Drama
The Drama program gives students the full theatrical experience, on stage and behind the scenes — from acting and directing to sets, tech, and pit orchestra. There’s a place for every experience level, from the introductory Acting I class through the advanced Acting II company (known as Broken Box), and no one who wants to participate is turned away.
Director: Lisa Battle.
The classes
- Acting I (grades 9–12) is the introductory class, open to newcomers. Students build the fundamentals — physical theater, improvisation, and vocal projection and articulation — through scenes, monologues, and short plays, with an introduction to technical theater and design and trips to see live performances.
- Acting II (grades 10–12, by audition and director recommendation) is the advanced class — the theater company known as Broken Box. It works as a company all year, mounting full-length plays with tech weeks, dress rehearsals, and performances outside class. It’s an intense, rewarding commitment.
A year on stage
A typical season offers something for everyone:
- A fall play staged by the drama students
- Student-directed and one-act productions that put students in the director’s chair
- Acting class showcases, including performances our students bring to local elementary schools
- A spring musical — a major, full-department production with cast, crew, and a student pit orchestra — staged every other year (most recently in 2026; the next is expected around February 2028)
- A senior showcase to close out the year
Productions are supported by professional staff stipends and, for the musical, a hired accompanist, while students and parents handle much of the rest.
What the Boosters provide
Booster support helps fund production staff, sets and props, costumes, royalties, and the equipment that brings each show to life. Drama maintains its own program fund, directed by its teacher toward the needs of the students. Mounting the musical is ambitious — and growing parent involvement is key to making it sustainable.
Get involved
- Join the Drama Google Group for show dates, audition info, and volunteer sign-ups.
- Volunteer to help with set building, costumes, publicity, front-of-house, and more. A standing parent committee for the musical is a great way to make a big impact.
- Come to the monthly Boosters meeting on Zoom to hear from the director. The link is in the Google Group.
Support the program
Your tax-deductible gift directly supports our productions and the students who make theater happen at Los Altos.
Drama is supported through the Boosters’ Back-to-School campaign — choose Drama on the form when you give.