The fall high school theater season begins in November and students are busy perfecting their craft or in some cases, just feeding an interest.
Fairfax County Public Schools offers students, in grades 7-12, the opportunity to learn all there is to know about the theater arts through elective courses. However, it is the drama productions most people are familiar with. The productions give the students a chance to practice what they are learning in class. The shows also give nontheater-arts students an opportunity to get a taste of what the program has to offer, ranging from behind-the-scenes technical work to stage acting.
"The theater arts classes are like any other elective classes. They have a program of studies, certified teachers. There is a comprehensive curriculum," said Roger Tomhave, the school system's fine arts coordinator. "The plays and musicals are extra-curricular activities. They are auditioned shows and anyone who wants to tryout can. They're open to anyone whether they are a theater-arts students or not."
The fine arts courses offered at both the middle- and high-school level are included in the core instruction program budget for the entire school system, which also includes English, language arts, reading, foreign languages, health and physical education, math, science and social studies. About $11 per pupil is allocated to each school's general fund to be used for the instruction programs. The funds designated for theater arts are used to purchase supplies and materials needed for the individual classes. In addition, there are some students fees for personal-use items such as make-up kits.
The productions, however, are not funded through the school system, but by the individual schools. The theater director gets a stipend, much like a football coach does, for the extra-curricular activities. "The director usually has to share it with those who help out that don't get a stipend like the choir director or if there is a choreographer," Tomhave said.
The admission charged for the productions helps to offset additional charges such as the rights fees associated with musicals and plays, set pieces or costume rental.
Tomhave said approximately 9,000 students take part in the theater arts program countywide.