Drama Programs
Drama Program
The Drama department at Mercer Island High School is open to all students, regardless of skill level. We believe that the creative process behind theatre helps build lifelong learners and collaborators.
Through the offerings in our program, we strive to:
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Provide an educational experience which enables all students to grow personally through creative self-expression.
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Provide students with opportunities to develop skills in all aspects of theatre arts, including acting, singing, dancing, improvisational, and technical theatre skills through rigorous coursework and live performances.
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Give students instruction and experience in collaborative work, self-discipline, and leadership.
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Prepare students to be well-rounded, contributing members of the community, as well as theatre professionals.
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Be inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds in our community as we take risks to address relevant social issues through theatrical exploration and performance.
Course Offerings
Here are the courses we offer
Dance Production and Choreography
Students will develop and practice basic dance skills in a variety of dance styles, including jazz, salsa, ballet, tap, modern and hip-hop. The course will also include techniques in choreography, as well as dance history, helping students to understand varied dance forms as a reflection of culture and history. Students choreograph their own pieces, develop and deliver performance critiques, and participate in performances. Students will create, produce, and mount a full-scale theatrical dance production for public performance. This course includes instruction on stage make-up techniques, costume design and construction, lighting design, stagecraft, advertising, budget development, and front of the house management. Students have the opportunity to perform, direct, and manage the business of a full-scale dance production in the fall semester. In the spring semester, students will choreograph a full-length production. All levels welcome.
Drama Improv
Through drama games and improvisations, you will learn to “think on your feet,” improve focus and concentration ability, and collaborate with others. In-class activities promote development of listening and memorization skills. Activities will help you build confidence and self-esteem. You do not need to be an actor to take this class. It is for all skill levels and abilities. Each unique semester builds on knowledge acquired through the course of the year. In-class work helps you prepare for an Improv Show at the end of the semester.
Drama 1: Actors Studio
This course offers you the fundamentals of acting and improvisation, text study and analysis (monologues, scenes, and full plays), working with dramatic structure, and preparing for auditions. Activities are designed to sharpen skills in concentration, communication, collaboration, vocal and physical expressiveness, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Each unique semester builds on knowledge acquired through the course of the year. Students who complete Drama 1 successfully are encouraged to audition for Drama 2.
Drama 2: Advanced Drama
This performance-based program explores a wide range of approaches to developing your artistic voice as a theatre actor. Drama 2 students are expected to dedicate significant outside-of-class-time to rehearse and perform in the winter/spring productions. When appropriate, you will train with professional artists in such specialized areas as mask work, singing and dancing, playwriting, and stage combat. As opportunities arise, you will work collaboratively to create original theatre pieces for in-school and/or other public performances.
Theatre Technology 1
This is a project-based, hands-on opportunity for students with a serious interest in learning about the basic technical elements of lighting and sound, set building, scene painting, costume design and construction, and marketing for theatre. Opportunities are available for you to learn to program light cues, operate power tools, engineer sound, use a sewing machine, and more. Outside of class time is encouraged, especially when working on Drama Department productions. Flexible time options are available for students who set up independent contracts with the Drama staff.
Theatre Technology 2
Technical Theatre 2 offers students the opportunities to expand and hone their craft. Students will explore advanced set design and construction techniques, a design process transforming a script into a reality, and the leadership skills necessary to be a productive member of a production team. Students apply, analyze, and assist in the creation of a unifying concept for a production in one or more of the following disciplines: lighting, sound, properties, set construction, special effects, rigging, graphic design, costumes, make-up, theatre management or stage management. Students may choose a technical theatre focus, assist, and then lead the design process for a main stage production. At the end of the course, students will create a portfolio to showcase their work and prepare them for the technical theatre workforce.
Productions
Current Productions
Lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters.
Come look on the bright side of life November 9th-11th and 16th-18th at 7pm in the PAC at Mercer Island High School. Plague not included.
Previous Productions
And A Child Shall Lead
Grease
The Playwright Project
Shakespeare in Love
Penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, struggling young playwright William Shakespeare is tormented by writer’s block until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor. Both are despondent when they learn that Viola’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family. Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet. With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?
Tickets can be purchased by:
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Clicking on the QR code on our publicity materials or by following this link. Please follow the directions carefully in order to receive your ticket receipt.
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We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance.
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Student tickets $10, adult tickets $17, MISD staff tickets $10
April 27th, 7pm: Cast Globe
April 28th, 7pm: Cast Rose (ASL interpreted performance)
April 29th, 2pm: Cast Rose
April 29th, 7pm: Cast Globe
May 4th, 7pm: Cast Rose
May 5th, 7pm: Cast Globe (ASL interpreted performance)
May 6th, 2pm: Cast Globe
May 6th, 7pm: Cast Rose
Our sincere thanks to NW Lifestyle Homes and the Mercer Island Community Fund for their generous support of the production.
CAST ROSE | CAST GLOBE |
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Will: Milo Mechem-Miller |
Will: Mia Vorkoper |
Viola: Sadie Jensen |
Viola: Molly Atkinson |
Viola’s Nurse: Madi Chew |
Viola’s Nurse: Brielle Gradek |
Wessex: Annabel Rimmer |
Wessex: Kyle Gerstel |
Kit Marlowe: Christopher Burnside |
Kit Marlowe: Christopher Burnside |
Henslowe: Jonathan Aggar |
Henslowe: Jonathan Aggar |
Fennyman: Jada Jorgensen |
Fennyman: Jada Jorgensen |
Lambert/Sir Robert de Lesseps/Burbage’s heavy/Abraham: Colin Dowdy |
Lambert/Sir Robert de Lesseps/Burbage’s heavy/Abraham: Colin Dowdy |
Frees/Wabash/Quickly/Molly/Lady in Waiting: Sam Chandar |
Frees/Wabash/Quickly/Molly/Lady in Waiting: Sam Chandar |
Kate/Lady Waiting/Guard 2/Heavy/Adam/Gregory: Ruball Dhillon |
Kate/Lady Waiting/Guard 2/Heavy/Adam/Gregory: Ruball Dhillon |
Burbage/Guard: Chase Urban |
Burbage/Guard: Chase Urban |
Queen Elizabeth/John Webster: Abby Weiss |
Queen Elizabeth/John Webster: Abby Weiss |
Ned Alleyn/Mercutio/Fight captain: Alec Martin |
Ned Alleyn/Mercutio/Fight captain: Alec Martin |
Valentine/Peter//Tybalt/Guard 1/Heavy: Giovee Roque |
Valentine/Peter//Tybalt/Guard 1/Heavy: Giovee Roque |
Ralph/Catling/Juliet’s Nurse/Petruchio: Greg Chvany |
Ralph/Catling/Juliet’s Nurse/Petruchio: Greg Chvany |
Proteus/Nol/Benvolio/Sampson: Zoya Firasta |
Proteus/Nol/Benvolio/Sampson: Zoya Firasta |
Sam/Juliet: Katie McGuire |
Sam/Juliet: Katie McGuire |
Tilney/Bartender: Paige Kirby |
Tilney/Bartender/Server: Paige Kirby |
Robin/Rower/Lady Capulet: Meredith Weaver |
Robin/Rower/Lady Capulet: Meredith Weaver |
Dog: Olivia Ramsey |
Dog: Olivia Ramsey |