Hillsdale Drama offers a sequential theater training program taught by Margaret Marshall, a theater educator. In addition, guest teachers from Bay Area Theater Sports, TheatreWorks and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival are invited in to coach students in playwriting, improv and various acting techniques. 

Acting training is Meisner, Spolin and Stanislavsky-based and incorporates techniques designed to help students explore the full potential of their own unique resources. Students interested in design and production have opportunities to join our stage crew team and receive pre-professional training in all aspects of technical theatre. When students leave Hillsdale Drama, they have a broad range of experiences and are prepared for success in any university, conservatory or professional theatre.

Learn more about drama courses below and our additional drama website

DRAMA

Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.

Students work in pairs and small groups to learn skills in team building, communication, public speaking, improv, comedy, character development, and audition technique. Drama also covers important theatre history, including Greek Theatre, Italian Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare, and Chicano Theatre.

DRAMA ADVANCED

Grade: 10-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA
Prerequisite: Audition Only

In this intensive course, actors develop a deeper understanding of drama from different cultural and historical perspectives through playwriting, scene study, monologues, directing, emotional development, and performance technique. This class changes every year, may be repeated for credit.