PERFORMING ARTS
The Academy of Performing Arts offers students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the performing arts. Participation in these courses will prepare them for post-secondary studies or entry into arts related occupations within the fine arts and entertainment industry. The academy offers discipline specific studies in either Vocal, Dance, or Drama. Auditions are required for placement level in specified areas of study. Students in this academy are required to dedicate time outside the regular school day for rehearsals and performances. Students have the opportunity to complete the industry standard OSHA 10 certification and are offered work based learning opportunities.
Dance Fundamentals Grade 9 Credits: 10
Dance Fundamentals is an introduction to the genres of ballet, modern, tap and jazz dance presented in cultural and historical context. Learning the vocabulary, principles and elements of each style is important. The class focuses on students’ development of kinesiological body awareness, technical facility, spatial expressiveness, and personal creativity. Students will apply fundamental techniques to develop and perform dance works of art. Evaluation of student progress is continual, integrated into the daily teaching process, and made in three primary ways: teacher critique, student self-assessment, and peer response. Students learn to identify the essential elements of each skill or sequence performed by their instructor and to examine their own movements in terms of these elements. Skills learned in Dance are refined and reinforced in all upper level classes. Original dance works representative of various dance styles are created and performed in the annual Spring Dance Concert.
Intermediate Dance II, III, IV Grades 10-12 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Dance Fundamentals
Intermediate Dance emphasizes the development of fundamental performance techniques, the historical and cultural influences in dance art, and an understanding of aesthetic responses & critique methodologies designed to engage students in both creating and performing dance works. Students will develop dance concepts utilizing imitative, creative and technical approaches to understanding dance within a variety of dance styles and forms. The course focuses on the physical conditioning of the dancer, emphasizing the importance of agility (which enables precise arm and leg extensions), strength, and endurance. Students will practice maintaining focus, energy, and dynamics over the course of a performance. Students work individually, in pairs, and in small ensembles, developing skills, timing and rhythmic acuity. Stage placements used in the studio allow students to address audience perspectives. Tempo, dance sequence patterns, and transitions are important areas of experimentation. Students will create and choreograph dances according to teacher guidelines (which may be determined by concepts such as style, inspirations, and theme) and study abstraction by improvising phrases. Original dance works representative of various dance styles are created and performed in the fall Choreo Project performance and the annual Spring Dance Concert.
Honors Dance Grades 9-12 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Audition Placement
Honors Dance emphasizes development of the total dancer by integrating each student’s physical, analytical, and creative growth. Students will choose specific genres for in-depth, individualized analysis; they will observe and discuss each other’s work in the process of developing their own particular artistic vision. Dance students will apply knowledge of aesthetic dance observation and analysis skills to the critique process by developing assessment criteria for teaching, writing performing arts observations, constructing auditions, and creating dance compositions. Students will refine dance concepts utilizing imitative, creative and technical approaches to understanding dance within a variety of dance styles and forms, and apply them to the development of a production. This advanced level of class work challenges students to become leaders, independent thinkers, and role models within the field of study. Original dance works representative of various dance styles are created and performed in the fall Choreoproject performance and the annual Spring Dance Concert.
*This class is articulated with Stockton University for DE credit in the junior or senior year.
Drama Fundamentals Grade 9 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: None
Exploratory Drama is broken down into several major areas of study: Acting Technique, The History of Drama, and Theatre Appreciation. These areas are the core foundation of the curriculum. Acting Technique introduces the fundamentals of acting such as the use of the body, mind, and voice. The foundations are the basis on which all advanced skills derive and can prepare students for public speaking and skills to overcome stage fright. Students will focus on improvisation, pantomime, monologue, and scene work. Dramatic History explores the development of early theater from Greek Drama to English Restoration Theatre as well as understanding the physical theater, stage safety, and the purpose of theater in society. Theatre Appreciation introduces students to a wide range of theatrical styles. Students will have the opportunity to audition class performances for presentation in the Spring Drama Academy Showcase.
