HHM students can join the Performing Arts Certificate program by joining the google classroom. Get the code from Mr. Rao to access the classroom.
“The Performing Arts Certificate is a theatre-based program that enhances the existing provincial curriculum and encourages students passionate about creating theatre to take it further with workshops with established artists and productions in class or our performance program.”
Upon graduating, students receive their certificate which represents their contributions to the program. Many of our grads to go on to study theatre, musical theatre, film, music, and dance, but many others also study engineering, medicine, and more. This program is built to suit the passion of the students.
Those who wish to be heavily involved on stage and behind the scenes can do the pre-pro program and are eligible for scholarships and awards. Others prefer the academic route. Students can participate in the program their own way for a more fulfilling high school experience.
Join today to make new friends and take advantage of the exciting opportunities within.
There are two levels: Academic and Pre-Professional (Pre-Pro).
Academic
Students must complete two courses: Drama or Dance and Theatre Arts by grade 12. Two in-class workshops (with professionals organized by the program) and 2 in-class performances.
Pre-Professional (Pre-Pro)
This level is designed for students who wish to excel and are focused on Theatre performance, passionate about theatre behind the scenes, and/or may be considering studying theatre, film, dance, or TV in their post-secondary life.
Students must complete 3 or more courses, 6 workshops, and 6 or more class or public performances within the program.
These courses would be Dance, Drama, Theatre Arts, and/or Theatre Arts with a Musical Theatre focus. Students may repeat courses to improve their marks and to have new experiences. Only Pre-pro students are eligible for scholarships.
Performing Arts Leadership Team and other Leadership Opportunities.
Every year, students in grade 11 and 12 can apply to join the Leadership Team. The Leadership team helps support and implement programming. They are mentors for new and current students in the program. They provide the student perspective on choice of shows, workshops, and performance opportunities.. The Performing Arts Leadership Team has a real say into the direction of the program. Students must be enrolled in the Certificate (by joining the google classroom) to apply to the Leadership Team. Students must also be enrolled in Performing Arts courses or have competed at least one to apply.
Students who have a focus on Theatre production and performance (on stage and behind the scenes) are best suited for the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team meets Mondays at lunch. Most of their activity occurs at lunch and not outside the school day (but occasionally they may be required to do work after school).
Each production also has students in leadership positions like an Assistant Director, Assistant Producers, Choreography Assistant, Stage Manager, Production Design Assistant among others.
MainStage Company
The MainStage company is our main performance company. Any student in the school can audition for the MainStage Company. If they are successful, they should also sign up to complete the Performing Arts Certificate. Students who wish to join the MainStage Company MUST audition in September. Typically, MainStage company produces 2 shows per year: one in the fall and one in the Winter/Spring. Not everyone gets into the MainStage Company and you do not need to be in the MainStage Company to participate in the Performing Arts Certificate.
If you do not make it into the MainStage company, there are other performance opportunities in the courses (Drama, Dance, Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre), and at occasionally at lunch.
How do I join the crew?
Every September we send out a form to our google classroom that students use to apply for crew roles. Crew roles include things like stage managers, lighting operators, props makers, set painters, costume assistants, sound effects operators among others.
You do not need experience to get a job.
To improve your chances we always recommend taking Drama, attending technical workshops etc.
Not all roles are required every week of rehearsal. The Stage Manager and Assistant stage managers are needed regularly. Students in other technical roles will attend based on the production schedule. We typically rehearse Mondays and Wednesdays after school, Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch. We add rehearsals other days as required. Musicals require more rehearsal time, but that will be reflected in the show schedule which we post online.
Commitment is the biggest thing we look for in crew members. Being reliable, showing up, and getting to work with a positive attitude goes a long way to a great crew experience.
What kind of crew roles are there?
Here are a few, but limited to these:
Assistant Director: Assists the director. Typically this is a grade 11 or 12 student with experience within the program. They often get scene within a MainStage show they would direct. Other times, they may run directed scenes while the director (Mr. Rao) tackles new text.
Assistant Producer: Helps with the big picture behind the scenes work.
Assistant (to the) Choreographer: Typically a student with dance experience who may create new choreo for a show. They may also assist the professional choreographer we hire.
Vocal Assistant: Typically assistant with vocal rehearsals for a Cabaret or musical. They would be able to read music and have experience as a singer. (Grade 11 or 12 student.)
Costumes Assistant: assists pro costume person if one is hired; sewing and ironing skills a must)
Stage Manager: organized, loves taking notes, can take direction as well as give it, calls the show)
Assistant Stage Manager: takes notes, calls actors, helps run show, keeps actors and crew on task)
Lighting Assistant: learns the lighting system and *may operate lighting board
Sound Assistant/FX Op: learns aspects of our the sound system and *may operate sound FX
Mic Tech: handles mics, places them on actors, takes care of them during and after show
Props: finds, makes, or helps source all props. May also run props during show
Set Builder: loves using tools, drills, hammers, saws
Set Painter: being an artistic painter very helpful)
Set Decorator: helps with set decor
Fly Person: flies curtains and set-pieces in and out during a show
Stage Hand: general helper
Regional Drama Festival
When we attend Drama Festival, members of the MainStage company produce a small one act for the festival. Sometimes this is student directed and Mr. Rao mentors the Assistant Director.
Musical
If we produce a Musical during the school year, that is a separate audition and the director (Mr. Rao) vocal director (Mr. Colbourne), music director (Mrs. Brennan) and choreographer determine if you are cast in that show. Each of these directors/choreographer gets one vote each for each cast member.
Any student in the school can audition for the musical. They do not need to be in the Performing Arts Certificate program or the MainStage company.
However, to develop the skills to be successful in an audition, taking Drama or Theatre Arts would help a student develop.
“What if I audition/apply and don’t get a part on stage or behind the scenes in the MainStage Company?”
First of all, don’t give up. Sometimes it takes multiple tries. Other students find success behind the scenes as well, while others have great experiences in the courses.,
We highly recommenced acting or technical students take Drama to give them the necessary introductory skills to improve their chances to joining MainStage company. It gives you the foundation, especially for students who are new to acting/tech. In your Drama class you will also do scene work and have performance and production opportunities.
For Actors: Taking Drama, attend the audition and acting workshops to improve your chances.
For Technicians: Take the Drama course to build essential skills and attend technical workshops to improve your chances.
We often have lunchtime performances where students can assist and be mentored by senior students to gain knowledge and experience.
Performing Arts Awards Night
This is our night! At the end of the school year, we have our annual Performing Arts Awards night. Students who have completed the program, receive their certificate at our Awards night. Students at the Pre-Pro level are eligible for scholarships offered only in our program.
This is a night to celebrate our accomplishments over the school year and to recognize students and their achievements within the program this past year.
The night begins with a small number of performances from students in the program and is followed by a certificate and short awards presentations. Friends and family are welcome to attend every year and it is open to our school community.