THEATRE

(1 CREDIT) Fulfills Fine Arts Requirement

Introduction to Theatre is a survey course that explores all facets of theatre, including acting, writing, directing, designing, and technical theatre. Students should expect to actively participate in the creation of theatrical productions, collaborate with peers, and evaluate their work and that of their peers in a constructive manner. Consistent participation is an essential component of the course.

(1 CREDIT)

This course focuses on modern acting theory and technique as developed through the methods of Constantin Stanislavsky, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and others. Students will choose and prepare a monologue for performance, present short scenes with peers, and create original monologues and scenes. All participants will learn the importance of both giving and receiving constructive criticism. Students will be challenged to develop their own approach to acting, rooted in the methods explored in class. Consistent participation is an essential component of the course.

(1 CREDIT)

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12.

Prerequisites: Acting I.

This course builds on the skills taught in Acting I and provides opportunities for preparing longer scenes. Students 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 mentor students in Acting I. A studio approach will help students develop critique and observation skills and will further develop individual approaches to acting technique. Students must pass Acting I to be enrolled in Advanced Acting.

(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