Fall 2026 Theatre Arts Residency
Peak Theatre Arts residencies guide students through a three-stage learning progression. Students begin by developing foundational acting skills, move into writing and performing original scenes, and ultimately collaborate to create a student-devised theatrical production. Schools may participate in a single residency or build a multi-stage pathway depending on their goals and readiness.
Stagecraft
Stage 1
Trimester | 12-15 Weeks
Stagecraft introduces students to the core tools actors use to bring stories to life: voice, body, and imagination.
Through theatre games, improvisation, and ensemble exercises, students explore how actors create characters, build scenes, and collaborate with peers.
Students learn to:
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Create characters and situations through improvisation
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Use voice projection, articulation, and expressive movement.
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Apply stage directions and spatial awareness during performance
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Collaborate with peers to develop improvised scenes
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Respond creatively to audience suggestions and new ideas
Culminating Experience
Students perform an improvised ensemble scene, incorporating audience suggestions such as location, character, or situation while using voice, body, and imagination to bring the story to life.
Storyteller
Stage 2
Semester | 16-18 Weeks
In the Storyteller residency, students expand their acting skills by learning to develop and perform original stories.
Students explore character development, dialogue writing, and dramatic structure while collaborating in small groups.
Students learn to:
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Generate story ideas through collaborative brainstorming
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Develop characters with clear motivations and relationships
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Write dialogue that advances a dramatic scene
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Organize scenes using a clear beginning, middle, and end
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Rehearse and refine original work through peer feedback
Culminating Experience
Students write and perform an original 5-Beat Scene™, applying dramatic structure, character development, and collaborative storytelling.
Spotlight
Stage 3
Full School Year
| 30-32 Weeks
The Spotlight residency expands student storytelling into a multi-scene theatrical production.
Students work as an ensemble to develop characters, write connected scenes, and bring a larger narrative to life through rehearsal and performance.
Students learn to:
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Develop complex characters and dramatic relationships
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Structure stories across multiple connected scenes
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Apply staging, blocking, and rehearsal techniques
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Collaborate within an ensemble to refine performance
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Present a cohesive theatrical production for an audience
Culminating Experience
Students perform a student-devised multi-scene production, applying the storytelling, acting, and collaboration skills developed throughout the residency pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trusted by Community Organizations
“The impact of our partnership has been both on my agency CII and the Echo Park/Pico Union community for the following reasons. Students shared an interest and the importance of having a space where they can feel safe, heard and understood besides the academic places already offered. Bringing this program to Dalzell Lance helped CII get closer to closing the gap of lack of arts in the school and giving students the opportunity to continue to nourish an interest of theirs. I have seen first hand the passion and dedication that our students have had since joining the program. The work and support Ms. Jessica provided to the kids during the past couple of months have helped students work on adding more magic to their resumes.”
Lasem Puerto
Children's Institute, Inc.
Community School Partnership Manager