PVA Theatre Arts
THE CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT CENTRAL MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Program Overview
Students coming to Central Memorial have the opportunity to study theatre arts in the general drama program or to audition for The Centre for Performing & Visual Arts (PVA). This enriched program is divided into the following components:
Studio Work
Every day, PVA Theatre Arts students work with a well rounded team of professional artist/teachers to develop skills required to confidently find success in performance work. Through a conservatory approach focused on specialized instruction, students are encouraged to develop strong acting, movement/dance, and vocal skills.
Production Work
All PVA Theatre Arts students are involved in at least one major production every school year. In this work, students are given the opportunity to participate as either a performer or as a member of the tech crew. Production work requires commitment to an extended school schedule as rehearsals are either before or after the regular school day and performances are in the evenings. Production work is the central component of the PVA Theatre Arts Program. Please see our gallery for pictures of previous PVA productions.
PVA Technical Theatre Program
The PVA Technical Theatre Program is a practical learning experience that provides hands-on opportunities for students interested in development of skills, knowledge and experience in the technical side of the theatrical world. The experiences and skills developed in this program are directly transferrable to post-secondary technical theatre programs as well as preparation for exploration of technical work in broadcasting, motion pictures, stage and multi-media. Students will enroll in year-long tech theatre courses that include practical classroom exercises, theory instruction, design instruction, safety training and working roles that support school productions and theatre bookings.
Students will explore the following six components of technical theatre:
- Set
- Properties (Props)
- Make-up
- Sound
- Lighting
- Management (Stage and Front-of-House)
Technical Theatre PVA students also have the option of participating in PVA Theatre Arts 10/20/30 & Musical Theatre 15/25/35 courses pending a successful audition/interview through PVA Theatre Arts instructors.
Complete an Expression of Interest Online Application indicating Technical Theatre as your selected program of interest.
Theatre Arts Events
Ticket purchase information will be available one month prior to the event start date by visiting www.centraltickets.net
PVA New Student Application Deadline
PVA New Student Application Deadline
See "How to Apply" for more information.
Guest Directors/Artists
Guest Directors
Ellen Chorley – Albright Pact
Aaron Coates – The Astonishing Adventures of Awesome Girl and Radical Boy
Ethan Cole – The Astonishing Adventures of Awesome Girl and Radical Boy
Christian Goutsis – Other Worlds
Duval Lang – Faithless and James and the Giant Peach
Andrew MacDonald-Smith – Seussical
Kevin McKendrick – Our Town, West Side Story, Anything Goes and The Third Wave
Jane McFarlane – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Julie Orton – Shakespeare’s Dog
Reid Spencer – Little Women
Valerie Pearson – Peter Pan the Musical
Eric Rose – The Adding Machine Indivisible
Playwriting / Play Review Workshops
Doug Curtis
Neil Fleming
Jason Long
Gordon Pengilly
Sharon Pollock
Geoff Simon Brown
Tech Theatre
Tom Benz
Anton DeGroot
Ivan Hawke
Acting Technique
Anna Cummer
Haysam Kadri
Physical Theatre
Alice Nelson
Anita Miotti
Creation Theatre
Aaron Coates
Geoffrey Ewert
Eric Rose
Audition Technique
Murray Ord
Voice
Selena Wong
John Day
Forum Theatre
Mariette Sluyter
Stage Combat
Brianna Johnston
Adjudicators
Haysam Kadri
Neil Flemming
Glenda Sterling
Eugene Stickland
Choreo
Mark Ikeda
Christine Mooney
Deanne Walsh
Kate Weiland
Film
Sage Kitchen
Improv
Quinn Contini
Shawn Kinley
Annysa McKee
Andrew Phung
Mask & Mime
Jacqueline Russell
Playwriting
Camile Pavlenko
Christopher Duthie
Stage Management
Susan McNair (Theatre Calgary)
Theatre Arts FAQ
Theatre Arts FAQ
- Can I perform in a play or musical theatre production if I am A PVA student but not enrolled in PVA Theatre Arts?
All PVA Theatre Arts students are guaranteed a performing opportunity in one of our four annual productions. Ten spaces are made available to PVA students in other disciplines who wish to perform in a play or musical. If you are interested in getting involved in the technical aspect of our shows, participation outside of PVA Drama will be considered. - What after-school time commitments are required from PVA Theatre Arts students?
All PVA Theatre Arts students are involved in at least one major school production every school year. Production work requires commitment to an extended school schedule as all rehearsals are either before or after the regular school day, during some weekends, and performances are in the evenings. Students earn credits for their production work and attendance is mandatory. - Does attendance affect my mark?
Yes. Theatre Arts projects are primarily structured around group work thus requiring students to be committed to the program and in class every day. Theatre Arts classes are run during the regular timetable as well as after school and consistent attendance is required for each. All absences may affect student achievement and could compromise their enrolment in PVA Theatre Arts. All unexcused absences impact student achievement. In a given term, students who miss more than five (5) excused classes/rehearsals will also see their achievement impacted. - Can I participate in two PVA programs simultaneously, for example Choir and Theatre Arts?
Due to the intense study and commitment required for one PVA program, it is difficult and challenging to complete two PVA programs during your high school career. Depending on academic course needs and schedules, participating in two PVA streams may be possible. Requests will be handled on an individual basis and should be discussed with teachers at the audition/interview. - When do PVA Theatre Arts students take Professional Leadership in the Arts / Entrepreurial Artist 35?
