CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

Philosophy of Education

Quality instruction in all areas of theatre performance with as many students involved as possible is the basic premise of the Cathedral theatre program.  Hands on production experience is paramount in the learning process. Consequently, the Cathedral program is considered a performance rather than a lecture program. Emphasis is placed on commitment, responsibility, cooperation, and teamwork in addition to all of the information necessary to develop knowledge of and appreciation for the theatre arts. Considering that the most important things for students at this age are participation, acceptance, and acknowledgement, no student is ever turned away from a Cathedral production either in acting or tech. Any student who wants to be involved, may be involved.  Productions for each season are chosen to reflect this policy.  Central to the Cathedral philosophy is for the students to “take ownership” in all aspects of the program from design to performance.  This carefully constructed framework of experience, training, and experimentation helps provide the leadership, knowledge, life skills, and appreciation of the arts to successfully enable students to contribute to cultural society.

 ASPECTS OF CATHEDRAL THEATRE

1. Extensive curriculum coverage of theatre arts
2. Five show season
   1. Fall Mainstage
   2. Children’s Play (student directed)
   3. “Rookie” Showcase (students w/little or no experience)
   4. Spring Mainstage (musical)
   5. Black Box Series ( 5 shows)
   6. ComedySportz Improv. Team
3. College Scholarship Program
   1. Self-supporting                                                                    
   2. $9800.00 distributed in 2009

              IV.     Member of International Thespian Society

1. Summer Drama Camp for jr. high students
2. Outreach
   1. Special matinees for elementary/jr. high students
   2. Aid to elementary/jr. high drama programs
   3. Free tickets for underprivileged and/or “at risk” students
3. Philanthropy
   1. Fund raising “benefit” productions for Day Nursery Auxiliary of Indianapolis
   2. Clothing drive for Turkish earthquake relief
   3. Supplies drive for St. Vincent Hospice
   4. Sponsorship collection for American Heart Association 5K walk
   5. 100 volunteer hours at St. Vincent DePaul Society
   6. Clothing drive for charity auction, Officer’s Wives Club, 232 Infantry, Ft. Lewis, WA, ‘04,’05
   7. Costuming for Carmel Community Players, 2003
   8. Toy drive for Kosovo orphans ‘04
   9. Sponsorship for Ball Sate U. theatre, 02,03,04,05,06

10.  Sponsorship for Teen USA, 05

11.  Aide for Eagle Scout projects 02, 05(2), 06

12.  Food drive for Lord’s Pantry 06

13.  Magic show for Indiana Wish Foundation 06

14.  Sponsorship for Utah Valley University Theatre 06

15.  Costume donation to Chapman Middle School, SLC, 06

16.  Costume aid for CCP 06

17.  Software fundraising and donation for UVU, 2007

18.  Heartwalk, 2007

19.  Juvenile Diabetes Drive 2007

20.  Christmas Family Sponsorship 2007-2009 (St. Gabriel)

21.  Aid to 3 elementary school theatre programs (2008)

22.  Aid to Hasten Hebrew Academy for Holocost program 2008, 2009

23.  Costumed Roncalli’s MUSIC MAN 2008

24.  Costumes for 3 adult theatres 2008

25.  Sponsorship for Purple Bench Productions (Stephanie Dodge ’00)

26.  Sponsorship for BMOC at IU (Breast Cancer Research)

27.  Sponsorship for Ka-tet Theatre Productions (Caty Mick ’03)

28.  Production aids 2009

1. Hasten Hebrew Academy
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
3. St. Louis deMontfort
4. Nativity School
5. St. Simon
6. Christ the King
7. Roncalli High School
8. Carmel Community Players
9. Heartland Theatre of Indiana
10. Carmel Repertory Theatre

29.  Service Learning with St. Gabriel School 2007-2009

1. Backstage Boosters parent support group
   1. Provides snacks and meals when necessary
   2. Raises money for scholarships
   3. Runs subscription/sponsorship sales
2. Student Involvement
   1. No cut policy-All students involved who want to be
   2. 300 to 400 students annually involved (1300 school enrollment)
   3. 5% to 10% of theatre graduates major in college theatre
3. Special Events

1.    Top 25 Theatre Programs in USA, 1999 (American H.S. Theatre Festival)

1. 15 of 25 actors in Galyan’s commercials 2000, 2001, 2002
2. National 1^st place winner A&E Student Screen Test 2001
3. Phoenix Theatre, 15 students NEA workshop, 2000
4. IRT, 4 students out of 400 chosen for student internships, 2000,2001,2003,2005
5. Winner, State Shakespeare Monologue competition, 2001
6. International Thespian Society, Many competition awards, 1997-2002
7. ComedySportz High School League improvisation, 2001-2009(2 teams)

10.  Performing Arts Scholarships at Purdue U., Wabash College, and St. Louis U., 2003

Purdue, Ball State, Columbia College, Case Western Reserve, Wittenberg, 2004 and 2005, 30 various scholarships 06, 07, 08; DePaul, Ball State, Purdue (2), I.U., DePauw, St. Louis, Cincinnati Conservatory, DePaul, Columbia College, Loyola

11.  Recipient of Purdue University Performing Arts Scholarship 3 of the last 6 years.

12.  Voice-over radio and TV ads -  5 students, 04 -05 – 15 students w/multiple jobs, 05-07– 5 students signed by acting/modeling agent 05-07; 2 students, 09

13.  Movie script workshop 06

14.  Movie shoot for festival film 06

15.  Multiple presentations for Indy Fringe Festival 06-09

16.  Finalist in IRT Playwriting Contest ‘08

17.  Street Performing Troupe, Indy Fringe 2008

18.  State Thespian Conference Winners ’09: 1 Scholarship; 1 BEST IN SHOW; 2 Superiors; 1 Excellent

19.  5 award winners out of 916 entries, Tony Awards Photo Contest, 2009