Theatre

Bishop Chatard Theatre Program

At Bishop Chatard High School, students take an active role in producing quality theatre productions. Students have the opportunity to audition for four performances a year. Students are not required to be enrolled in a theatre class to audition.

Student productions are held in the Kyle Guyton Theatre — a black box style theatre opened in 2016 — or the main gymnasium. Auditorium-style seating transforms the gymnasium into a theatre setting for the Fall and Spring productions. Reserved seating for many BCHS productions is available via our website.

BCHS Theatre Department

Holly Stults

Theatre Director

hstults@bishopchatard.org

Tristan Zavaleta

Assistant Theatre Director, Theatre I teacher

tzavaleta@bishopchatard.org

Theatre Courses

• Theatre Arts I and II
• Theater Improv
• Technical Theatre and Design
• View Full Course Description

Our Performances

Fall Play
The first play of the year, the Fall Play is usually performed in October in the main gym. It is a straight (non-musical) production. Cast size is normally between 8 and 20 students.

Senior-Directed One-Act Plays
Seniors have the opportunity to pair up and submit a published one-act play for performance. The duo then takes the role of director. They audition fellow students, create and run a rehearsal schedule, and direct the chosen piece. The One Acts are performed three times in a day in what has been lovingly called, “The Day of Ridiculousness.” Play submissions are due in September, auditions are held the Tuesday after the Fall production, and the One Acts are usually performed the first Saturday in December in the Kyle Guyton Theatre.

Spring Musical
All hands are on deck for the largest production of the school year. The musical auditions at the end of first semester and starts rehearsing the first week of 2nd semester. The musical is performed before Spring Break.

New Play Festival
Students interested in participating in the New Play Festival submit a new work, written by them in January. After being approved by a panel, the playwrights have the option to direct their own piece or interview a director. Similar to the Senior-Directed One Acts, students run auditions and rehearsals to produce the original works. Plays are produced the end of April or the first week of May in the Kyle Guyton Theatre. Join us and see how creative our student thespians are!

Tech Crew

Not an actor? Not a problem! There are a variety of ways students can be a part of the Bishop Chatard Theatre Experience.

Thespian Society

To be a member of the Thespian Society, a student must acquire 10 points. Students can do so by being involved in Bishop Chatard’s two productions, the Fall Play and the Spring Musical, either by acting or working on the crew. We welcome anyone to audition or apply for a crew position! The Society tries to see an outside production at least once a semester. This and other shows outside of BCHS-sponsored activities also apply towards a student’s admission into the society.

Speech Team

Bishop Chatard launched its Speech Team in the 2016-2017 school year.
The Speech Team focuses on helping students to build speaking and writing skills. Those involved in the club will have two hour practices and compete in meets on Saturdays. The practices can be scheduled after school or before school during zero time. The team has two meets a month from October-March, minus the holiday break.

“Joining the team will help students improve their memorization, improvisation, reading, writing, and speaking skills. This can lead to better grades in high school, a more successful college experience, and a better career path. Someone who can speak with authority and eloquence will always enjoy an advantage.” Interested?
Speech Team Information

Improv Comedy Team

The Improv Team competes with other schools during the spring, using ‘short form Improv’ as well as other ‘long form’ Improv activities. Besides teaching teamwork and having fun, improvisation develops performance skills that can carry over in many life situations.
Read more about the Improv Comedy Team

Theatre Boosters

Mentorship Program

Bishop Chatard is looking for adults willing to serve as volunteer mentors on the technical side of our theatre program. We need moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or BCHS alumni and loving neighbors willing to give guidance and structure, to collaborate with student leaders and to be an adult presence on large group work days.

Mentorship Opportunities

Hair and Make Up
Is cosmetology your profession or passion? Did you raise daughters with flowing locks or difficult curls? Or have you just been wearing make-up long enough that you are a self-taught expert? We need you!
Marketing, Advertising, Editing, Dramaturgy
Is publishing part of your professional resume? Are you a fanatic about fonts? Have an eye for layout? Do you have a killer instinct for a split infinitive? Are you a History buff? We need you!
Paint Crew
Does your profession require an artistic knowledge or expertise? Did you study art in college? Are you one of those blessed people who have always been able to work magic with a paint brush? Is painting your hobby? Do you have tricks of the trade on perspective and color? Can you give insight into the right use of right tools? We need you!
Lights and Sounds
Are you employed in the visual media or recording industry? Were you a tech guy or gal in your high school or college theatre programs? Has your passion for photography or videography given you an eye for lighting? We need you!
Just like to help?
If you have no technical theatre expertise (that you know of) but would like to be more involved with the students and the production of our shows, we need you too!

If you or someone you know would be a good mentor to help our program grow and flourish, or if you would like to know more about the time required for each mentoring role, please contact sheila gramling at sheilagramling@aol.com.

Please note: All volunteers who work with students must pass the Archdiocese Safe Parish program and a school background check.
View Safe Parish Training Information