PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTION

School of Theatre

Lee Margaret Hanson
Creative Director of Theatre
leehanson@ccusd.org
[Room 108]

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The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Theatre department offers dynamic, experienced – based theatrical training. Students participate in collegiate level academic courses in Theatre History, Playwriting, Acting and Directing. Specialty performance-based courses include Voice, Movement, Shakespeare and Improvisation. Students interested in technical theatre are offered classes in Lighting and Set Design, Costuming, Makeup and Set Construction.

Culver City High School has two beautiful performances spaces: the newly renovated Robert Frost Auditorium, an 1100 seat proscenium stage; and The Studio Theatre, our intimate space that can be arranged in thrust, arena and fourth wall theatre. Our Blurred Vision Theatre Company produces two major productions each year where AVPA Theatre students take the lead on stage and in the technical areas. Mentored and taught by top professionals in their fields, our students are empowered as performing artists in all areas of theatre production. Our year culminates with “JAVA- GALA” and all –AVPA arts celebration at the Robert Frost Auditorium.

AVPA is a proud partner of “Front and Center,” a Culver City Arts Collaborative with SONY Pictures, The Center Theatre Group, We Tell Stories, The Actors’ Gang. Theatre students receive tickets to many performances at The Kirk Douglas Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum and The Ahmanson Theatre, followed by “talk backs” with directors, actors, playwrights and performers. Students take classes taught at The Actors’ Gang by resident actors, performing in their performance space at The Ivy Substation. Our partnership with The American Classic and Contemporary Theatre Company brings our students to staged readings three times each year at the Pico Playhouse where they experience the vitality of the written word on stage. And our participation with Comedy Sportz, High School League entertains audience with laughs through the art of improvisation! AVPA theatre majors also serve on the Student Advisory Boards of The Center Theatre Group and The Actors’ Gang.

Participating in statewide theatre festival finds AVPA theatre students preparing for the Fall DTASC Festival, the annual CETA festival and the Spring Shakespeare Festival. At each of these events, up to 2000 theatre students come together to perform for one another, attend intensive workshops and see wonderful theatrical productions. The collegiality and joy of theatre are shared by all! Students of all levels and talents are invited to audition. Come join us in AVPA Theatre – where “All The World’s A Stage!”

2025-2026 Performance Audition Information

What to prepare for the Fall Play Audition:
Please choose and memorize a 1-2 minute monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream to perform. There are dozens in this play to choose from. The left side of the page is the original Shakespearean text, and the right side is a contemporary translation for you.

When:
Tuesday September 2nd, 2025 - We will be holding individual audition slots from 3:45pm - 7:00pm in RM 108.

Wednesday September 3rd, 2025 - There will be a group movement callback scheduled for everyone on the Frost Stage from 2:15pm - 3:15pm.

**Please note all new and returning students must re-audition to be in the company this year. If you are only auditioning to be in the company and not A Midsummer Night's Dream. Please choose and memorize a 1-2 minute monologue of your choice to perform and sign up for a slot on Tuesday September 2nd, 2025.**

2025-2026 Live Events (Technical Theatre) Interview Information

Incoming and Second Year Students

When:
Wednesday August 29th (2:15pm - 4:30pm)

Where:
The Robert Frost Dressing Room

What to prepare:
Come ready to talk about yourself and what areas of technical theatre you are interested in. No experience necessary, we just want to get to know you.

Returning 3rd and 4th Year Tech Students

We will all meet as a group for a short meeting to touch base with you about the coming year. 

When:
Tuesday August 26th, 2025 (3:45pm - 4:15pm )

Where:
The Robert Frost Blackbox

No need to prepare anything.

PARENTS & GUARDIANS
Fill out the AVPA Theatre Parent Contact Form to be kept informed about activities and volunteer opportunities with AVPA!


Puffs 2024 Cast + Crew

Puffs 2024 Fall Play


Grease 2025 Cast + Crew + Orchestra

Grease 2025 Spring Musical


Testimonials