PACIFICA ARTS
Pacifica’s visual and performing arts program has developed a curriculum and production history that makes a meaningful impact on students’ lives, and rivals any private high school on the westside of Los Angeles. Students have gone on to study theater, film, dance, and music performance in top colleges across the country—from USC to NYU—through the study of both foundational and contemporary work from the most important artists, poets, writers, and musicians.
PRACTICE | CREATION | EXHIBITION As our students practice their pitch in an arpeggio, examine the line quality
PACARTS features a rigorous curriculum taught by
of a master drawing, repeatedly rehearse a passage of choreography,
instructor-mentors who are engaged and active in
extrapolate the themes of a monologue, or determine the lighting for a
both classroom work and in their professional fields
cinematic shot, they are certainly learning skills for a discipline. But even
of studio art, dance, music, theater, and film.
more, they are gaining the keys to unlock an understanding of artworks from the infinite library of the past and future. Comprehension without
Students learn the fundamentals of both theory and
practice, however, is still incomplete.
technique and have the opportunity to create original works as solo artists and in collaboration with
By traversing this path of creation, our students have the opportunity to
others. The sharing of their work—before teachers,
grasp the entire process of artistry—wrestling with the experience of
classmates, and the larger school community—is
starting from nothing and learning to work through the development of
integrated as a vital part of the creative process.
an idea into a final piece to be shared with a community. Together with their peers, this wrestling and practice provide students with insight to
This cycle of practice, creation, and exhibition
better know God, themselves, and the world around them. As they explore
encourages the development and deepening of
beauty, truth, and goodness, they learn what it means to be fully human,
artistic skill, problem solving, and creative vision.
created in God’s image.
Winter Art Gallery
SCREEN Student Film Festival
Les Misérables
Most Improv(ed)
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Real Inspector Hound – Student-Directed One-Act Play
Film Production
Director of PACARTS / Theater BA Theater Arts Azusa Pacific University MA Apologetics, Liberty University
i.Sight Festival
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
TEACHING STAFF
NATE OVERBY
Dance Team
PACARTS is a special place where students are encouraged to learn new skills, work through the creative process, take risks, become more self-aware, and grow as creative problem solvers. Through dynamic hands-on instruction, students are mentored in the fundamentals of technique, practice, production, and performance from teachers who are working artists.
PACARTS COURSES PERFORMING ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
Theater Program
Film & Photography
INTRO TO THEATER
PHOTOGRAPHY DIGITAL PRODUCTION 1 DIGITAL PRODUCTION 2 DIGITAL PRODUCTION 3 DIGITAL PRODUCTION 4
Dance CO-ED DANCE
Music INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Co-Curriculars LIBERTY WORTH Visual Arts
SAM ANDERSON
Film & Photography
TEHILLAH ALPHONSO
BA Fine Art & Public Relations Pepperdine University
BA English Literature Yale University
BA Music USC
A Cappella Music
THEATER PRODUCTION IMPROV A CAPPELLA MUSIC DANCE TEAM
Visual Arts BEGINNING DRAWING + PAINTING MIXED MEDIA ADVANCED DRAWING + PAINTING
Special Programs PACARTS TRAVEL
Triennial Performances in Scotland, UK Edinburgh Fringe Festival
CARSON VANDERMADE Visual Arts
BA Fine Art Pepperdine University
VIOLET COMER Dance
ANDRES FIERRO Music
BA Film, Television & Digital Media BA Music Composition, Texas Christian University Conducting, Chapman University
SENIOR SEMINAR
For college-bound students seeking admission in special programs in Theater, Film, Design, or Studio Arts
PACARTS PRODUCTION SEASON THEATER 2 YEARLY PRODUCTIONS The performing arts are a vital component of our PACARTS program. All students are encouraged to experiment on stage at some point along their high school journey and receive experience and mentoring in the fields of acting, dance, music, and vocal performance. With two professional-level productions and several smaller showcases throughout the year, there are many opportunities for creative expression both before an audience and behind the scenes as a member of the technical crew. A selection of past stage productions include:
A CAPPELLA AT PACIFICA Pacifica’s award-winning a cappella ensemble, Wolf PACappella, is led by USC alum and Grammynominated artist Tehillah Alphonso. The program was founded in 2019 and gives students a place to hone their vocal and performance skills. The company celebrated a 1st place win at the 2022 ICHSA West semifinals, landing them a spot on stage to compete at the ICHSA finals in New York City. Closer to home, the group performs at many Pacifica gatherings including homecoming, commencement, the annual gala, and more.
Drama / Tragedy Mother Courage and Her Children
Caroline, or Change
Red Noses
In the Heights
Metamorphoses
Les Misérables
Comedy / Romance You Can’t Take It with You
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Misanthrope 1666 / 2010
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Stage Door
Hairspray Practice with Ms. Alphonso
Shakespeare / Sondheim The Taming of the Shrew
Into the Woods
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Sunday in the Park with George
Much Ado About Nothing
Anyone Can Whistle
Romeo and Juliet
West Side Story
Macbeth
Sweeney Todd
FILM SCREEN STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL Now in its 17th year, the Pacifica-produced SCREEN Student Film Festival has grown into one of the largest student film fests in Los Angeles. SCREEN receives hundreds of submissions annually from some of the best high school filmmakers in California and culminates in a red-carpet event at American Cinematheque’s historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
DANCE + MUSIC WINTER MUSIC + DANCE CONCERT
ICHSA National Finals in New York City
Pacifica’s dance department hosts the annual Winter Music & Dance Concert every year, displaying the best student and faculty choreography, and the rich talent pool of Pacifica dancers. The dance concert is open to all student dancers, choreographers, or collaborators whether they are enrolled in PACARTS dance classes or not. PACARTS musicians make an impact as composers and creative artists, routinely composing original scores for plays and films or contributing to i.Sight. Students from music classes perform year round as vocalists and instrumentalists, with performance opportunities such as the Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, chapel worship team, and Wolf PACappella. Graduates have gone on to top music programs such as CALARTS and UCLA, or as performers in the greater Los Angeles music industry.
STUDIO ART WINTER GALLERY
Wolf PACappella performs at Senior Night
The Winter Gallery is the studio art department’s annual signature event. Student artists install and publicly exhibit their best work from their Drawing and Painting, Mixed Media, and Photography classes. The show attracts a diverse crowd of students, parents, and local artists, while emphasizing engagement with the rich Los Angeles-based art scene.
PACARTS i.SIGHT FESTIVAL For 17 years and counting, i.Sight has put a spotlight on the best of PACARTS in a thematic and celebratory end-of-year showcase featuring art, dance, music, theater, spoken word, improv, and more. A gallery of student artwork is on display as original compositions and performances fill the stage for three inspiring nights. i.Sight is one of the most anticipated and well-attended events of the entire school year with over 70% of the student body contributing their creative gifts to the production.
Nate Overby Director of PACARTS noverby@pacificachristian.org 1730 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90403 Tel (310) 828-7015 Fax (310) 829-2063 www.pacificachristian.org
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