Upper School Arts
At the Upper School, students pursue their artistic ambitions along with their athletic and academic goals.
Our students do not have to choose between their artistic and athletic interests; they are free to pursue both at the same time. A dozen different arts courses comprise an integral part of the overall curriculum, and meet during the school day. This often requires customizing individual schedules so students who are taking AP or advanced level classes can also play in a jazz combo, develop their photography skills, or study the fundamentals of architecture. Rehearsals for extra-curricular theater productions are also purposely scheduled at specific times after school to eliminate conflicts with athletic practices, helping students balance their artistic interests with their academic and athletic pursuits.
Grade 9 Arts
Performing Arts Electives
- Dance Styles & Movement
- Dance Styles & Movement Advanced
- Dance Styles: Ballet
- Dance Styles: Tap
- Dance Movement: Choreography
- Integrated Theater Arts
- Musical Theater
- A cappella
- Chamber Orchestra
- Jazz Combos
- Private Lessons
Dance Styles & Movement
Dance Styles & Movement Advanced
Dance Styles: Ballet
Dance Styles: Tap
Dance Movement: Choreography
Integrated Theater Arts
Musical Theater
A cappella
Chamber Orchestra
Jazz Combos
Private Lessons
Visual Arts & New Media Electives
- Graphic Design I
- Graphic Design II, III
- Media Production
- Web Design
- Painting and Drawing I, II, III
- Photography I
- Photography II
- Photography III
- Pottery I
- Pottery II, III
- Yearbook Publication, Journalism & Design
Graphic Design I
Graphic Design II, III
Media Production
Web Design
Painting and Drawing I, II, III
Photography I
Photography II
Photography III
Pottery I
Pottery II, III
Yearbook Publication, Journalism & Design
Theater Productions
Fall Musical
The Fall Musical is an inclusive, highly engaging production with students creating a strong and cohesive theater spectacular while strengthening skills and forging strong social connections across all grade levels. Emphasis is always placed on the experience of the ensemble, and it is an ideal opportunity for anyone who would like to participate in a main-stage production. Rehearsals are scheduled around all of Thayer’s team sports, so students are able to play a fall sport and participate in the musical. With outstanding production values, and casts and crews that sometimes reach 100, the fall musical is one of the most popular programs at Thayer. Recent fall productions include Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and The Prom.
Winter Play
The Winter Play is a theatrical experience for students at Thayer who wish to strengthen their acting and performance skills in a more intimate ensemble setting. With a mixture of comedy, drama, classic and original plays, students have an opportunity to delve deeply into text and meaningfully connect with one another in performance. Recent productions include Into the Woods and Clue.
Spring Musical
The spring musical is for those students who wish to study both classic and contemporary musical theater in an intense, highly concentrated workshop experience. Enrollment priority is given to juniors and seniors, and those students with a serious desire to pursue musical theater at a pre-professional level. This production features a small ensemble (around 30 members) and may include works by Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Kander and Ebb, and other acclaimed writers and artists.