Drama

Drama Curriculum

Overview
The Ipswich Public School system has a fine tradition of involving its students in stage performances with annual theme-based, grade-level concerts. During the preparation and performance of these shows, students learn the basics of stage presence, diction, singing, and dancing.

Middle School

The Ipswich Middle School theater faculty team, under the direction of Jill Hasselbacher together with Mr. Patch, provides students with a comprehensive drama curriculum culminating in a theatrical production.Theater vocabulary, character development, acting, singing, backstage crew demands, choreography, set design, costuming, props, lighting, sound, program, and publicity are covered while preparing for performance.

A dramatic performance occurs in October and the middle school musical is performed in February/March. In addition, Middle School students are welcome to audition for the chorus roles in the High School’s annual musical production. Middle School Drama is part of a continuing theater curriculum, preparing students for the high school drama program.

James and the Giant Peach Jr.

Peter Pan Jr. Fall 2017

High School

Theater education at the Ipswich High School includes our drama club, The Company, which performs fall and spring productions (with a musical at least annually). The Company has also participated in one-act plays for the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild festival competition. Festival entries have won several hundred individual acting and technical awards, and have progressed to the semi-final level of competition ten times and to the state finals once. Any student can join The Company as an actor, technician, crew member, or usher, and does not need to “do” every show to remain a member. New members are always welcome.

The Company’s production of Fiddler on the Roof was one of the top ten shows chosen in the 2006 inaugural year of the North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Awards, with nominations for Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Musical Direction, Best Ensemble Chorus, Best Show, and a win for Best Featured Actor. In 2007, The Wizard of Oz received nominations for Best Leading Actor, Best Orchestra and Best Costume Design. In August of 2007 The Company performed Euripides’ THE TROJAN WOMEN at the American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, part of the prestigious annual Fringe Festival. In 2008, CAROUSEL earned North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Award nominations for Best Musical Director and Best Featured Actor.

Students of all high school grade levels can elect Introduction to Drama, followed by Advanced Drama. Both courses involve script study, monologue and scene work, and some technical theater training. They can also elect Technical Theater; a blend of script study, dramaturgy, design, and technical skills complemented by hands-on work in set construction, lighting, sound, and costuming.

Graduates of Ipswich High School have been accepted to drama programs at such diverse and prestigious fine art schools as Emerson College, Boston University’s School of Fine Arts, New York University, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

A Chorus Line - 2018

Into the Woods - 2017

Almost, Maine - 2016

Photos from the final dress rehearsal
Posted by IMADA on Thursday, January 28, 2016

See Past Productions Slide Shows:

IHS Productions:

The 2015 Ipswich High School Production of Godspell

2014- Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music:

IMS Productions:

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

The 2016 Ipswich Middle School Production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

The 2015 Ipswich Middle School Production of Guys & Dolls.
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council