About The Department
THE WORLD IS OUR STAGE!
The Dekalb Theater Department is dedicated to providing students with outstanding performance opportunities at Dekalb High School.
We believe that the shows should be student-run in almost every aspect so you won't see many adults helping the students backstage, in the lighting and sound booth, or playing the instruments. The theater department is directed by Mr. Jed Freels who also teaches a full slate of theater classes at DeKalb High School. Students have the opportunity to take classes such as Theater Production, Technical Theater, Musical Theater, Advanced Theater Arts, and Advanced Acting.
In This Department we Believe that A Theatre Education is Vital for A Well Rounded Society! To achieve this we focus on Teaching Theater education in the Following Areas.
Self-Confidence:
Taking risks in class and performing for an audience teach students to trust their ideas and abilities. This confidence will apply in nearly every aspect of their future.
Imagination:
In a word addicted to technology, theatre provides an outlet for making creative choices, thinking new ideas, and interpreting the material in expressive ways that are the essence of drama.
Empathy & Tolerance:
Acting roles from different situations, time periods, and cultures promote compassion and tolerance for others.
Cooperation/Collaboration:
Theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities from its participants.
Concentration:
Playing, practicing, and performing develop a sustained focus of mind, body, and voice which helps with other areas of life including school.
Communication Skills:
Drama enhances verbal and nonverbal expression of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation, fluency of language, and persuasive speech.
Problem Solving:
Students learn to communicate the who, what, where, when, and why to the audience. Improvisation fosters quick-thinking solutions, which leads to greater adaptability in life.
Fun:
Theatre brings play, humor, and laughter to learning; this improves motivation and reduces stress.
Trust:
The social interaction and risk taking in drama develop trust in self, others, and the process.
Memory:
Rehearsing and performing the words, movements, and cues strengthen this skill like a muscle.
Social Awareness:
Legends, myths, poems, stories, and plays used in drama teach students about social issues and conflicts from cultures past, present, all over the world.
Aesthetic Appreciation:
Participating in and viewing theatre raise appreciation for the art form. It is important to raise a generation that understands, values, and supports theatre's place in society.