Lakeside School

Students experience an in-depth approach to acting technique with an emphasis on understanding and practicing three major concepts: given circumstances, action or intention, and character development. Also in focus are other parts of the theater arts process including playwriting, directing, and dramaturgy (research). Students apply their skills to monologues, scenes, improvisation, and acting for the camera. This class is for 9th-grade students only, whether they are beginners or have experience. This course is non-repeatable for credit.  

Full-year course

Prerequisites: None

This course is open to all students: no previous experience necessary. Students learn to apply a design process to a range of theater performance projects. A major focus is transforming designs into the physical productions that present stories to an audience in an engaging manner. Through the execution of design elements, students learn a wide range of production techniques, including graphic design, set design, key aspects of stage carpentry, electrical systems, public address and recording techniques, live theater sound, and special effects. This may include techniques particularly useful in presenting programs remotely. We also design and construct stage props, makeup, and costumes needed for each show. Students are required to participate in running crews for some evening performances presented by the arts department. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: None 

Concert choir is a non-auditioned singing ensemble for students in grades 9-12. All levels of singing experience are welcome. Students learn and perform music in two or more parts. Students build skills in healthy singing technique, vocal independence, music literacy, ear training, and sight singing. The choral repertoire changes from year to year. Students can expect to be introduced to a variety of musical genres, time periods, composers, song subject matter, and languages. Advanced students have opportunities to sing small ensemble music, audition for solos, participate in honor choirs, and serve as section leaders and/or student conductors. This course is repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: None

This is a non-auditioned ensemble for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Piano and harp may be considered. Harp players need to provide their own instrument. All students should have a minimum of one year of experience in school orchestra, community ensemble, or equivalent. Students build technical skill on string instruments and musical independence through study of masterworks, new compositions, and chamber music. The ensemble studies a variety of musical genres, time periods, composers, and styles. The string orchestra has the opportunity to join forces with the concert band to form a full symphony orchestra. This course is repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: One year of experience in school orchestra, community ensemble, or equivalent

This is a non-auditioned ensemble for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Piano players may request approval to join if they are willing to learn percussion. No auditions is required, although students should have a minimum of one year of experience in school band, community ensemble, or equivalent. Students build technical skills, improve musicianship, and explore music theory and music history. The ensemble learns music from a variety of genres, time periods, composers, and styles. This course is repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: One year of experience in school band, community ensemble, or equivalent

This course is for saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, piano, trumpet, and trombone. Please note this ensemble has limited space for all instruments, and students may be asked to provide a recorded sample of them playing to determine placement. All interested students are encouraged to select this course as first choice, and the instructor will provide more information on placement in early April. The purpose of this course is to experience the joy and beauty of jazz through performance. Students will develop musicianship skills on their instruments and learn jazz-specific styles. In addition to learning jazz band repertoire, they will learn basics of music theory, jazz improvisation, and ear training. Students perform music that represents both the history and present incarnation of this American art form. This course is repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: One year of experience in school band, community ensemble, or equivalent

This course is designed to help students develop and refine their technical skills with drawing and painting while also embracing the creative process, including idea development, iteration, experimentation, and risk-taking. Students will gain a foundation of knowledge applicable to a wide range of subject matter and styles using a variety of mediums such as graphite, charcoal, watercolor, and acrylics. Project examples include portrait color studies, landscape paintings, and abstract still-life drawings. Specific topics covered include observational drawing techniques, design fundamentals, color theory, and linear perspective in connection with subjects including still life, portraiture, landscape, and abstraction. Additionally, students will be exposed to artwork and methods from artists around the world as they gain a wider perspective of what is possible and acquire greater confidence looking at and talking about works of art. All projects can be differentiated to meet students where they are, and this class is designed to challenge students from all backgrounds and prior experiences. No experience is necessary. This introductory-level course lays the groundwork for more in-depth and personalized pursuits at the intermediate and advanced levels. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course 

Prerequisites: None

This class is designed to expose beginning students to the creative and technical aspects of photography while establishing a solid foundation in the roots of artmaking, self-expression, and creative problem-solving. Students work with digital cameras and will gain a solid grounding in camera controls and image adjustment while learning to appreciate the role that composition, design, color, and light play in the visual arts. Students will learn contemporary and historical photographic techniques, digital editing software (Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop) and file management, and how to use a camera as a tool for creative self-expression. Students will have opportunities to exhibit and showcase their photography and learn to use a continuously evolving catalog of digital tools to share their artwork. Cameras are available for student use, though some students may prefer their own cameras. This course is non-repeatable for credit.

