The vibrant and innovative performing arts program is central to the life of the High School. The department puts up three theatrical seasons each year: a fall drama, student-directed one acts in the winter, and a spring musical. Students also perform in numerous concerts, short plays, recitals, and showcases throughout the year. An improvisation-acting troupe and an award-winning dance company provide additional opportunities for GDS performing artists.
The High School enjoys a unique performing arts facility, including dance and acting studios, choral and instrumental rooms complete with a recording center, practice rooms, and a MIDI lab. The theater itself is a large black box with a sophisticated technical infrastructure, comparable to those in many professional houses.
Unusual at the high school level, the theater program is constructed on a guild system. All shows are designed and built by students under the supervision of a full-time technical director. Students also produce and manage all shows, learning not only the business of the art, but also the art of the business.