talon Theatre participates in the Orange County Cappies and the MACY programs. The Cappies Critics and Awards Program trains high school theater students as critics. Students attend shows at other schools and write reviews with the potential of being published in The Orange County Register. The Spirit of the MACY Awards, founded in 1969, is dedicated to encouraging, recognizing and rewarding achievement and excellence in Southern California high school musical theater. Santa Margarita is the proud recipient of numerous MACY Awards including the 2014 award for Best Musical.

Talon Academy of the Arts is an extra-curricular, after-school program for students who seek specialized training in a worship environment with guest artists and industry professionals. Master classes are offered throughout the year in musical theater, improvisation, cabaret performing, dance, playwriting and more!