Full-year course 

Prerequisites: None

Ceramics and sculpture is a course that teaches students clay working skills, no matter what their experience level. Students learn many ways to create sculpture and functional art including coil, pinch, slab construction, and beginner pottery wheel methods. Students will learn through hands-on projects and teacher demonstrations. Project examples include cups, vases, animal sculptures, face jugs, creative jars, and creative candle holders. Beyond clay working, students build skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, and embracing learning through process. Throughout the year, students are exposed to historical and contemporary art and artists from around the world. During each unit, students are encouraged to make selections and follow their personal interests. Students have at least one opportunity to showcase their work on campus. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: None

Students will produce original beats and explore genres of their choosing including hip hop, chill step, electronic, pop, and more. Critical listening practice will help students to grow in their understanding of how music is made, and how to trace the historical influences of songs they love. A core element of the class will be to study the lineage of contemporary popular music and the dramatic impact of Black American music on nearly every genre. Projects are presented at the end of the semester in a “release” session and students will compile a portfolio of original ideas and sketches. No musical experience or training required. Topics include song concept development, song structure, MIDI instruments and sampling, verse and chorus differentiation, and how to mix using tools such as EQ, compression, and filters. This course is non-repeatable for credit.

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors

Students experience in-depth exploration of theater movement/dance, improvisation, writing for the stage, directing, and acting. An emphasis is placed on creating a strong ensemble that works together on several projects including directing and design, picture-inspired monologue writing/performing, and one-minute film making. We will be fully engaged in disciplined rehearsal as well as having several in-class performance opportunities. This class is for 10th-grade students only. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year Course

Prerequisites: Drama I, or permission of the department

Students expand on previous theater production knowledge and experience through the general production process and specific personal projects. Emphasis will be on strengthening design skills and creative puzzle-solving, including practical projects in graphic design, set design, theater lighting, and sound design. Students will be scheduled with regular sections of theater production I. Students will be supported in joining a running crew for at least one major performance. Intermediate students are expected to provide leadership for introduction to theater production students, and are required to participate in running crews for some evening performances presented by the arts department. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Introduction to theater production and design 

In this course, students continue to build their painting and drawing skills while going into greater depth as they strive to create more original, meaningful projects and tackle larger, more ambitious pieces. In projects such as the “Larger Than Life” charcoal portrait, they are encouraged to connect their personal experiences, passions, and interests to project prompts while pushing their technical skills to new heights. Students will examine ways artists have embraced technology throughout history and embrace tools, such as Photoshop and Procreate, to build original source images and scale up their ideas. In addition to building on previous skills with graphite, charcoal, ink, watercolor, and acrylic painting, students will begin working with oil paint. As the year progresses, they are given greater freedom to develop their ideas. Their experience culminates with an independent exploration in oil paints where students practice idea development, planning, and execution. This course is the groundwork for more independent pursuits at the advanced levels of painting and drawing.

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Introduction to drawing and painting 

Intermediate photography takes students on a deeper dive into the world of photographic artmaking. Through the continued study of technical skills and conceptual ideas, students will explore and develop their own personal style. Intermediate photography takes an in-depth look at creative self-expression and visual storytelling through the lens of the camera. Project examples include Exploring Spaces / Changing Perceptions, On Site Portraiture Project, and Faceless Self Portraits. Digital and darkroom photography techniques will be explored in this class. Students will learn the complexities of studio and on-location photoshoots, lighting techniques, and more complex editing and printing using Adobe Creative Cloud. Students will have at least two opportunities to exhibit and showcase their photographs on campus. This course is non-repeatable for credit.  

