Four pictures illustrating students performing in a show.

Art Areas

Drama

The Drama Department at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts (CCAA) is a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages students to develop to their full potential.

As artists, they learn to be creative collaborators while developing their skills in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving as they share their diverse stories. Although there is a strong focus on Canadian Theatre, students also explore source material, plays and theatre history from a variety of cultures and genres. 

While at Carter, students explore:

  • Physical theatre (clowning, mask work, mime)

  • Improvisation

  • Movement/dance

  • Stage combat

  • Singing

  • Scene study

  • Devising

  • Musical theatre

  • Short film production

  • Directing

  • Theatre design, lighting and stagecraft

3 women in black dancing on stage.
A student acting on stage.
A female student pushing another female student in a wheelchair on stage.
2 students in virtual meeting
A group of students acting on stage.
A female student in mask acting on stage.
5 female students acting on stage.
A group of students posting for a photo on stage.
2 students acting on stage.
2 students reading a book on stage.
A student carrying another student on stage.
A student acting in virtual format.
A student acting in front of a computer.
A student holding a red ball in front of a computer.
A female student acting on stage.
A group of students acting on stage.
2 students acting on stage.
A student in costume on stage.
A group of students on stage.
A group of students acting on stage.
2 students acting on stage.

In order to broaden their experience, students regularly work with guest artists from the professional community in such areas as text analysis, playwriting, film, digital theatre, devised theatre, music theatre and mask.  

Professionally led workshops by groups such as Rapier Wit (Sword), Shakesperience (Shakespearean text) and Studio 180 (Exploring Identity and Community) occur throughout their time at CCAA. All of these opportunities expose our students to a range of approaches as they develop their own voice, ensuring their growth as artists and creators.

Drama Graduate Tribute

This is a lighthearted compilation of images and video footage of the graduating Drama class. It showcases their joy, imagination and silliness (all necessary for a creative process) while working in class and in rehearsals. It’s this energy and fun that they will remember most!

​- Grade 12 Students

Teacher: Donna Marie Baratta

Department Staff

Sheila O’Brien
Drama Department Head
Email: sheila.obrien@tcdsb.org

Donna Marie Baratta
Email: donnamarie.baratta@tcdsb.org

Jennifer Thomson
Email: ​jennifer.thomson@tcdsb.org​

Michael Walsh
Email: michael.walsh@tcdsb.org