Mr. Tom Jones Drama is an exciting elective filled with improvisational games, learning to act independently and, most important, learning to share the stage with fellow actors. Our goal is to create a safe and fun theatrical learning environment by working together and supporting each other as an effective Drama team. This is fundamental to developing confidence which leads to a strong acting performance. Students will perform monologues, exploring how they go about expressing themselves and the variety of ways of self-expression. Important social skills are also emphasized. Using improvisational games, they learn to trust themselves, their drama team and to take risks on stage. When performing scenes, students discover the importance of listening and responding to others in the appropriate manner. Furthermore, students learn auditioning strategies, important theatrical terms, parts of the stage, the duties of a backstage crew, learning stage-blocking and taking stage-directions, picking up cues, and strategies for memorizing lines. Students interested in auditioning for Performing Arts Schools such as La Guardia High School and The High School for the Performing Arts, are offered assistance in selecting two contrasting monologues and in-and out-of-class coaching. They also have the important opportunity to rehearse their audition in front of their drama class. This practice in front of an audience is crucial for a strong audition that is performed in front of a panel of judges at most Performing Arts High Schools. At the end of the year, there is an exciting drama production that requires learning lines, implementing the year’s drama lessons, being part of a stage crew that includes being responsible for the lighting and sound, and having great fun performing for their school, family and friends. Video:http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.cfm?colid=27607&a=on Manhattan East and "In the Heights" in the news: http://baltimore.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26433 |