The Musical Theatre Program introduces students to the history and performance of musical theatre. Introducing a complete four-year curriculum in Musical Theatre focusing on history, vocal, dance, and acting techniques, SJCCA Musical Theatre prepares students for a career in Musical Theatre.
Our Evolving SJCCA Theatre/Musical Theatre Program
The SJCCA Theatre and Musical Theatre Program is evolving to adopt a more structured and comprehensive model. This new structure is designed to provide students with the highest quality instruction, increase performance opportunities, and maintain our program’s competitive edge among arts programs throughout Florida.
Pathway Requirements:
- Musical Theatre Pathway:
Students auditioning for the Musical Theatre pathway will be required to enroll in both Acting (Theatre) and Voice (Vocal Ensemble or Vocal Techniques) courses. This combination ensures students are receiving well-rounded training aligned with the demands of Musical Theatre. Students who have room for a third elective are strongly encouraged to audition for our Dance program and enroll in dance classes throughout high school to further enhance their skill set, though dance is not a formal requirement for the pathway.
- Theatre Pathway:
Students auditioning for the Theatre pathway will only be required to take Acting (Theatre) courses. This pathway focuses more intensively on dramatic performance, character development, and stagecraft.
Please note: If a student is not enrolled in both a voice class and an acting class, they are NOT considered part of the Musical Theatre pathway.
Course Rigor and Academic Advantages:
Both pathways offer honors-level courses that challenge students academically and artistically. The program culminates in the opportunity to earn AICE Drama credit, a prestigious international credential that benefits students in multiple ways:
- Weighted GPA boost for honors and AICE-level coursework
- Potential college credit or advanced placement (depending on university policies)
- Stronger college applications through a rigorous arts curriculum
- Development of transferable skills such as public speaking, collaboration, creativity, and leadership
Auditions and Performance Opportunities:
All students—regardless of pathway—will participate in a general audition process and have the chance to audition for our full season of plays and musicals. This ensures students are regularly exposed to live performance experience, ensemble collaboration, and stage confidence.
Maximizing Schedule Flexibility:
In the past, students eager to take additional SJCCA/Academy courses have chosen to complete their foreign language requirement online. This flexibility allows them to make room in their schedules for the full range of desired electives, deepening their involvement and growth within the arts.
Below is an outline of the expected course progression for each pathway.
Musical Theatre Pathway:
9th: Musical Theatre Dance AND Theatre 3 Honors
10th: Vocal Techniques AND Theatre 4 Honors
11th: Vocal Techniques AND Pre-AICE Drama
12th: Vocal Techniques AND AICE DRAMA AS
Theatre Pathway:
Students auditioning for Theatre pathways are placed in either the first or second track of classes:
TRACK 1 TRACK 2
9th: Theatre 3 Honors Theatre 4 Honors
10th: Theatre 4 Honors Pre-AICE Drama
11th: Pre-AICE DRAMA AICE DRAMA AS
12th: AICE DRAMA AS AICE DRAMA A