High Tech High School Performing Arts
High Tech High School’s award-winning Performing Arts Program provides students with an immersive, conservatory-style experience in Dance and Theatre Arts, with each program offering two distinct divisions:
- Dance: Performance and Choreography
- Theatre Arts: Drama and Musical Theatre
Students audition for a specific division during the admissions process and, once accepted, begin a four-year journey of artistic, technical, and personal growth. While each division offers a specialized course of study, all Performing Arts students are part of a collaborative community that encourages them to learn from one another, work across disciplines, and contribute to a wide range of performances and productions.
Throughout their four years at High Tech, students study closely with dedicated instructors who bring extensive professional experience to the classroom and studio. Their training is further enriched through opportunities to work with guest artists and industry professionals, providing exposure to different techniques, perspectives, and professional practices.
The Performing Arts curriculum combines rigorous technical training with creative exploration and individualized instruction. Students are challenged to strengthen their craft, develop their artistic voice, take creative risks, and grow as confident performers and artists. Productions, showcases, workshops, and interdisciplinary projects provide authentic opportunities to apply their learning and experience the collaborative nature of the performing arts.
Beyond developing their craft, students become part of a close-knit artistic community. The relationships they build with classmates, instructors, guest artists, and industry professionals contribute to an experience that extends far beyond the classroom. Graduates leave High Tech with the discipline, confidence, creativity, and technical foundation to pursue continued study and professional opportunities in the performing arts.
High Tech High School Musical Theatre’s Evita Receives Two Rising Star Award Nominations
(Millburn, NJ--May 6, 2019) High Tech Musical Theatre’s production of Evita received two Rising Star Award nominations from Paper Mill Playhouse, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. Junior Sara Bartoszek, a resident of Hoboken, received a nomination for Best Featured Actress for her portrayal of the “Mistress”, and Trista DeFilippis, head...
National YoungArts Foundation Recognizes High Tech’s Carlos Hernandez and Tomoe Carr This Year
(Miami, FL–April 22-26, 2019) National YoungArts Foundation announced High Tech Graphic Arts major Carlos Hernandez, a resident of Jersey City, a finalist for Photography, while Dance major and North Bergen resident Tomoe Carr earned an honorable mention for Hip Hop this year, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. Both Hernandez, named among...
Students Get Sneak Peak at High Tech Dance Department’s “Novum”
(April 10, 2019–Jersey City, NJ) As the High Tech dance majors and their instructor, Trista DeFilippis, prepared for the spring show, Novum, they invited Explore students to sneak a peak during their final dress rehearsal. The students were thrilled to see a number of the pieces from Novum, that were all student choreographed; one of...
HIGH TECH HIGH SCHOOL DANCE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS NOVUM: A NEW BEGINNING
High Tech Dance Department continues its 2018-2019 season with their annual Spring Dance Showcase, Novum: A new beginning. Directed by Trista DeFilippis, Novum stars dance majors who will present their own choreography which is the culmination of year long projects. These dancers create their own works, choose their own music scores, light and costume their own...
High Tech Dance Alumnus Idaliz Cristian Goes on Tour with Singer/Songwriter Khalid, Appears in His Latest Video, too
(Los Angeles, CA–March 11, 2019) High Tech Dance Department alumnus Idaliz Cristian (Class of 2017), currently on tour with singer/songwriter Khalid, has just been featured in Khalid’s latest video for his song “Talk,” announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. In 2017, Khalid received five nominations at the Grammy Awards, including Best...
HIGH TECH HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS:
Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s EVITA
Performances March 22nd and 23rd at 7pm, and Sunday March 24th at 2pm. Tickets are reserved seating and are $15.00 High Tech High School 1 High Tech Way Secaucus, NJ 07094 High Tech Musical Theatre continues its 2018-2019 season with the epic Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice musical, EVITA. Directed by John Zisa and Musically Directed...
“Hamiltunes” Brings Hamilton to High Tech
(Secaucus, NJ–January 25, 2019) Over 200 Hamilton fans gathered in the Main Stage Theater for the High Tech Performing Arts Department’s first “Hamiltunes: An American Sing-along,” announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech. An officially-licensed, karaoke-style sing-along, “Hamiltunes” raised funds for the High Tech Musical Theatre Department. The successful show, inspired by Lin Manuel Miranda’s Tony...
Jon Rua, Broadway Star of “Hamilton,” Visits High Tech
(Secaucus, NJ–January 24, 2019) To coincide with the Musical Theatre fundraiser “Hamiltunes,” Broadway actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer Jon Rua paid a visit to the High Tech Performing Arts Department, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. The Main Stage Theater at the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus served as the backdrop for...
John Zisa, High Tech Director of Musical Theater, Produces Show in Homage to American Singer-Songwriter Kenny Rankin
(New York City--January 12, 2019) High Tech's Director of Musical Theater, John Zisa, produced a show that pays homage to American singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin, a popular figure of the 60's and 70's, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. Zisa, along with his band members, one of whom happens to be new...
High Tech Dance Department Welcomes Back Alumni
(Secaucus, NJ–January 4, 2019) Veteran High Tech dance director Trista DeFilippis hosted an alumni dance day at the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech. DeFilippis reached out to former dance majors who graduated from High Tech as far back as four years ago. All of the alumni have been...