Theater

When the curtain goes up opening night at a Visitation production— whether musical or drama—the stage lights reflect on the extraordinary efforts of each student. Theater at Visitation is a community-building experience wherein our students of many talents find their role within the broader context of theater. Students design and sew costumes, build and paint the sets, design the program cover, serve as stage managers, shine the spotlight, and perform the musical scores to bring the production to life.

Acting on a Visitation stage is more than following the script. Actors are encouraged to fully develop their characters, bringing the knowledge they have learned through their studies and life experiences to the context of the script to mold characters that are vibrant and compelling. Actors benefit from the experiences and direction of an acting coach, choreographer, and music director.

Visitation welcomes young men from many Catholic high schools to our stage, adding energy to the productions and creating friendships that span many performances. As well, Visitation students are invited to audition for shows at both Gonzaga College High School and St. Anselm's Abby School, expanding performance opportunities and building a citywide theater community.

Theater Arts

Members of the tech crew are integral to Visitation's theater productions. From stage manager, to tech crew, Visitation students take ownership of the costumes, scenery, props, lights, and sound. These students use their skills and talents to make each production a success.

In addition to the hands-on performance experience, students may take the Theater Craft and Performance course, designed to give students a background in basic theater technology and performance. During the first half of the semester-long course, students study the history of the theater and its components, with a focus on specific areas of the theater, with students learning all aspects of lighting, sound, costuming, scenic design and construction, props, and make-up. During the second half of the semester students learn how to choose and develop characters, and perform monologues and scenes in class. The in-class performance at the end of the semester features scenes and monologues rehearsed during the course.