THEATRE

(1 CREDIT) Fulfills Fine Arts Requirement

Introduction to Theatre will explore basic disciplines of theatre arts Ranging from performance, to writing, to designing through the development of a number of original stage presentations throughout year. Learning to collaborate with one’s classmates to create a finished piece is one of the central objectives of this course.

(1 CREDIT)

This course will focus on modern acting theory as developed through the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky, Viola Spolin, and others. Students will work independently on monologues and exercises as well as present scenes with others in the class. All participants will learn the importance of both giving and receiving constructive criticism. Readings will include excerpts from current and historical texts on the craft of acting. In addition, students will read a number

(1 CREDIT)

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12.

Prerequisites: Acting I.

This course will build upon the skills taught in Acting I, and will provide opportunities for preparing longer scenes. They should also expect to work with a wider variety of challenging theatrical texts. Acting theory will be further developed, and time will be spent refining the critical skills that were introduced in Acting I. Students will prepare a formal audition monologue, and will have the opportunity to work on original student work. A studio approach will help students develop critique and observation skills and will further develop individual technique approaches.

(1 CREDIT)

Open to grades: 10-12.

This course will require students to learn about every aspect of producing a short film, including screen writing, storyboarding, basic shooting techniques, acting and editing. Students will work on different teams to produce short films over the course of the year.

(1 CREDIT)

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12.

Students will learn basic formatting, dialogue writing, character development, plot structure and other elements of playwriting and screenwriting while developing critical skills and ability to analyze existing texts. Focus will be on encouraging development of individual voice and style in a collaborative setting. The course will also explore the essential differences (as well as similarities) between writing for the stage and writing for film or television, the techniques that each medium uses to tell stories, and what makes effective writing in each format. Exposure to and experimentation with culturally and geographically diverse styles, including contemporary “devised,” non-verbal and “documentary” forms will be part of the curriculum. Research into existing playwrights and film makers of color, as well as from various world cultures will be incorporated. We will read and watch performances by authors (including student-chosen) outside of the familiar literary canon. Student work will be developed for production, so that students will have the opportunity to see their work performed on stage or filmed and edited. The course is project-focused, and will afford opportunities to create multiple short plays and films, as well as collaborative group projects.

(1/2 CREDIT)

Open to grades: 9-12.

This course will introduce students to the three stages of video production (pre-production/planning, production/shooting, post-production/editing). Projects will vary from the creation of morning announcement videos to lip-synced music videos. All participants must be willing to work within a team and appear on camera