Dillard 6-12

The mission of the Dillard Center for the Arts: Theater Magnet Program is to provide students with the skills, training and discipline necessary to pursue a career in the diverse and competitive world of professional entertainment. Through a rigorous combination of rich academic instruction, intense professional training and hands on mentoring, we strive to ensure that our graduates leave us with the tools and abilities necessary to excel as they continue onward into the next phase of their professional growth. Currently, Dillard Center for the Arts alumni have gone on to successful careers in television, film, theater, music as well as a variety of other related fields.

The Theater Magnet Program is separated into three distinct Focus Tracks, each specifically designed to prepare students for a different set of career possibilities in the world of professional entertainment. Prospective students are required to select their track(s) of interest when scheduling their audition appointment, as the audition requirements vary for each track.

ACTING

The mission of the Acting Focus is to train students to be, not only skilled performers, but also well-rounded theatrical practitioners capable of filling multiple roles in the entertainment industry. The Acting Focus centers around a strong core of performance training, including, but not limited to:

• Acting for Stage & Film
• Improvisation
• Various Acting Styles and Techniques o Voice & Movement
• “Voice-Over" Acting
• Theater for Young Audiences

In addition to performance training, students on the Acting Focus Tracks are also instructed in the practical areas of living and working in the theater and entertainment industry, including:

• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• Career Management and Promotion
• Technical Theater
• Directing
• Project Management
• College Selection and Audition Prep

MUSICAL THEATER

The Musical Theater Focus is a rigorous and intensive program designed to prepare students to compete in the demanding world of professional Musical Theater. Like the Acting Focus, the Musical Theater Track centers around a core of performance training, but with a heavy emphasis on Vocal and Dance Technique. The program includes:

• Acting for Musical Theater
• Acting for Stage & Film
• Vocal Performance & Technique
• Dance (Tap, Jazz, Ballet, & Modern)

In addition to performance training, students on the Musical Theater Focus Track are also instructed in the practical areas of theater and entertainment industry, including:

• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• Career Management & Promotion
• Technical Theater
• Directing & Choreography
• Recording Studio Training
• College Selection and Audition Prep

TECHNICAL DESIGN & PRODUCTION*

The Technical Design & Production Focus is an intensive, practical program providing students with the skills and hands-on experience needed to prepare them for a multitude of career paths in the entertainment industry. Technical Design & Production students are also responsible for the design, production and operation of all technical aspects for all Dillard Center for the Arts productions. In addition to studying a variety of technical areas, students in the Technical Design & Production Focus are given the unique opportunity to receive hands-on training from seasoned professionals, while utilizing state of the art theatrical equipment and technology. Some of the technical areas the program covers include:

• Set Design & Construction
• Lighting Technology & Design
• Sound Design (Live & Studio)
• Stage Management
• Costume Construction
• Career Management & Promotion
• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• College Selection and Audition Prep

*While Technical Design & Production students may be required to do a small amount of performance work in certain courses, this is considered a “non-performance” program, meaning that the students primary focus will be on their technical work and not on performing (acting, singing, dancing). Students with a sincere interest in performing may be more suited to the Acting Focus Track which also contains a technical component.

PRODUCTIONS & STUDENT LIFE

Our department produces 4-6 productions annually which include plays, musicals and showcases. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in multiple theatrical organization, including Thespian events at the state and local level, as well as The Cappies and the Florida Theatre Conference. These events give our students the chance to compete against other schools as well as audition for college programs and scholarships.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS & TIME COMMITMENT

Please note that all the Focus Tracks we offer are extremely rigorous and demanding pre-professional programs, both in terms of time commitment and workload. Students are expected to maintain the highest standard in both their performing arts and academic courses. Continued failure to maintain this standard will result in disciplinary measures that may lead to removal from the program. 

In addition to the normal school day, students will also be required, at times, to remain afterschool or attend on weekends for scheduled rehearsals, performances and events. Though advanced notice will always be given, attendance at these scheduled events is considered mandatory for students in the program. Continued failure to attend mandatory scheduled events will result in disciplinary measures that may lead to removal from the program.

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION:

Students interested in auditioning for the Dillard Center for the Arts: Theater Magnet Program must first apply to the magnet school at the link below. Once you have completed your application, you will be contacted by someone from DCA to schedule an audition. Applications are only accepted during scheduled application windows. The next application window opens May 1st, 2020 and closes May 7th, 2020. Apply Here - Click here to apply|Review The Audition Requirements