THE ASFA APPROACH

The Theatre Arts Department offers a unique pre-professional path for exceptional middle and high school students. Our curriculum is built to develop young artists who are dynamic, imaginative, and technically skilled, and who are prepared for success in college theatre programs and beyond.

Students train across multiple theatrical disciplines, including Acting for the Stage, Musical Theatre, Acting for the Camera, Directing, Scenic & Costume Design, Stage Management, and Theatre History. They receive a carefully sequenced plan of study designed to deepen technique, expand artistic curiosity, and build confidence.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (7th–8th Grade)

Middle school students engage in a powerful introduction to Acting and Musical Theatre through a daily extended training period focused on:

• Movement
• Singing & Musical Theatre Technique
• Acting
• Self-Expression & Ensemble Building

Classes are taught by ASFA’s award-winning faculty and visiting professional artists. The program culminates in an end-of-year showcase on one of our mainstage stages. Students who successfully complete 8th grade advance directly into the high school program without re-auditioning.

HIGH SCHOOL (9th–12th Grade)

Upon entering 9th grade, students begin an immersive four-year training sequence that is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the region. Guided by a team of exceptional educators and industry professionals, students explore performance, design, directing, and technical theatre.

At ASFA, students make the art. The department produces up to four mainstage or blackbox productions each year, along with student-directed one-acts, senior scenes, and additional showcases. Students perform, direct, design, build sets, create costumes, and run crews—gaining real-world experience across the entire ecosystem of theatre.

ASFA also hosts guest artists of regional and national acclaim for workshops and lectures, giving students direct access to working professionals from Broadway, film, and television.

The Theatre Arts Department at ASFA offers unique curricular paths for exceptional students at the middle and high school levels. ASFA Theatre Arts students have the opportunity to take classes in a wide range of theatrical styles and disciplines. Students receive a plan of study carefully devised to create highly trained, dynamic, and imaginative young people prepared for success at the next level.

Middle School

Students in the 7^th & 8^th grades receive an exciting program of self-exploration and rigorous technique in Acting & Musical Theatre. The middle school program is designed to lay the foundation for rigorous and comprehensive training for successful entrance into the 9^th grade. This program takes students through an extended specialty period each day of foundational courses in Movement, Singing, Acting, and Self-expression. These courses are taught by ASFA’s award-winning faculty and top professional teaching artists. Middle School students will have the opportunity to perform an end-of-year showcase in one of our mainstage theatres. Students who complete the 8^th grade successfully are not required to re-audition for entrance into high school.

            Middle School Curriculum

Theatrical Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting Self-Expression, Intro Acting for Stage/ Screen

High School

Students entering the 9^th grade are immersed in a comprehensive training program in Theatre Arts taught by a team of exceptional educators and theatre professionals. This program is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and allows students to find their area of passion and while challenging them to grow as artists, thinkers, and individuals. Every student who graduates from the Theatre Arts program will have had the chance to explore courses in Acting for the Stage, Musical Theatre, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Directing, Stage Management, and Acting for the Camera (plus many more).  Additionally, ASFA brings industry guests of regional and national acclaim to campus to present workshops and guest lectures, exposing students to industry-leading role models.

At ASFA, the students make the art. ASFA maintains a rigorous performance schedule of three mainstage productions. Students have the opportunity to perform and/or work-behind-the-scenes in all mainstage shows, senior directed one-acts, and showcases. At ASFA our students do it all: they build the sets, make the costumes, hang the lights, and perform the roles.

High School Four Year Sample Course Matriculation

9^th Grade: Theatrical Dance, Movement for Actors, Fundamental of Acting, Improvisation, Stage Craft, and Intro to Costume and Design.

10^th Grade: Voice and Speech, Role Analysis, Musical Theatre Workshop (taught by industry professionals), Design Fundamentals, Costume Design, Stage Management.

11^th Grade: Theatre History, Lighting Design, Costume Construction, Monologue Study, Musical Theatre Workshop II, Stage Combat, Acting for the Camera.

12^th Grade: Directing, Acting Styles, Advanced Screen Acting, Scenic Design, Advanced Theatrical Design & Sound Design.

What Do  ASFA Theatre Arts Alumni Do?

ASFA’s Theatre Arts graduates consistently earn spots in top-tier college and conservatory programs, with a strong track record of acceptances into prestigious musical theatre programs. Our alumni have gone on to train at institutions such as, Carnegie Mellon, NYU Tisch, University of Michigan, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

With rigorous training in acting, voice, and movement, our students graduate prepared to excel in the highly competitive world of theatre. Many have built successful careers in film and television, on national tours, and in major regional theaters, proving that ASFA’s Theatre Arts program provides the foundation for a bright future in the performing arts.

• Ajiona Alexus: Atlantic Records recording artist and actress, known for her roles in the Netflix hit series "13 Reasons Why,"  Tyler Perry’s “Acrimony,” and Will Packer's "Breaking In."
• Suzanne Collins: Author of "The Hunger Games"
• Ryan Jamaal Swain: Film & Television actor, "Pose," "Conframa," named a Forbes 30 under 30
• Chuck Yates: Award-winning artistic director and producer, theatre founder, screenwriter
• Aron Altmark: Lighting and production design Top 30 under 30 business owner and creative director of Visual Endeavors
• Erica Oyama: Emmy-nominated producer and screenwriter
• Colby Holman: Actor, "Fear the Walking Dead"
• Henry Washington, Jr.: Assistant Professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Wesleyan University

Application Overview

• Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are open and will close on January 23, 2026. 

• Applicants must create an account to access the full application and see department-specific requirements. 

• ASFA is a tuition-free public school for grades 7-12 in Alabama, serving students with exceptional talent in six specialty areas: Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, and Math-Science. 

• Admission is via application + audition process (or equivalent for non-performance specialties). Students should demonstrate both passion and aptitude for the chosen specialty.  

Click below for more information on the application process and how to apply.

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