Theater
Theater
Discover how theater builds confidence, drives personal growth and sparks self-discovery.
Strengthen your technical and creative performance skills, develop your stage presence and learn how to captivate an audience.
Drama classes at Miss Porter’s School are your chance to develop your acting and improvisation skills while exploring all the backstage processes that bring theater to life. Along the way, you’ll expand your range as a performer and gain valuable leadership and technical experience that prepares you to excel on any stage.
Guided by our expert faculty, you’ll build diverse theater communication and management skills that will serve you far beyond the performing arts. As you advance, you’ll have the chance to collaborate closely with peers and faculty as part of a full-scale theater production. Our students are involved in every stage of these performances—from acting and directing to light, sound, costume and prop design. Wherever your passions in theater lie, you’ll have a meaningful role to play in shaping an engaging and professional-caliber performance.
“As the students develop confidence in themselves and their theater skills, it helps them explore who they are and who they want to be in the world once they leave Porter’s.”
Our theater coursework cultivates collaboration, community and creative inquiry.
In our Drama Studio: Stage and Film course, students explore how stories are brought to life on-screen and onstage. They also sharpen their skills as performers and behind the scenes.
Students navigate real-world challenges and opportunities in today’s film, television and theater industries through our Drama in the 21st Century course.
In our public speaking courses, students choose exercises and projects that help them grow into more effective communicators.
Students in our Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminar Play Production class take the lead, producing and performing a play of their choosing.
In our Drama Studio: Stage and Film course, students explore how stories are brought to life on-screen and onstage. They also sharpen their skills as performers and behind the scenes.
Recent Porter’s performances:
Alexandra London-Thompson, Theater Director
Alexandra London-Thompson is a Canadian-born theater director, educator and actress. She holds a BA from McGill University, a Postgraduate Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and an MA in Shakespearean Studies from The Globe Theatre and King’s College, London.
Her diverse career spans stage, film and television, with appearances on Nickelodeon and Fox. Alexandra’s leadership roles include serving as Executive Director of the Chilmark Community Center and Director of Children’s Programs for the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival.
At Miss Porter’s School (1999–2001, 2014–present), she directs the theater program and teaches drama and public speaking. Alexandra lives on campus with her son, Jasper.
