SANTA SUSANA HIGH SCHOOL
ACADEMY OF
MUSICAL THEATRE
Encompassing courses from theatre, vocal music, and dance.
SSHS Musical Theatre has been honored to have students participate and win awards from both the Jerry Herman awards and the National Youth Arts Awards. Alumni have also gone on to perform professionally after graduation, such as in television series, commercials and film, technical work, as well as Broadway productions. Students who have chosen to further their arts education have gone on to attend world-renowned arts programs at New York University, Syracuse, AMDA, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Pace University, and Pepperdine.
The Academy of Musical Theatre at Santa Susana
The Academy of Musical Theatre is the a pathway which features the Capstone class (Musical Theatre), of the Performing Arts pathway at Santa Susana High School. Combining acting, singing and dancing, this pathway provides opportunities for our top performing arts students to participate in two main stage productions each year. These Broadway style productions provide real world experiences with a live orchestra, full costume and make-up and performing professional choreography. Students receive individual and group vocal training as well as intensive professional acting intensives. Many opportunities for student leadership are offered to exceptional students, who may want to pursue this in their future.
MSUICAL THEATRE
Academy Course List
(Total 40 Credits)
Musical Theatre (20 Credits)
As the capstone class at SSHS, Musical Theatre Production is an advanced, audition-only course for the accomplished singer, actor, and dancer. This small ensemble will put on two full stage productions each year on the Performing Arts Center stage, complete with full sets and costumes, lighting, and sound design. Musical Theatre’s small class size provides students with an intimate look at how a musical’s cast functions, and allows students to advance their performance art by taking risks in a safe and caring environment. In addition to their play and character studies, students will research post-grad job opportunities, pursue the improvement of their vocal and dance technique, develop their resumes, and create an online portfolio for professional use.
Show Choir (10 Credits)
As part of the pathway to Santa Su’s musical theatre department, this audition-only, mixed ensemble involves a focus on both singing with intention as well as dancing with it. Performing spectacular musical medleys, such as Grease, Dear Evan Hansen, and Hamilton and more, students will develop movement skills alongside their vocal skills, work to become adept performance artists in any venue. Many students from this fast paced course have gone on to be a part of our Musical Theatre class. This course also offers a high number of student leadership opportunities for members who are interested in choreography, giving upperclassmen the ability to choreograph pieces for the concerts. Students will also learn scales, sight-reading and basic music theory.
Theatre Essentials (10 Credits)
For students new to SSHS, or new to theatre itself, Theatre Essentials is the first step in a theatre arts education. Open to all students with no audition, this college preparatory course provides experiences crucial to the skillset of budding performers, such as improvisation, scene and monologue work, character development, performance critiquing, and basic stage-performance. The class also features guest speakers from the entertainment industry to provide an inside look at arts after high school and help show students the path to a successful career in theatre.
Musical Theatre Certification Requirements
Recognition - 40 Credits
Honors - 50 Credits
High Honors - 60 Credits
Note:
High Honors must complete two years of Musical Theatre as well as complete a senior project.
40 credits minimum needed to certify in Musical Theatre