- Alabama School of Fine Arts
- ASFA Theatre Arts
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Theatre arts students at ASFA explore the world of theatre to develop their individual talents and to contribute to the collaborative process of theatre. Students participate in all phases of the department’s work. A good actor appreciates the labor involved in creating scenery, props and costumes, and a good technician appreciates the difficulty of creating a character on stage. Theatre arts course study includes acting, movement, theater history, musical theatre, acting for film, directing, stagecraft, design, and production courses.
Theatre faculty include technical and artistic teaching artists from the nation’s top conservatories and industry professionals who are members of the Screen Actors Guild, Actors’ Equity Association. Theater faculty includes John Manzelli (Department Chair), MFA, an award-winning actor of stage and screen and critically acclaimed director; Peggy Hammond, MFA, an experienced costume designer/educator; Laura Prim, MFA, who has designed sets and lights for theatres across the United State and internationally; and Susan McCain, MFA, a SAG actor who was mentored by Lee Strasburg. ASFA Theatre Arts graduates continue to careers in film, television, tech theatre, and attend illustrious conservatories and colleges.
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ASFA Theatre Curriculum
2020-2021 AFSA THEATRE ARTS PROGRAM
The Theatre Arts Department at ASFA offers unique curricular paths for exceptional students at the middle and high school levels. ASFA Theatre Arts students have the opportunity to take classes in a wide range of theatrical styles and disciplines. Students receive a plan of study carefully devised to create highly trained, dynamic, and imaginative young people prepared for success at the next level.
Middle School
Students in the 7th & 8th grades receive an exciting program of self-exploration and rigorous technique in Acting & Musical Theatre. The middle school program is designed to lay the foundation for rigorous and comprehensive training for successful entrance into the 9th grade. This program takes students through an extended specialty period each day of foundational courses in Movement, Singing, Acting, and Self-expression. These courses are taught by ASFA’s award-winning faculty and top professional teaching artists. Middle School students will have the opportunity to perform an end-of-year showcase in one of our mainstage theatres. Students who complete the 8th grade successfully are not required to re-audition for entrance into high school.
Middle School Curriculum
Theatrical Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting Self-Expression, Intro Acting for Stage/ Screen
High School
Students entering the 9th grade are immersed in a comprehensive training program in Theatre Arts taught by a team of exceptional educators and theatre professionals. This program is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and allows students to find their area of passion and while challenging them to grow as artists, thinkers, and individuals. Every student who graduates from the Theatre Arts program will have had the chance to explore courses in Acting for the Stage, Musical Theatre, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Directing, Stage Management, and Acting for the Camera (plus many more). Additionally, ASFA brings industry guests of regional and national acclaim to campus to present workshops and guest lectures, exposing students to industry-leading role models.
At ASFA, the students make the art. ASFA maintains a rigorous performance schedule of three mainstage productions. Students have the opportunity to perform and/or work-behind-the-scenes in all mainstage shows, senior directed one-acts, and showcases. At ASFA our students do it all: they build the sets, make the costumes, hang the lights, and perform the roles.
High School Four Year Sample Course Matriculation
9th Grade: Theatrical Dance, Movement for Actors, Fundamental of Acting, Improvisation, Stage Craft, and Intro to Costume and Design.
10th Grade: Voice and Speech, Role Analysis, Musical Theatre Workshop (taught by industry professionals), Design Fundamentals, Costume Design, Stage Management.
11th Grade: Theatre History, Lighting Design, Costume Construction, Monologue Study, Musical Theatre Workshop II, Stage Combat, Acting for the Camera.
12th Grade: Directing, Acting Styles, Advanced Screen Acting, Scenic Design, Advanced Theatrical Design & Sound Design.
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Universities/Conservatories Accepted Into:
NYU-Tisch, CalArts, University of Southern California, North Carolina School for the Arts, Uta Hagen Institute, New York Film Academy, Royal Conservatory of Scotland, and the University of the Arts, Philadelphia.
Notable Theatre Alumni:
- Ajiona Alexus: Atlantic Records recording artist and actress, known for her roles in the Netflix hit series "13 Reasons Why," Tyler Perry’s “Acrimony,” and Will Packer's "Breaking In."
- Suzanne Collins: Author of "The Hunger Games"
- Ryan Jamaal Swain: Film & Television actor, "Pose," "Conframa," named a Forbes 30 under 30
- Chuck Yates: Award-winning artistic director and producer, theatre founder, screenwriter
- Aron Altmark: Lighting and production design Top 30 under 30 business owner and creative director of Visual Endeavors
- Erica Oyama: Emmy-nominated producer and screenwriter
- Colby Holman: Actor, "Fear the Walking Dead"
- Henry L. Washington, Jr.: Ph.D Candidate at Stanford University