Theatre is an important part of Waukee High School (WHS). It’s co-curricular theatre arts program provides performance and technical theatre experience for students in grades 6-12. The Waukee Theatre Arts Center is located at Prairieview School, which is the home for most dramatic productions, with the High School Auditorium and other locations being home for other works.
Waukee Middle School and South Middle School begin the Waukee Theatre Arts experience with performances and coursework at the 6th and 7th-grade levels. This is where students explore speech and theatre electives and have the opportunity to work on a full extra-curricular production in each grade.
Prairieview and Timberline 8-9 Schools build on theatre education with full production for each 8th-grade class. The 9th-grade play is presented as a joint Prairieview/Timberline production, joining students in collaborative work as they prepare for high school theatre the following year.
Waukee High School has many opportunities for student performers and technicians in grades 10-12. A play is produced each fall with the WHS spring musical being open to all students in grades 10-12. In addition, students can advance their theatre knowledge and experience in several theatre courses at WHS. Courses include technical theatre courses as well as performance and directing studies.
Thespian Troupe #1451 offers 9th-12th-grade students extended learning, competition and scholarship opportunities for performers and technicians through attendance at the Iowa Thespian Festival, held each November at the University of Northern Iowa campus. Friday Night Live (FNL) is a bi-annual production of short plays produced, directed, performed, designed and promoted by 9th-12th-grade students. Shows are produced once in the fall and once in the spring.