This coming fall, drama teacher Jennifer Saigeon will be introducing a new exploratory theatre class for her students.

“There’s so many students right now who are interested in doing their own projects, and it’s awesome, and I want to make sure that I harness that energy, so we’re working on doing a professional drama class next fall.”

According to Saigeon, though beginning drama is a prerequisite, the class is open to students with various interests in theatre.  

“People can be interested in set design, they can be interested in acting, they can be interested in publicity, they can be interested in a whole bunch of it,” Saigeon said.”They’re going to put their hands in all of it, and see what is the most exciting for them.”

Advanced Drama student Amy Santana believes taking the class could help broaden her perspective as a performer.

“I think even if I were to just to pursue the acting side of the theatre career, it’s always good to understand the other side of the story and know what the director’s going through and know what all the people that are helping put the show together and other aspects [are going through.]” Santana said. “It makes you a lot more appreciative.”

Saigeon hopes the class will result in student driven work and self motivated progress.

“I think the biggest thing is that students are driving the program, and that is always what I have wanted to have happen,” Saigeon said. “So, if they’re coming in and writing original pieces, and then they’re producing those pieces, they’re casting themselves in those pieces, they’re directing their rehearsals: they’re driving all of that, and they’re learning so much in the process. That’s what I hope comes out of all of this.”

For more information on how to join the professional theatre class, check out the online course catalog on Roseville High School’s website.