High school students looking for a head start on a career in theater may soon have a new option.
Catawba County Schools is hoping to start the Green Room Theatre Arts Senior Academy. Designed just for seniors, the program would allow a small group of students to take several special theater classes during their final year of high school. The school system aims to launch the program during the 2011-12 school year.
"We want to build a quality program," said Timothy Markley, superintendent of Catawba County Schools. "This will give the students a leg up when they apply to colleges."
The program will be in the new Green Room Community Theatre building, which will be at the old post office on Main Avenue in Newton. The building is currently being renovated to become The Old Post Office Playhouse. When completed, the facility will have classroom space.
Markley said the program would ideally be small, with 15 to 20 students in its first year, and growing to no more than 30. Students from all three school systems in Catawba County would be eligible to apply, although they must provide their own transportation.
"There will likely be some kind of committee to determine who selects the students, but we're still working on it," Markley said.
The school system will have a full-time theater teacher and administrator and a part-time English teacher and academic counselor at the school. During the first semester, students will likely take English four, technical theatre/design, acting I and either rehearsal and production or their fourth year of math through the N.C. virtual public school. Second semester, students will take playwriting, directing, acting II and rehearsal and production.
In addition to an overall scope of theater, film and theater history, literature, criticism and research will be included in all theater arts courses, Markley said, and all assignments will be relevant to 21st century skills. Technology will be heavily used.
Markley said he hopes to have a theater teacher for the program hired next year, and to finish planning the program next year, so it can begin in August 2011.
"I've spoken to the high school theater arts teachers, and they don't think it will siphon off their students to the point that it will dramatically impact their programs," Markley said.
Catawba County Schools Board of Education member Sherry Butler is also the executive director of the Green Room. She said the partnership is a great idea.
"We had 90 kids on Sunday and Monday night audition at the Green Room, so the need is there," Butler said. "The only thing similar to this in this part of the state is the N.C. School of the Arts."
Markley said the school system plans to seek grant funding to help support the program.
Interested in applying?
Students must meet certain qualifications.
-They must have a grade point average of at least a 2.0.
-Have a positive discipline record.
-Be recommended by their principal, theater teacher or community theater professional.
-Complete an audition, in which they will be interviewed, recite a monologue and have a portfolio reviewed.
-There will also be a required essay.
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