All theatre students will participate in experiences that promote enjoyment and appreciation for all aspects of theatre through classwork including characterization, playwriting, improvisation, scene work, history, and the fundamentals of acting theories, skills and production. NPHS VPA acting students have the chance to participate in specially blocked scheduling that combined Acting and Theatre courses. During these courses students will use improvisation, simple scripted scenes, performance projects, and/or practical application to identify what makes performances believable and explore the tools used to create, articulate, and execute them. By participating in rehearsals and public performances students develop a strong foundation for scene work, script analysis, and play productions.

NPHS VPA acting students audition and rehearse a full-length children’s play and a full-length drama or comedy for public performance each year. These students are also invited to attend district, regional and state festivals where they are encouraged to present individual event pieces for adjudication. Judges will determine which solo, small group and ensemble pieces may advance through various levels of performance adjudication. All theatre students are encouraged to be involved as much as possible in all aspects of theatrical performance and advanced Pre-AICE and AICE course work.