The theatre and speech program at Pembroke Hill School offers a multi-level approach to developing each student's ability to express himself/herself in a concise, creative and artistic manner. 

Beginning in the lower school, a partnership with the Coterie Theatre of Kansas City offers an extracurricular drama program for grades three though five in which students explore improvisation, movement and playwriting. 

In middle school, required speech and drama courses, as well as theatre electives, provide formal training in script and speech writing, text interpretation and technical aspects of theatre production.  A fall play is presented each year by the middle school drama department, and the Spring Spectacular offers students an opportunity to perform monologues, scenes and poetry in an outdoor festival.  Students may elect to participate in the Junior Forensic Leagues in middle school and the National Forensic League in the upper school. 

A choice in program direction in the upper school presents students with a required course in the Theatre Arts or an arts focus track.   The arts focus program was created for those students who will advance their talents beyond secondary education or who show substantial talent and dedication to theatre or debate.  Theatre-focus students will elect advanced courses covering acting theory, criticism, theatre history and technical design.  Students focusing on debate will develop skills in extemporaneous speaking, research and oratory.  Advanced debaters will compete as a team in area competitions.  The entire theatre/speech program is aligned with national standards in theatre and speech education.