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Introduction to photography

This course teaches students higher-level clay working skills beyond what is learned in introduction to ceramics and sculpture. Students take on bigger challenges and work on a larger scale with more independence while refining their skills for creating sculpture and functional art including coil, pinch, slab, and new pottery wheel methods. Project examples include sculpture teapots, creative vases, large-scale pots, and figurative or abstract sculpture. Throughout the year, students are exposed to historical and contemporary art and artists from around the world. During each unit, students are encouraged to follow their personal interests, explore cultural connections, and make meaningful artwork. Beyond clay working, students build skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, and visual communication. Students have at least two opportunities to showcase their work on campus. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Introduction to ceramics and sculpture

This course provides advanced instructions in the craft and profession of dramatic arts for juniors. Specific areas of focus include an actor's approach to Shakespeare, acting styles, movement and stage combat, audition techniques, and opportunities to develop original work and gain directional experience. Major projects include performance of Shakespeare scenes, choreographing and performing stage-combat scenes, clowning, writing scenes in the narrative theater style based on novels and devising work created by the ensemble. This class is for 11th-grade students only. This course is non-repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Drama II, or permission of the department 

Students taking this course will explore special topics in theatrical design that hone their skills in dedicated design areas. Open to juniors and seniors who have already completed two years of theater production and design. Students enrolled in special studies in theater production and design will assist in leading groups of students in production tasks and be given personally curated creative assignments to develop their technique and distinct voice as a theatrical designer. This course is repeatable for credit. 

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Advanced theater production and design 

In this class, students learn to think like artists, exploring drawing and painting while learning through the creative process. Students will develop unique artistic responses to thematic project prompts, and they are encouraged to connect their ideas to personal interests, experiences, and passions. They will practice idea development through research, sketching, and planning, then take on ambitious finished projects that draw upon and challenge their technical skills with a wide range of materials. They will have access to all traditional drawing and painting mediums as well as exposure to digital tools like Procreate. As the year progresses, they are given greater latitude to choose materials and processes they are interested in to prepare them for greater independence in advanced drawing & painting II. In the spring, students will create a small body of work connected to a chosen theme. These works could be further developed into a supplemental portfolio for college admissions. For seniors with strong performance throughout their time in the arts program, a senior showcase of select projects made during their senior year may be part of the experience, granted approval from the visual arts department faculty.

Full-year course 

Prerequisites: Intermediate drawing and painting 

At the advanced level, students have a working knowledge of technical aspects of digital and traditional photography. This class allows students the freedom to explore aspects of photography and artmaking that are meaningful to them, while working closely with the instructor who will help guide them towards more sophisticated artmaking. Students will develop personal projects that investigate visual storytelling and creative self-expression, while examining the community and their place within it. Students will begin to focus on self-directed, in-depth, multiple-image photography projects. For seniors with strong performance throughout their time in the arts program, a showcase of select projects made during their senior year may be part of the experience granted approval from the visual arts department faculty. This course is non-repeatable for credit.

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Intermediate photography

This class is for third-year ceramics and sculpture students who would like to continue to develop creative and expressive aspects of their artwork. Throughout the year, students have a high level of creative freedom and they are provided with a fun yet challenging curriculum to learn from. Project examples include large pots for plants, symbolic animal sculpture, expressive human portrait busts, wheel-thrown water fountains, large-scale vessels, and living fish bowl ecosystem. During the second semester, students learn to work independently on self-assigned projects while exploring materials of their own choice. Students gain access to 3D clay printers, digital modeling software such as ZBrush Core and Potterware, and traditional materials such as clay, wire, plaster, and wood. This class prepares students to thrive in advanced ceramics and sculpture II and provides an opportunity to get started on a supplemental portfolio of artwork for college applications. Students will have three or more opportunities to exhibit and showcase their artwork. For seniors with strong performance throughout their time in the arts program, a showcase of select projects made during their senior year may be part of the experience granted approval from the visual arts department faculty. This course is non-repeatable for credit.

Full-year course

Prerequisites: Intermediate ceramics and sculpture