Performing and Fine Arts
Rome is the city that has always flourished in and celebrated the arts. AOSR is the school that nurtures and extends our students' creativity and vision.
Theater
In both the middle and high school, class efforts concentrate on the world of theater and sharing our mental inventions through performance, in our brand new Black Box Theater.
During the academic year, students have the opportunity to participate in a number of drama performances which include a fall and spring production and the annual Shakespeare Festival. This brings middle and high school students together in our iconic Hillside Theater.
In the Middle School Theater Program, students spend eight weeks learning about the traditions of theater, gaining skills as performers, and exercising their creative thinking. Students work on building an imaginatively-rich and supportive environment, a space where all members can feel good about taking the creative risks that are an essential part of making art.
In the High School Theater Program, students have the opportunity to build on their knowledge of drama and to extend their learning in Theater I, II, and Advanced/IB Drama courses. Students are exposed to improvisation, theater combat, Shakespearian theater, audition practice, and directing. Advanced/IB Theater is a challenging two-year course in which students read and analyze drama texts in-depth, create and act in original performances, and study theater theory.
Music: Concert Band, Music Ensemble, and Guitar
AOSR students also have the opportunity to develop their musical passions. There are a variety of courses including Concert Band, Modern Music Ensemble, Guitar, Music Theory, Survey of Rock n' Roll, Choir, and more. Students hone their skills and techniques by playing an instrument and reading and interpreting music. They learn about the building blocks that make up music composition and are given the chance to create their own pieces, and learn the fundamentals of vocal technique.
The community supports the Music Department by attending musical student performances and concerts throughout the year.
Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, and Photography
AOSR students are encouraged to express themselves through the visual arts. Rome has much to offer in the way of visual inspiration and our students reflect this dynamic melding of the ancient and the modern world in their paintings, drawings, and photography. Students have the opportunity to take both introductory and Advanced/IB Studio Art courses. These classes strive to connect students with the social and cultural world around them, giving them insight into and practice with the skills needed to develop their aesthetic visions.
