Theater Technical Arts, Data Analysis Among New Upper School Course Offerings

Students in the Upper School’s new theater technical arts class are already hard at work as the semester begins, painting sets, building props, mapping out lighting and preparing for a fall of performing arts productions in each division. 

 

The class—taught by Resident Designer and Technical Director Gordon Richins with help from production assistant Justice Musick-Corson—introduces advanced theater terminology to students and helps them obtain hands-on skills that will bring theater productions to life. Mr. Richins has taught the class as a Middle School elective for several years, and student interest led to the creation of an Upper School elective, as well. 

 

The students are already hard at work preparing for the Upper School production of Frankenstein, which will take place Oct. 26-28 in McGregor Family Theater. The class will also work on the set for the Middle School musical The SpongeBob Musical which will take place in November.   

 

Theater technical arts is one of a few new elective options for Upper School students, as the St. Margaret’s curriculum naturally evolves based on student need, student interest and faculty expertise.

 

Juniors and seniors can also enroll in a new elective, introduction to data science, taught by Upper School math teacher Linda He. The course introduces students to the opportunities available at the intersection of data analysis, computing and mathematics through engaging, hands-on activities. Through the work, students will find and communicate meaning in data, and think critically about arguments based on data.  

 

In world languages, Latin IV honors has been rebranded as advanced Latin literature, which gives advanced Latin students more flexibility in their course progression. The class introduces students to the reading and interpretation of authentic Latin literature, focusing on precise translation and literary analysis of text.