ABOUT US
Catherine Kingsbury
Theatre Arts Instructor, Director
Performing Arts Center Manager
Catherine Kingsbury has been involved in theatre for most of her life. She earned a
BA in English and History at Santa Clara University, where she also pursued playwriting.
She directed high school drama in the Bay Area and worked professionally as a
performer and theatre supervisor for Great America. She toured the Pacific Basin as a
performer and goodwill ambassador.
Locally, she has worked with community theatre groups and several other North
County school districts. She is co-founder of the community theatre group North County
Theatre Works and The Templeton Performing Arts Foundation.
Ms. Kingsbury’s directorial style is collaborative--working as much with what the
students bring to their parts as to what her overall vision for the show is. Students have
great ownership in what they do in the THS Drama program. They don't have to begin
with great talent; they just need to be willing and coachable.
Professional Memberships and Awards:
CETA (California Educators of Theatre Arts)
EDTA ( Educators of Theatre Arts)
International Thespian Society # (Thespian Honor Society)
Distinguished Teacher Network (American High School Theatre Festival Program)
ASHTF Director’s Award 2013, 2015, 2019
(Student Performances at the International Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland)
AHSTF Best Performance 2013; Best Musical 2019
Jim Black
Technical Theatre Instructor
Set Construction Supervisor
Amanda Thayer
Assistant Director
The Program
THS DRAMA is unique in many ways; however, three main focus areas set us apart
from other high school programs. First of all, we believe that Live Theatre IS Community
Service. We engage in a deep and significant commitment to our community:
volunteering for many local programs and managing the Templeton Performing Arts
Center. We also invite community members to share their stories with our students for
real-life connections with their characters and professionals for career guidance.
Secondly, our entire school community is involved in the drama program: Staff
participates in performances such as Improv Night and Play-in-a Day; we work with
other courses such as the Art and Engineering departments to create special projects to
make set pieces, props, and costumes, and the Music Dept. to write and record original
music for productions. Advanced Theatre students hold “VIP Performances” for support
classes, performing scenes and providing Talk-Backs and also out-reach programs to
our elementary students. And third, our Depth of Preparation for the plays we produce is
comprehensive. The historical/cultural research and social/psychological context work is
thorough. We value attention to detail and specificity. We also bring in theatre
professionals to teach the cast and crew specific skills for each production such as
stage combat, tap dance, pantomime, and dialects.
Thus, these three areas contribute to the superior quality, high level of
professionalism, and wide-ranging community involvement of our program, even though
we are a small, rural school (750 students).
The Vision
The Templeton High School Drama Program fosters skills and knowledge of theatre arts and
nurtures personal growth and creativity in students through educational theatre. The program
also entertains and educates its audiences with a wide variety of plays and performances from
many eras and genres. THS Drama actively promotes community involvement in theatre arts as
a life-long endeavor.
Ms. Kingsbury’s philosophy as a theatre teacher and director stems from being a high school
educator first. It's important to me that the students learn skills and information that will help
them at the next level of their education or career training--whatever that may be. If they want to
pursue a career in theatre, then they will be well prepared. If they want to pursue a career in
anything else, they will also be prepared with good communication skills and work ethics,
especially working in a team environment.
Students are involved in every aspect of theatre arts: technical, acting, directing, design, writing,
construction, production, marketing, and promotions. Students are encouraged to be innovative
and creative and have confidence in themselves and their ideas. THS Drama is a nurturing,
supportive, tolerant atmosphere where everyone can feel safe and valued. Fostering a
supportive family atmosphere among everyone is essential.