DP Theatre and Company
IB Theater, Diploma Program
IB Diploma Program Theater is a two year, multifaceted theater-making course of study…
It emphasizes the importance of working individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process, transforming ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists. Scholars experience the course from contrasting artistic perspectives. They learn to apply research and theory to inform and contextualize their work. During the course, scholars will be required to attend two professional theater performances in class field trip excursions. In addition, DP scholars will attend Odyssey performances at a special scholar rate for tickets, or they may attend free if they volunteer to help with ushering and lobby preparation/performance production. Our studies and experiences both in and outside the classroom will help scholars gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world through the processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting as participants and reflective audience members.
Through the study of theater, scholars gain an awareness of their own personal and cultural perspectives while developing an appreciation of the diversity of theater practices, processes, and modes of presentation. Scholars will discover and engage with different forms of theater across time, place, and culture and gain international-mindedness.
For the latest productions and events, visit the IB Diploma Program Studies, Shakespeare and Musical Theater Performance page:
Will Power
In November, 2013, the United States of America sent a young troupe of actors from Odyssey Institute, a charter school in Buckeye, Arizona, to the United Kingdom to perform on a London Stage. After going through the application process, this group of young actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts and their directors became the very first school from the United States ever to be invited to perform in the largest dramatic festival in the world! They were also the only school out of one thousand that year to perform Shakespeare’s controversial comedy, The Taming of the Shrew.
What was the result? A standing ovation, a brilliant review by a professional, London stage director, and an invitation to return November, 2014 to perform our unique, 1920’s rendition of Romeo & Juliet. This time, the festival coordinator put us on two stages in London. We were now not only the only school from the United States to perform in the festival, we also became the only school that was ever invited to perform twice in two different professional venues. Once again, we received glowing reviews by professional London stage directors and two standing ovations at The Abbey Theater in St. Albans, and The Albany Theater in Deptford.
In 2015, we were invited to perform Macbeth in a theater in Inverness, Scotland. We had expected to receive a sponsorship to help our scholars make their way to perform from a private donor, but that sponsorship did not come to fruition. The cast worked incredibly hard, so the news about the sponsorship was quite devastating, but it did not in any way affect their strong commitment to their craft. As a result of their dedication, the Festival directors invited us to send a film of our performance so that we could still participate remotely. This time, we received a glowing written review complimenting our cast on strong performances and ensemble chemistry.
In 2016, we were invited again, and worked hard to fundraise our way to London to perform our modern, hipster version of Much Ado About Nothing in November. Finally, we returned again in 2018 with William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, which we presented as a beautiful, fairy tale like musical, and were fortunate to tour part of England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. After a long two years of darkened theater stages all over the world, the Festival opened once again, and we were invited to present our very unique dance infused performance of the one that started it all for us: The Taming of the Shrew. Going forward, we have earned an open invitation to the Shakespeare Schools Festival, due to the incredible talent and commitment of our scholar performers, and the high quality of our productions. We now travel in the odd years, and are in rehearsals for Much Ado in ‘42, our “big band and swing” dance interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing for 2025!
William Shakespeare has brought a new and vibrant light into our high school. He has our scholars excited about stories, drama and bringing timeless characters to life on stage. This opportunity has not only strengthened our performing arts program at The Odyssey, but it is also creating a culture for the arts in the West Valley that is sure to have a strong
impact on future generations.
We never want to have financial struggles be a barrier to our scholars if their desire to grow in our performing arts program is passionate. It is our goal to make this opportunity available to all scholars, regardless of their financial situation at home. The art of theater and performing is such a powerful expression for youth, and we believe that offering our scholars the chance to perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and throughout the year on our stage will give them a powerful voice and help them uncover gifts they may have never known they had inside.
Will Power is always searching for corporate and business sponsors to help us make this incredible opportunity a reality, and secure new patrons of the arts for our young actors in Arizona’s West Valley. Your tax deductible donation will not only help send young actors to perform on the London stage and represent our state and our country abroad, but it will also develop opportunities for the arts to blossom right here in the West Valley for future generations.
All the world is a stage. – William Shakespeare
Odyssey Performing Arts – Spring Musicals
Each spring, Odyssey High School and Junior High come together to rehearse and perform a big, spring musical on our stage. Audition information for the musical will be announced after Thanksgiving break in the campus newsletters. Auditions are held right after Christmas break. Our musicals are big productions involving acting, singing, and complex choreography, and can include tap numbers choreographed by staff members and scholars.
OI’s Company
Company is an auditioned musical theater show choir group. This group performs at school and in the community as well as on stage at Disneyland every other year. Company meets everyday during 7th period.
For more information on how you may become a part of OI’s Company, please contact Karyn Wiens at kwiens@topamail.com
There was a star danced, and under that, was I born… – Kristin Caraway