Theater Arts
Dramatic & Musical Theater Arts
Welcome to Theater Arts! This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of acting, theater history, scriptwriting, and stagecraft. Through various activities such as improvisation, scene work, public speaking, and group performances, students will develop their creativity, confidence, and collaboration skills.
Course Objectives:
- Develop an understanding of basic acting techniques.
- Explore different styles and genres of theater.
- Learn about the history of theater and its cultural significance.
- Improve communication, public speaking, and team-building skills.
- Participate in performances and demonstrate learned skills in a live setting.
Dramatic & Musical Theater Arts 2025-2026 Syllabus
Beyond The Classroom:
The Teacher
Latifa Hinds is a Theater Arts educator based in New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University-Newark and has a degree in Theater Art with a Minor in Social Justice. She started her teaching career during college, giving free acting classes to students during the pandemic as an extracurricular. This inspired her to go into education as she saw the joy that theater brought to students and how she was able to give back to her community through an art form she loves. She taught at Lincoln Park Middle School in Newark, NJ as a performing arts teacher. While at LPMS she directed “The Wiz,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “In the Heights,” and “L to the M to the M.” She also founded the drama club where students were able to explore their theatrical talents in a more advanced form. She taught in Maplewood at Rocket Improv as an improv instructor for students from 3rd-12th grade. She is now in her third year at Whitney E. Houston Academy. Since being here she has put on “Little Shop of Horrors,” done stage readings, directed student written plays, and much more. Her primary goal is to make sure the students are well rounded performers who are able to create, analyze, and perform their texts. Ms. Hinds also serves as the Assistant Cheerleading Coach for the East Orange Jaguars Cheer Team. She pushes her students to be leaders throughout the school and thinks one of the most important qualities a performer should have is integrity.