About us
We are the Oak Ridge High School Theatre Boosters, dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in our community. Our mission is to provide opportunities for our amazing Oak Ridge High School student performers and technical artists to showcase their talents and develop their skills.
OR Theatre Classes & Extracurriculars
Oak Ridge High School Theatre Arts Department
Elective Class Information
Classes Offered to Everyone:
Theatre 1 (#0620): Learn the foundations of theatre and stage performance class, where you will get the opportunity to perform theatre styles such as puppetry, pantomime, monologue, scenes, and one acts! This class is great for students who want to become more comfortable with talking in front of people, gaining confidence, and working in a collaborative setting, all while becoming better actors! No previous experience in theatre or performance is required!
Additional Theatre Pathway Classes (4 Year Pathway with Graduation Cord)
Advanced Theatre (#0621): Continuation class of Theatre 1. Need to pass Theatre 1 with a C or better (or have teacher approval). Students learn more specific acting techniques and focus on the dramatic side of acting in this class. Students will have field trip opportunities to the Lenaea High School Theatre Festival in Folsom and to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. This is a class students can take 3 times, with differing curriculum and activities each year. Unit focuses can include Shakespeare, Directing, Audition Workshops, Callback Workshops, and the One Act Festival. Students are required to complete 20 service hours a semester (participation in fall/spring production or other ORHS Performance based activities including choir, band, and dance)
Theatre Technology & Production (#0625): Continuation class of Theatre 1 or with teacher approval after being on tech crew for both the Fall & Spring production. In this class you learn the backstage world of theatre. Learn how to build sets, design lights, sound, and costumes, and gain valuable hands-on experience with carpentry, problem solving, and teamwork. Students are required to complete 20 service hours a semester (participation in fall/spring production or other ORHS Performance based activities)
Extracurricular Performances
The Oak Ridge Theatre Arts Department produces two mainstage productions per year: one musical in the Fall and one play in the Spring. Auditions are open to all students on campus, and you do not need to be enrolled in a performing arts class to audition or apply for our tech crew positions.
Kate Rolls
Oak Ridge High School Theatre Program Director
Sykes Rolls
ORHS Theatre Mascot
Ms. Rolls is in her ninth year as teacher and director of the Theatre Department at ORHS. Previous shows at Oak Ridge as director include Chicago (2026 Sara Bareilles Fan Favorite Award Winner), 12 Angry Jurors, Noises Off, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, Clue, Rock of Ages, The Odd Couple, Les Miserables, Grease, and We Will Rock You. Previous shows as a student/volunteer include Little Shop of Horrors, All Shook Up, and Noises Off. In the last 10+ years, Rolls has also worked as a Head Electrician at Harris Center for the Arts and as a freelance lighting designer for Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet and El Dorado Musical Theatre, lighting annual productions of The Nutcracker and EDMT's high voltage cabarets. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her parents and going to Kings games.
After being lovingly rescued in October 2020, Sykes was a staple of the Oak Ridge Theatre, and is officially its mascot! Sykes's favorite theatre activities included helping out at set builds, walking in paint, and performing in cameo roles on stage! Sykes appeared in the closing performances of Clue: On Stage and Noises Off, both surprise appearances to our audiences! He enjoyed coming to rehearsal because he knew he would get lots of tummy rubs from the performers and chased around the audience. When not at rehearsal, his grandpawrents, Gita & Jonathan, looked after him and spoiled him as only the best grandpawrents do! He loved his two besties, Gucci & Moxie, and adored his mum, Ms. Rolls.
ORTAB BOARD
The ORTAB Board is committed to supporting Theatre Arts at Oak Ridge through fundraising efforts, ticket sales, show promotion, and more. We invite you to join us as an ORTAB member or future Board Member. For more information, contact us at ortaboost@gmail.com
