Empowering students with language-based learning differences
Drama
Arts
“I’m scared, happy, and excited about playing a lead role in this play. Before this, I had always been backstage and not recognized although I always loved theatre. This is my first lead role! My favorite thing about Siena is that everyone has dyslexia.” –Siena elementary student reflecting on their role in The Empress's New Clothes
Students at Siena will find drama incorporated throughout their daily classes. Drama develops a variety of skills, including oral expression, listening, and collaboration. Learning various dramatic techniques helps to develop spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, linguistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligences as the students participate in activities, games and an annual production. Students explore the theater as a whole, undertaking different roles including that of writer, actor, stage manager, stage designer, sound technician, and director.
Since 2014, Siena has been producing an annual musical. In these productions, 4th-12th grade students act, sing, design sets/costumes, choreograph, run props and serve on set/lighting crew. Hands-on opportunities in drama permeate the Siena curriculum:
Since 2014, Siena has been producing an annual musical. In these productions, 4th-12th grade students act, sing, design sets/costumes, choreograph, run props and serve on set/lighting crew. Hands-on opportunities in drama permeate the Siena curriculum:
Students in all grades write and act in skits and plays in history classes to demonstrate their understanding of historical time periods
9th and 10th graders present an annual Mock Trial, with 9th graders taking roles as the witnesses and 10th graders serving as attorneys
Students in grades 7 and higher read and act out Shakespeare plays in their English classes
All Siena students may audition for the annual musical
Students perform skits at performing arts assemblies each year
Siena offers drama as an elective for all students:
Middle School
Middle school students participate in a wide variety of activities to help teach the basics of theater and discover their inner thespians. From pantomime performances to radio dramas, students learn how to express conflict, incorporate music, craft characters, and project their voice. They perform monologues and create stage posters, learning all aspects of theater from planning a show (including script writings and set design) to performing in character. Studying the acting tools of mind, movement, and voice, students learn stage directions, practice memorizing and writing scripts, writing scripts, and learn how to analyze verse and prose.
High School Drama
The high school drama course offers an in depth study of theater, spending time not only learning the craft of acting but analyzing and writing plays. Students spend time analyzing play characters, writing and analyzing monologues, performing Shakespeare, learning acting styles, practicing improvisation, and designing sets & costumes. This class offers numerous performance opportunities, including a showcase where students write, direct, and perform in an original play.
High School Performing Arts
This elective consists of two parts: an intensive research project in the field each student is most interested in (Shakespeare, musical theatre, stand-up comedy, digital shorts, etc.) and a whole class study of the performing arts. While students work on an independent project in their area of focus, they also perform contemporary scenes, analyze and perform monologues, and practice their improvisation and mental flexibility.
International Thespian Society
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As of the 2024-25 school year, Siena is an official chapter of the Maryland branch of the International Thespian Society, connecting our students' dedicated theatre experience at Siena with the larger high school theatre community.