Intermediate Drama II, III, IV Grades 10, 11, 12 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Drama Fundamentals
Intermediate Drama is built upon the freshman year and continues in the rigorous studies of Acting Technique, Dramatic Theory, Theatre production, Theatre Business and Theatre Appreciation. Acting Technique encourages the students to continue using proper physical and vocal warm-ups through activities designed to cultivate openness, spontaneity, and body awareness. Students will develop an acute sense of stage worthy blocking and movement to strengthen their power on stage, as well as begin to experience acting methods in the styles of Stanislavski, Meisner, Strasberg, Adler, Loughlin and Hagen. Dramatic Theory promotes proficiency in analysis and critique of dramatic performances. Students will learn the roles of a director and will analyze a text and present the material from a director’s perspective. Through theory, students will more fully understand and utilize acting techniques to create believable performances. Theatre History will continue developing student’s awareness of theatre’s timeline and the significance of the relationship of global history to theatrical genres. Theatre Production/Theatre Business continues to expand upon and explore the ideas and career paths associated with working in the performing Arts such as costuming and stage makeup. Theatre Appreciation will expose students to classical and contemporary plays that will serve as a basis for finding performance materials. Students will perform in a Showcase that will require rehearsal time outside of regular class time.
Advanced Drama II, III Grades 11,12 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Drama Fundamentals, Intermediate Drama II
This course takes the skilled actor and provides them the challenge of displaying their knowledge by placing them in the role of the director. Students will work together to choose a script and design a production from start to finish, incorporating research for licensing, tickets, costume design, set, lighting, casting, rehearsal calendars, blocking, publicity, etc. that will culminate in a showcase of their production. The Senior Fall production will require dedicated time outside of the regular school day for rehearsal and performance. Actors will also continue to expand on advanced acting skills, script analysis, and work in the theatre. Additional aspects of the course may include writing and individual assistance on college audition materials such as audition monologues, resumes, headshots and website portfolios in addition to acting for film Students may have the opportunity for internships in the entertainment field in senior year and will also prepare for their end of course assessment. It should be understood that these courses are demanding, require independent reading, time management and personal motivation for success.
Vocal Fundamentals Grade 9 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: None
Exploratory Vocal Music is a performance and participation based course. This course is designed to introduce and develop basic vocal technique, music theory, sight reading, music history, musical styles, singing choral literature, piano and understanding ensemble rehearsal participation. Through music theory students will study the basics of pitch notation and grand staff, accidentals and half-whole steps, and simple meters. Music history will cover from the Gothic to Renaissance and understand the development of music during those times. Students will take voice lessons, learn the basics of vocal anatomy, and understand healthy habits of taking care of your voice. Students will study solos each marking period in the following styles: Folk Song, Musical Theater, and a choice genre. Students will receive feedback from their instructor through varied performance checks throughout the marking period. In addition, vocal students will learn the basics of piano which will result in a culminating recital performance. Students will perform in the winter and spring concerts that will require outside of class rehearsal. This course may include research, writing, and multiple in class performances. The goal of this course is to build a confident solo singer and prepare for the upper level vocal courses.
IntermediateVocal I/II Grades 10 , 11 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Vocal Fundamentals
Intermediate Vocals is built upon the freshman year and continues in the rigorous studies of vocal technique, music theory, sight reading, music history, musical styles, choral literature, piano, and music careers. This course is taught over two years which will provide ample time to cover all necessary content in preparation for the advanced vocals course. Through theory, students will study subdivisions- syncopations, compound meter, and major -minor scales and keys. Music history will cover Baroque to Classical. Students will be exposed to provided examples of various composers crucial to those time periods. Through music careers students will research, create resumes, and take headshots. Voice lessons will continue and their study of various solo’s throughout the year in the following styles: Art Song, Musical Theater, and a choice genre. Students will receive feedback from their instructor and classmates. Vocal students learn to provide critiques respectfully to each other. This is an incredibly important tool to have in the vocal professional field. Piano will be expanded with more scales, arpeggiations and recitals throughout the year. Students will perform in the winter and spring concerts with the opportunity to audition for solos. This
Vocal Music III Grade 12 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Vocal Music II
This course skilled vocalist
The Performing Arts program, Vocal Music, is a performance-based course. Students will demonstrate understanding of music skills which include sight-reading, rhythmic, melodic composition and song performance and interpretation. Through performance, students will discover historical understandings of the cultural impact music has on society. This course is designed to further student confidence as solo singers as well as ensemble members and to enhance musicianship to a beginner intermediate understanding.