Why Drama and Musical Theatre??
Watch Our Upcoming 2025 Drama Movie Trailer
It's a question that we frequently hear from parents and students:
"Why would I take Drama and Musical Thea I don't want to be an actor."
Dramatic Arts at Thornlea Secondary School gives students the opportunity to learn and improve upon many complex, collaborative skills, including: problem-solving, creating, negotiating, communicating, consensus-building, supporting, presenting, and reflecting---to name just a few. By entering 'imagined' spaces, our students learn new and unique ways to view themselves and their world.
Drama classroom experiences enhance students' abilities to listen, question, interpret, create, communicate, and reflect.
The universal human experience in explored in a safe, creative, non-judgemental, reflective environment.
Step into the world of Drama and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being.
Step into the world of Drama and experience a sense of wonder and joy!
Special Program Opportunities
DRAMA CLUB - all students are welcome to audition for a major production that is mounted in the second week of December. This year's production is Les Belles-soeurs, a two-act play written in 1965 by Canadian playwright, Michel Tremblay. It was Trembley's first professionally produced work and is now his most-produced and most often translated work. This play dares to portray working class women doing working class things. It set off a storm of controversy!
THORNLEA LIGHTS, SET and SOUND - So you're more interested in what happens behind the scenes? This is the club for you! All students are welcome to join one of the most popular clubs at Thornlea. TLSS is responsible for setting up and running lights and sound for all the school assemblies. TLSS also makes up the production team for the school play. This year, students are building sets, making props, learning lights and sound, and hunting down set pieces for our production of Les Belles Soeurs. All tech for the school show is student run. TLSS are responsible for all things technical that happen in Thornlea. Don't worry if you don't have a lot of experience - we train!
S.O.A.P. FESTIVAL - The Student One-Act Play Festival is mounted at the end of April. This is one of the most popular events at Thornlea that is student directed, student built and student produced. Occasionally students will even direct Thornlea teachers in a one act. The S.O.A.P. Festival is the do-not-miss event of the Thornlea theatre season!
Grade 12 DRAMA - The final year of Drama at Thornlea ends with a full length fully produced production in June. Once again the students do it all!
Alphabetical Listing of Careers related to Dramatic Studies (from My Pathway Planner):
- Acting Instructor
- Actor
- Adult Education Teacher
- Casting Director
- Circus Performer
- Comedian
- Costume Designer
- Dancer
- Director
- Disc Jockey
- Early Childhood Educator
- Elementary School Teacher
- High School Teacher
- Magician
- Makeup Artist
- Middle School Teacher
- Recreational Therapist
- Singer
- Special Education Teacher
Link to Post-Secondary Institutions Offering English-Related Programs:
My Pathway Planner
Ontario CollegeseINFOOntario Universities Application CentreTheatre Program at York UniversityDrama Department at Queen's UniversityTheatre Arts/Performance Programs at Ontario Colleges
Links and Resources
For those interested in pursuing Performing Arts career:
The George Brown Theatre School has earned a national reputation for training highly skilled actors. Taught by notable theatre artists, students receive concentrated, career-oriented training in the fundamental skills and professionalism needed to work as professional actors in theatre, television and film.
For those interested in pursuing a career in Theatre Production:
The Humber CollegeTheatre Production diploma program provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in professional performing arts and the entertainment industries. With an emphasis on the technical and visual components of production, the curriculum covers the art and technology of crafting exquisite props, puppets, costumes, set pieces and painted scenery. It also covers the use of a broad range of lighting, sound and rigging equipment. Students develop hands-on expertise as they mount productions for the Humber Theatre season in partnership with students enrolled in Humber’s Theatre Performance program.
For those interested in experiencing MORE theatre:
Soulpepper believes strongly that the connection between young people and the arts is best fostered through a direct relationship with the artists on our stages. At the centre of all of Soulpepper's education initiatives is the notion of mentorship: a direct and personal relationship between young people and our artists. To make theatre accessible to young people, Soulpepper offers all remaining unsold tickets to youth 21 and under for only $5. Purchase Youth Rush Tickets at our Box Office 30 minutes before all performances in our season.