Performing Arts

STHS School of Performing Arts

Each year the School of the Arts students work using an overarching theme that serves to guide exploration for the school year. 

SoPA Theme 2021-2022 : Theatre of the Absurdist Satirical Existentialism!

Ok, so we made this up! We are in a strange place in time to say the least. We have a lot of questions about what is going on and what does it all mean. We were struck by the ideas in theatre that have came before us usually surrounding times of unrest and new ideas in philosophy. Theatre of the Absurd is described as drama using the abandonment of conventional dramatic form to portray the futility of human struggle in a senseless world. Next, we have satire which has been around pretty much forever and is defined as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Finally, existentialism emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

Our new form of theatre therefore will abandon the conventional dramatic form, use humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to show the human struggle and stupidity in this senseless and indifferent world, and stress freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

We will perform 2 One Acts for the Winter Showcase, "The Absolute Most Cliched Elevator Play in the History of the Universe" by Werner Trieschmann, and "Home at Six" by Lee Falk.  The Spring Showcase will consist of student created and directed works.

Important Dates:

Please note, all SoPA actors MUST be present at the Showcases.

Renaissance Faire-Thursday Oct. 7th. There is a $16 fee

Winter School of the Arts Showcase, Fine Arts Gallery in the lobby, Theatre arts One Acts, and Fashion Runway Show. Friday January 21st, 2022, starting art 6:30 pm.

Monologue Showcase- a blend of classical and contemporary monologues every actor needs for their tool box. Thursday March 17th, 2022 in the Black Box Theatre, room 124 at 7:00 pm.

Mock DUI (SoPA actors traditionally perform at this important event) Friday May 13th, 2022.

Spring School of the Arts Showcase, Fine Arts Gallery in the lobby, Theatre Arts Student Run Show, and Fashion Run Way Show. Friday May 20th, 2022 starting at 6:30 pm