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Progression of Learning

Why Theatre?

Participation in theatre helps students become more creative, confident, and empathetic people. Theatre training encourages curiosity and exploration through multi-sensory learning while building self-confidence and collaboration skills.  

Theatre artists have the courage to make the world a better place, think outside the box, are team players, and know how to dream.

SCCT Progression of Learning

Our classes can most simply be broken down into three levels:


Exploration

Process

Production

Exploration and Process: Students enter a class appropriate to their grade level and interest.  For most students, one hour of class per week is perfect.  They begin to understand performance, ensemble, and analysis related to theatre arts.  As they learn and hone skills, they will be given more to do on their own.  Beginners’ classes are focused on exploring theatre through play and designed to fit the grade level. 

Process and Production: As classes progress, students will be given more responsibilities–memorizing a part and rehearsing by themselves.  Older/more experienced students are role models for younger students, so all our classes have a range of ages promoting collaboration.  We also have a mentorship program where older students are given the opportunity to be paired with younger students in Production classes or these older students can even become a teaching assistant, encouraging leadership and working closely with our experienced Teaching Artists. 

Production classes are designed to culminate in a public performance and are appropriate for advanced students.

Our Fall and Spring semesters run for 12 weeks (14 weeks for PRODUCTION level classes). Only two classes require an audition, K5-5th ONStage  & Adliberation: SCCT’s teen Improv Troupe. Production-level classes require a recommendation from one of our Teaching Artists. 

Performance skills take time to develop.

Sometimes theatre “games” are used in more than one class, but the student will gain skills that make the games different every time they are played.  The Teaching Artist is the best judge of developmental stages. If a student is not being challenged, the Teaching Artist will be the first to suggest a class shift or recommend an invitation for a higher-level class.  It can be difficult for a student to understand what they don’t know. You can email your teaching artists with questions about your student’s strengths, weaknesses, and class recommendations. 

EXPECTATIONS OF ADVANCED STUDENTS

All PRODUCTION-level students need to have foundational knowledge so that class time can be spent honing previously acquired skills. We will not have time to teach the terminology that they should already know at this level. We only accept students into these classes who have attended at least one full year of Process/Exploration classes at SCCT although, more than one year is preferred.   

To be recommended for Production classes, students should be able to:  

  • name the parts of the stage
  • use abbreviations for stage directions and blocking notation 
  • be able to define basic theatrical terms 
  • understand CROoWw 
  • Be familiar with Lessac energies and Laban qualities 
  • want to be given more responsibilities/homework  
  • be willing to repeat material weekly for rehearsal and complete reading assignments in a week 

In addition, Production Classes require… 

  • CONSISTENT class attendance – tardiness/absenteeism will not be tolerated except in the event of contagious sickness, or another specific emergency and you must contact the teacher ASAP 
  • Outside of class memorization and homework assignments 
  • Focus, concentration in class and appropriate class behavior 
  • Teamwork, collaboration, and support of other students
  • Commitment to planned performances 
  • Students are expected to bring a notebook and pencil to every class  

OUR HISTORY

History of Education at SCCT 

In the past year, over 2000 students participated in our on-site classes and camps (and another 4,600 participated in our off-site residencies). 

Education programming was established in 1992 and is a year-round program for students ages 3-18 (and some classes for adults too). The curriculum is sequential and provides for developing knowledge and skills to increase competence levels. Areas of study include creative drama, acting, improvisation, scene and monologue study, audition techniques, rehearsal methods, character analysis, script analysis, theatre history, stage management, directing, musical theatre, and technical theatre (stage management, backstage crew, scenery, painting, costumes, props). Progress is best seen through consistent and continuing work. 

Just as a dancer takes class after class, or an athlete trains year after year with a team, theatre arts training is most effective when the student is repeatedly exposed to vocabulary, theories, and exercises and given the opportunity to develop confidence as an artist. At SCCT, we hope to provide various creative, inclusive opportunities that encourage creative thinking, expression, and collaboration, develop verbal and social skills, and bolster confidence and self-esteem. Skills needed for any job, not just acting. 

SCCT strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our programming. We strive to remove barriers and help build a community where everyone knows they belong. 

SCCT has need-based Financial Aid available for all our classes, camps, and workshops for under-resourced, disadvantaged, or special needs youth (we base our scale on the free-and-reduced-lunch requirements established by the school system). They are financially supported by generous donations from community members, businesses, and corporations.