ARTS
CASA’s arts program was established to give creative students the opportunity for intensive arts study generally unavailable in traditional public schools. CASA accepts students based on audition for entry into one of six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, film & media arts, music, theatre and visual arts.
Today at CASA, students spend half of each day in their individual arts discipline, instructed by exceptional teachers through a disciplined curriculum enhanced by performances and master classes led by working artists. Collaborative opportunities such as CASA Live!, the cross-discipline annual performance written, produced, and performed by juniors and seniors, allow students to develop skills broadly applicable in college and careers.
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The mission of Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School is to provide students with a rich, rigorous arts-infused high school program that enables them to succeed in college and careers.
CREATIVE WRITING
The creative writing program emphasizes the craft of writing as a literary art, a tool of self-expression and an instrument for social change. Students experience an intensive workshop environment in which they develop poetry, prose (fiction or creative non-fiction) and various forms of professional writing including journalism and public relations.
DANCE
Creativity and individuality as well as precise technical skills are the focus of the dance curriculum at CASA. Emphasis is placed on modern dance due to its expressive nature, classical ballet for its discipline and structure, and classical jazz techniques to achieve a well-rounded experience.
FILM & MEDIA ARTS
This course introduces the student to the creation of expressionistic and realistic video and film productions. Students are given theoretical and practical experiences in traditional and state-of-the art video equipment. Using digital video cameras and Adobe Premiere editing software, the students create short narrative, artistic, documentary, and music style films and videos.
MUSIC
Individual and collective creativity are the focus of the music program. Combining study in content-based (music theory, ear training, solfege, music analysis) and performance-based (improvisation, technique, expression) areas, vocalists and instrumentalists collaborate with each other to create original compositions and arrangements in a variety of styles.
THEATRE
Theatre students study acting techniques, improvisation, voice, movement, styles of acting, and performance. The history of theatre from the ancient Greeks to the present is also explored. Technical theatre is offered with opportunities to learn in the CASA black box theatre/classroom as well as other venues in the Harrisburg area.
VISUAL ARTS
Visual Art provides an introduction to philosophy of art; art criticism and art history, while art production classes in drawing, painting, and mixed media build knowledge and technical skill for creative artworks. Introduction to a variety of drawing and painting media, compositional techniques, color theory, critiques, and reflections upon the work provide skills needed to move from a realistic image to personal expression and significant meaning.
