DRAMA 1
Credits: 5 per semester
This is a beginning-level class open to all students at IHS.
College Prep Course
Drama 1 will provide the student with an exploration of body, voice, and characterization. Activities include ensemble games, improvisation, body & sensory awareness, movement, dramatic structure, character creation, diction work, scene study, script analysis, theatre history, and theatrical critique.
Emphasis is placed on developing a familiarity with the performance experience. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Develop an understanding of basic theatre techniques
● Identify basic theatrical terminology
● Perform short scenes and improvisations in various theatrical styles
● Discover and cultivate individual talents
● Gain self-discipline and learn self-evaluation
DRAMA 2
Credits: 5 per semester - Audition Required
College Prep Course
Drama 2 will provide the student with a foundational repertoire of theatrical literature. The focus is placed on Audition Techniques, Improvisation, Musical Theatre, and Playwrights. Activities include short-form improvisation, basic musical theatre technique, script analysis, and theatrical critique. Emphasis is placed on the development and performance of stylized material. Students involved in this course will engage in community performances.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Identify and research cultural, historical, and symbolic clues in dramatic texts from various theatrical styles and genres for informal and formal productions
● Develop and demonstrate an understanding of basic Audition Techniques
● Create improvisations based on situations implied or alluded to, gaining greater insight into character.
● Direct, sing, and choreograph production numbers from musicals in various eras
● Demonstrate an understanding of “the method” acting technique
● Perform formal works of theatre
ADVANCED DRAMA
Credits: 5 per semester Audition Required
College Prep Course
Advanced Drama is a course for students serious about their work on stage. Students in this course will delve deeper into Arts, Media, and Entertainment through the lens of the professional actor, director, and playwright. Exercises exploring the acting theories of Stanislavski, Chekov, Meisner, Adler, Hagen, and Spolin are critical to the class experience. Students will develop portfolios of their work and resumes to be used in competitions, for scholarships, during college auditions, and for formal performance. Students involved in this course will compete in theatre festivals as well as direct and/or perform in community performances.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Exhibit mastery of vocabulary, directorial skills, and rehearsal technique
● Display soft skills crucial to success in arts, media, and entertainment
● Perform at advanced skill levels relating to a variety of styles and genres of theatrical performance
● Demonstrate leadership by organizing productions and shows for class or school production
ADVANCED THEATRE PRODUCTION
Credits: 5 per semester - Audition Required
College Prep Course
The emphasis of this repertory class is fully realized theatrical productions through the application of skills learned in previous courses such as script analysis, acting technique, and directing. Students will direct, produce, design, and act in multiple productions throughout the year for performances for Irvine High students as well as the general public. Some rehearsal time outside of the class meeting time will be required. Students will also prepare monologues and/or scenes for entry into adjudicated theatre festivals (minimum of 1 entry).
TECHNICAL THEATRE Beginning level
Credits: 5 per semester
This is a beginning-level class open to all students at IHS.
College Prep Course
The curriculum is aligned to the CA CTE Model Curriculum Standards and Career Ready Standards for the Sector Arts, Media, and Entertainment and the Production and Managerial Arts - Tech Theater/Music Tech career pathway.
The Beginning Tech Theatre course is designed to teach students the skills and terminology of the various technical fields of live events and theatre production. Over the course of two semesters, the class will address the following fields:
Set Design & Construction
Scenic Painting
Stage Management
Lighting Design, Programming & Operation
Costume Design & Construction
Sound Design & Operation
Publicity & House Management
Prop Design and Construction
Some of these fields will be addressed as units of study including hands-on training, written assessments, and authentic, project-based assessments. Other fields will be addressed through observation of experienced Irvine High students as well as industry professionals.
INTERMEDIATE TECHNICAL THEATRE
Credits: 5 per semester - Audition Required
College Prep Course
Students will further their depth of understanding in the areas of technical design and training. Students will gain hands-on experience and application through internship and assistance positions with Advanced Technical Theater students as head designers. Students will gain leadership experience by supervising and leading Technical Theater students in class with the assistance and facilitation of the teacher.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Demonstrate soft skills crucial to success in arts, media, and entertainment
● Exhibit mastery of vocabulary, technical skills, and design techniques
● Analyze a script for artistic intent and directorial vision
● Draft, render, engineer, and pitch theatrical designs
● Pitch at advanced skill levels in a variety of styles and genres of theatre
● Compete in theatre festivals
● Demonstrate leadership by organizing productions and shows for class or school production
Note: Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time. Approximately 12 hours of extra-curricular time will be required each semester for observation and work experience.
ADVANCED TECHNICAL THEATRE
Credits: 5 per semester - Audition Required
College Prep Course
Advanced Technical Theatre students serve as designers and leaders of the production teams for the three major stage productions (fall play, musical, and spring play). Students choose an area of specialty (lighting, sound, costumes, etc.) and create the designs for the production. Students will develop their skills through the execution of the full design process from script analysis to research, sketches, design pitches, budgeting, and drafting/building/programming to bringing designs to completion for a stage production. A high level of commitment and self-direction is required to ensure the success of the production. Time commitment outside of the class meeting time varies based on the demands of the student's chosen specialty. Those specialties requiring a significant number of hours in rehearsal and performance will earn the student additional credit in the Play Production course.
Note: Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time.
PLAY PRODUCTION
Audition or Interview Required; Director Approval Required
Credit: Variable
Play Production forms the performing unit for the after-school plays and musicals presented at Irvine High School. This production class is intended for the student actors, stage crew, production managers, and box office personnel: all of whom are intensely involved with producing a theatrical show for public performance.
There will be at least one play or musical produced in each year. All participants must audition/interview with the director. Each student must also meet the "C" average grade requirement prior to the audition. Upon selection as an actor or member of the production crew, the student will automatically be enrolled in Play Production. *(Note: students will not pre-enroll prior to the audition date). All rehearsals and production duties will be held after school. A student will earn one unit of credit for each 36 hours of work completed. A maximum of five units may be earned in a semester.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate appropriate performance skills pertaining to acting techniques or production assignments.
Analyze and interpret the play script.
Produce a play/musical for public performance.
Note: Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time.