Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Department believes that the stage is an extension of the classroom. Our curricular performances are supplemented and augmented through co-curricular offerings such as the Upper School Musical, the Middle School Musical, and the Upper School Play. Each production team strives to choose material to reflect the diverse talents of our student body, while also choosing topics and themes that are relevant to them as learners. Every Middle and Upper School student is encouraged to audition for their divisional productions. We believe in providing an inclusive environment for all. Our students are involved in every facet of our mainstage performances both on and off stage, including set building, tech crew, and stage management.

At Roland Park Country School, we believe that every student has a place in the Performing Arts department. From beginners to experienced artists, our classes are designed to build upon students’ strengths and encourage their areas of growth. Our department offers a wide range of courses which are all offered during the school day. In the Performing Arts classrooms, our students explore, create and discover in a collaborative environment. They learn what it means to immerse themselves fully in the performing arts, whether they are crafting their skills as a performer or as a member of the backstage crew. 

In the Classroom by Division:

Lower School
All students participate in dance and music classes from kindergarten through grade 5.
 

Middle School

Dance	Music	Theatre
Dance 6	Music 6	Theatre 6
Dance 7	Music 7	Theatre 7
Dance 8 – elective	Chorus – Grades 6, 7, 8	Theatre 8 – elective
	Music 8 – Eighth Grade Singers – elective
	Music 8 – Art of the Musical –elective

 

Upper School

Each student must take ¾ credit (3 semester courses) of Visual and Performing Arts. One of the courses must be completed by the end of ninth grade.  At least ¼ credit (1 semester course) must be in Visual Arts (studio art, ceramics, design, photography) and ¼ credit in Performing Arts (dance, music, theater). The final ¼ credit is the student’s choice. Students may choose from the courses listed below to partially complete this requirement.

Dance	Music	Theater
Studio Dance	Piano I/II	Acting: Foundations of Theatre
Advanced Studio Dance	Somettos – Auditioned singing ensemble – Grades 9, 10	Directing for the Actor
Roses Repertory Dance Company – Auditioned ensemble– Grades 11, 12	Semiquavers – Auditioned ensemble– Grades 11, 12	Theatre Design Appreciation
	Upper School Chorus – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12	Footlights Theater Ensemble (FTE) – Auditioned ensemble– Grades 11, 12

 

In the Upper School there are three auditioned Performing Ensembles - The Footlights Theatre Ensemble, The Semiquavers and Roses Repertory Dance Company. Every other year these ensembles create an original collaborative production which they tour abroad.  Past tours have included Italy; Greece; Ireland and Scotland; Salzburg, Vienna and Prague.

The Macfarlane Arts Center holds a multi-use complex of performance and practice spaces for dance, theater and music and houses the 425-seat Sinex Theater. The Nancy Roche Performing Arts Wing holds the Swingle Chorus Room and the Tyler Studio.