All PVA students are required to complete either Leadership in the Arts 35 or Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement). These self-directed courses run outside the regular school day. Students will experience a combination of teacher-directed assignments/activities combined with student-directed and/or on-line projects and will learn about drama related careers, attend workshops and meet local artists. For PVA Theatre Arts students, this course begins in grade 10 and finishes at the end of grade 12 with a final exit interview and portfolio celebration. - I am not good at either dancing or singing but I love to act. As part of the PVA Theatre Arts program, do I need to participate in vocal and dance instruction?
Our goal is to encourage young actors to develop a broad range of skills that include both singing and dancing. Instruction in these areas will be non-threatening and will provide a strong foundation for all students regardless of their previous experience or comfort level. In auditions, potential candidates do not need to be highly skilled at either singing or dancing. - Do I need drama training/experience to apply to Central’s PVA Theatre Arts program?
Yes and no. We find that students, successful in PVA Theatre Arts are passionate, keen to develop skills, are willing to take risks, and are committed to their work. If you have these characteristics but lack experience, more than likely you will learn quickly and find success. That being said, many of our students come to Central with a background in theatre. Extra effort may be required for you to attain skills previously mastered by more experienced peers. - Can I do Tech Theatre and perform in a main stage PVA performance?
The Technical Theatre course schedule includes all rehearsals and performances as well as occasional classes after school. These hours combine to meet the requirements of this 125-hour/5-credit course. Due to the extensive time commitment, every Technical Theatre student has the opportunity to negotiate scheduling conflicts. Each conflict will be considered on an individual basis. In special circumstances, there may be opportunities for students to establish an alternative schedule to meet a 75-hour/3-credit course requirement. This would allow PVA Theatre Arts students to perform during one semester and be enrolled in Technical Theatre for the other. These situations must be discussed and approved in September.
PVA Performances
To purchase and view previous Theatre Arts productions, please visit our performance archive and follow the instructions.
Theatre Production History
Click these links to view photo galleries and more details about each production.
2019|20
Our spring productions, The Horse and and His Boy and Anne of Green Gables were cancelled due to Covid 19.
2010|11
2007|08
PVA Theatre Arts Alumni
Many graduates of the PVA Theatre Arts Program have gone on to post-secondary theatre programs or are currently pursuing professional careers. Alumni include:
– Los Angeles
- Acting – Sarah Swerid
Alberta Theatre Projects
Michael Dobbin Apprenticeship Program
- Griffin Cork, Quinn Contini, Sophia Schledt
Amercan Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York
- Victoria Kemp
Circle in the Square , New York
- Acting – Maddie McIvor
Company of Rogues Acting Studio
- Acting – Sean Allen, Bianca Caroca, Zach Forner, Kiera Janzen, Logan Lawrence, Issiah Sanghera, Kiana Wu
Guildford School of Acting, Guildford, UK
- Acting – Keelan McAuley
Mount Royal University
- Theatre Arts – Simon Tottrup, Robyn Ord, Samantha Braitenback, Shilo Clark, Amanda Davis, Steven Levy, Hannah Kerbes, Sydney Johns, Lindsay Mullen
- Tech Theatre – Kurtis Jones
National Theatre School
- Theatre Arts: Lauryn Allmany
New York University
- Elijah Dela-Rosa
Otterbein University – Westerville, Ohio
- Musical Theatre – Quinn Lazenby
Randolph College – Toronto
- Musical Theatre – Sophie Brown, Ali Froggat, Tessa Johns, Daniel Rousell
Seattle Pacific University
- Lauren Kelm
Sheridan College – Toronto
- Musical Theatre – Danica Dorais, Izaha Cochran
Southern Alberta Institute
of Technology
- Broadcasting – Ward Minty, Darcy Waters
St Mary’s University
- Psychology/Acting – Danielle McDougall
Sheridan
- Maddie Arnason, Nolan Brown
Simon Fraser University
- English/Theatre – Raitoning Petherick
Summerstock Calgary
- Choreographer – Jayme Ingram
University of Alberta
- Theatre – Claire Sonmor
University of British Columbia
- Drama – Jordan Johnston, Allison Gill
- Creative Writing/Acting – Kately Nikiforuk
University of Calgary
- Drama – Gabby Velasquez, Ahad Mir, Mark Kazakoff, Lyall Miller, Courtney Keene
- Drama Education – Sierra Hood, Andrew Simon
- BFA/Music and Drama – Amanda Dickson
University of Lethbridge
- Drama: Jesara Nichol
- Arts Education: Emma Norris
- Education/Drama: Sean Gillies, Tyler Grier, Jillian Poulin, Katie Winston
- BFA /Drama BED/ Drama Ed: Keifer Jennings
University of Utah
- Musical Theatre – Jill Bauer
University of Victoria
- Theatre: Kasia Brytan, Hannah Faber, Grace Fedorchuk, Parker Feenstra, Taylor Holding, Graham Miles, Becky Miner, Alex Moorman, Rachel Myers, Alex Plouffe
-
Vancouver Film School
Sam Armstrong, Trinity Chase
Viterbo University,
La Crosse, WI
- Musical Theatre – Gordie Beingesner
York University – Toronto
- Drama: Heather Love, Ali Froggat, Jayme Ingram
Vancouver Film School
- Acting/ Film BFA: Olivia Tarkovski