Theatre Arts

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. “ Colossians 2:6-7

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack.

Through the hands of the Christian teacher, walking in partnership with parents, the goal of Theater Arts at Pantego Christian Academy is to provide an informative, inspiring and encouraging environment in which students will discover and develop God’s gifts. I pray that every day you will celebrate the person God intended you to become.

CLASSES

Middle and High School students may choose to take Drama classes two, three or four days a week, for a whole semester or a year, which counts as a Fine Arts Elective. The Drama Classes, along with other student volunteers, help with various PCA productions and chapel services. PCA is pleased to have four drama classes of middle school students, two sixth grade classes and two 7th-8th classes. The classes are performance-oriented. Middle school students performed three times in chapels last semester. Students will learn how to:

• Be more creative, to understand the creative functions of an actor, director and playwright and appreciate the essential collaborative relationship of the three.
• Record blocking effectively (i.e., accurately, quickly, and legibly).
• Build a character, move onstage in character and with confidence.
• Understand and demonstrate motivation, enunciation, energy, rhythm, tempo, and pace.
• Act, breathe, warm up, improvise, rehearse, audition, evaluate performances, perform, write a play, score a script, develop a character, direct a scene, and serve as stage crew, including props, lights, set design, make-up, and costumes.

PERFORMANCES AND COMPETITIONS

For the first time, PCA middle school drama students will compete in the Holy Trinity Drama Tournament in Temple on January 29. The MS meet includes the following categories: Solo and Duet Acting, Impromptu Speaking, Poetry and Prose Interpretation, Group Improvisation, Oratory, Storytelling, Record Mime and Soapbox Speaking.

On April 9, in Argyle, 14 middle school students will represent PCA in a one-act competition, the winner of which will go to state at TCU. The cast will perform The Happy Scarecrow. In addition to an excellent script with interesting characters, The Happy Scarecrow delivers a strong Christian message. Students will glorify Christ and provide a 40-minute, thought-provoking, entertaining, Christian education experience.

The cast will also perform The Happy Scarecrow in a combined chapel at 9:15 on Wednesday, April 6.

Two of the highlights of each school year are the annual Fall and Spring Plays. Open auditions are held for grades 6-12, and many students enjoy working behind the scenes, as well. In December (2010), PCA students delighted their audience with the production of ” The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Of the 29 students involved in the cast and crew for the fall production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 20 were middle school students, several of whom were not enrolled in drama class.

Open auditions for the spring production will be announced in February.

High School drama students will compete in solo and duet acting events at TAPPS in Abilene on Feb 28-March 1

A capital campaign to complete the new high school will be launched in 2011, which will include a fund drive to build a theatre.