MCPS High schools with the top theatre programs?

[Anonymous]

My soon-to-be Einstein kid was excited to read that they have an extracurricular pit orchestra option. I thought that was pretty impressive, to have a live orchestra for a high school musical, but I realize now that I don't have a lot to compare it to.

Do any of the other MCPS high schools typically do live music with their musical theater productions? Any experience with Einstein's pit orchestra?

Blair has a live pit orchestra, at least for all of the shows I've been to.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Blair is THE theatre school in MCPS but it's a magnet program so you apply to get into the progra bm. I'm not sure if kids for whom Blair is their local school can take those classes as well. I assume so but am not sure.

What do you based this on, that Blair is THE school for theater, because i haven't heard this.

Blair theater program is a magnet program? Really?

I know someone who works in theater around here and said RM HS Black Mask group is really good.

This is Blair's magnet program. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/communication-arts.aspx

It focuses on the communications arts with a heavy dose of theatre. Many of the kids I know at the children's theatre I work at here in MoCo chose to attend the Blair magnet and almost all of them went on to study music/theatre in college.

I’ve been to Blair shows, and they were okay.

Blair has some great programs but it's theater is not a strong point. The annual Sankofa celebration gets more attention than the plays.

1+

Kinda funny watching Blair and W school parents trying to bend their schools around this topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My soon-to-be Einstein kid was excited to read that they have an extracurricular pit orchestra option. I thought that was pretty impressive, to have a live orchestra for a high school musical, but I realize now that I don't have a lot to compare it to.

Do any of the other MCPS high schools typically do live music with their musical theater productions? Any experience with Einstein's pit orchestra?

Blair has a live pit orchestra, at least for all of the shows I've been to.

Einstein's musicals always have live pit music; the jazz band is a little stronger than the school orchestra, but the school's music director, Mr. Kelly, is absolutely amazing to study under. Whether there is a live jazz band or a live orchestra depends upon the style of music in the musical. I've heard Blair's pit orchestra and was very impressed. I think that all MCPS high schools would have live pit music, but I can't say so for certain. One of the benefits of having the visual arts magnet at Einstein (VAC) is that the sets are really well done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Were you going to transfer legal guardianship to your family member in DC? Otherwise, it may land you in hot water...

Hello OP here,

Yes I am willing to transfer legal guardianship but I rather have my child with me. I just want to look into all the resources we have here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Were you going to transfer legal guardianship to your family member in DC? Otherwise, it may land you in hot water...

Hello OP here,

Yes I am willing to transfer legal guardianship but I rather have my child with me. I just want to look into all the resources we have here.

Please show integrity here. You are setting an example for your child and you have many good options in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to Blair shows, and they were okay.

No, they're AMAZING!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RM has a strong theatre group. My kids were not involved but I remember hearing that about 1/3 of the school is somehow connected to the shows. My kids were always enthused to attend. We enjoyed them as well.

+1 black maskers. Some really talented kids there. Several go on to major in theater.

their musical includes the full orchestra. RM also has IB theater.

[Anonymous]

Went to Northwood’s production of Little Shop last night and it is amazing what those kids are doing without an auditorium (shame on MCPS!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

I know this post is old but I believe some parents are just saying their child’s school but the high school with the top theatre program is Einstein. They have the prestige, awards, and the reputation to back it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

[Anonymous]

There is some weird misinformation on here, but these are the best MCPS high schools for theater:

Blake
Einstein

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who has a interest in theatre. We have a family member who lives in DC who offer to take him so he can be eligible for Duke Ellington but I rather use that as a last option. How’s Einstein or Blake’s programs?

Einstein’s program is best in county.

It's a good program but it's may or may not best. Best depends on the students and most are doing outside theater and music programs.

It’s the best. No MCPS high school program theater program can rival what Einstein S.T.A.G.E has accomplished. I know parents who brought homes near Einstein just so their child could be apart of it.

It's good, but it good because those students are in outside programs. Of course, other theater programs can rival. The new theater teacher is great and really working hard, but those great kids are doing outside programs and lessons just like other school bands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is some weird misinformation on here, but these are the best MCPS high schools for theater:

Blake
Einstein

Blake used canned music instead of a live pit orchestra. Even Sherwood uses a real pit!