Studio 81 is home to El Dorado High School’s Award Winning Drama Department.

Chaired by the E.D.H.S. Drama Department’s Paul Tomei, Studio 81 produces

plays and theatre events that are student driven and provide a wide

and culturally diverse variety of performances.  

At El Dorado High School, a visual or performing arts classes is mandatory for high school

graduation. There are three classes offered in Drama, all of which can be taken for

elective credit and the highest level repeated as a requirement for a

fourth year of English. The course descriptions are as followed:

Beginning Drama: To provide students with a general introduction to the basic theories of

acting. Through improvisation, creative movement, vocal studies, scene and monologue work

and basic terminology and vocabulary, students will gain an appreciation of the art form as it

applies to the performer and life long arts appreciator.

Advanced Drama: (by instructor approval) this course is designed for serious and committed

theatre students who are interested in continuing the study of acting at a higher level.

The course will consist of studying various methods and styles necessary to the development

of the actor, including a ten week unit on Shakespeare. A technical theatre aspect will be

introduced to students, providing them with a better appreciation of all aspects of the industry.

Advanced Production: (by audition/interview only) A junior/senior class devoted to students

whose goal it is to continue acting in college and/or as a career. This course acts as an

ensemble performance group, producing One Act Plays, student originals, competition

pieces and school tours. An audition/college search component is offered to aide in the

student’s future endeavors. This course may be created for credit and counts as a fourth

year of English, due to the strong writing elements included in the course.

Our philosophy towards training students in theatre is widespread. We are interested

not only in providing students with the skills necessary to make them competitive in

college and the real world, but to allow their self growth to positively effect their

personal lives as well. In other words, our focus is on the total student and total artist.



From the beginning, Studio 81 has promoted student achievement in the arts through

participation in regional competitions such as the Lenaea Festival, hosted by

California State University, Sacramento and the Elly Awards, hosted by the

Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance. Both events provide opportunities for

students to bring their craft to a even broader audience.