Drama

Lexington Middle School Drama Offerings:

Clarke Middle School Drama

Grade 6

  • Radio Shows: We work on story development through creating radio shows. In creating the radio shows, the students work on developing character voices, ensemble work, vocal interpretation of text, sound effects and, of course, giving peer assessments.
  • Puppets: Our next big unit is a puppet unit in which they continue their work in storytelling. The students write the scripts, design puppets, create those puppets, rehearse their scenes and then perform their puppet shows for their peers.
  • Commercials: students now have the chance to be the focus of their scenes. Each group develops a 30-second commercial to present to the class. In this unit, they must write and memorize the copy, create the props, find costumes and develop their characters for their commercials.

Grade 7

  • Mime: The students start off the year learning miming skills. They work in small groups to develop setting and believably create the world of the scene - using nothing but their miming skills.
  • Basic Needs Scene: The students start to develop characters using techniques learned in class: Objectives, obstacles, Given Circumstances, progression, urgency are all incorporated into these scenes. The performance art group Mummenschanz is used as an example.
  • Black Light Monsters: In this activity, small groups create need to design an oversized "monster" that can only be seen in black light. All group members work together to design the character and then to create the character. Lighting is introduced (black light). Black light monsters
  • Prop Scenes: All students bring in a prop from home and use these as characters in a scene where these props must have human characteristics. Students work in small groups to develop the script and then work to bring the story to performance - adding a twist that includes unique costuming!
  • Page to Stage: The class talks about theatre jobs and the expectations for all performers and techies. The class is broken into large groups and each group is given a story starter. The group must develop rest of the story using the starter as an inspiration. Following that, they must script the story. During this process, the group determines their roles in the final presentation: actor, director, stage manager, costumer, lighting, props, etc. Following the development of the script, they will then work on the development of the play. Each member is responsible for creating part of the final presentation. Students learn to use a lighting board, create props, rehearse with actors, call cues, etc. The unit culminates with a performance for the rest of the class.

Grade 8

  • Greek Theatre: Students learn about the major Greek playwrights and develop two plays - Antigone and Agamemnon. The use of physical and vocal work becomes important as the actors use masks/togas and present the final scene in the outdoor classroom.
  • Performance Art: We continue our exploration of performance art from grade 7 by developing a scene that is presented around the school. We use Improv Everywhere as an inspiration for our ideas.
  • Theatre of the Absurd: We look at Absurdism and it's impact on contemporary theatre. The students learn about the primary Absurdist playwrights and develop a short play in the style to present to their peers.
  • Improvisation: Using many different theatre games, the students practice the technique of improv. We talk about elements of comedy, development of scenes, the rules of improv and creating characters.
  • Melodrama: We look at facets of melodrama and create our own melodrama using a story starter. During this unit, the students learn to create stock characters, practice bold physical choices and learn to add music to their development of scenes.
  • Clowning: We learn the elements of comedy and create a comic scene. Makeup design and costumes are involved as the students create a humorous presentation for the class.




LHS Drama

Welcome! The LHS Drama Department offers eight different courses ranging from introductory to advanced. There are also numerous opportunities to be involved in after-school drama activities both on stage and behind the scenes. Co-curricular activities include the fall play, Improv Troupe, Drama Club and the spring musical.

Curricular Offerings:

  • Advanced Drama Workshop explores advanced dramatic structures, characterizations, themes and styles. The work will be student generated through research, rehearsal and group cooperation. Students will be held to a high standard within these areas, including presentation and performance, and may have to work outside of the classroom. Projects may include Docudrama-type narratives such as Anna Deveare Smith’s, “Twilight Los Angeles,” and other exploratory dramas. Student work may be showcased to invited audiences.
  • This Is Your Life: Introduction to Acting is an introduction to drama and theater. All students will learn to work in imaginative situations truthfully. A variety of approaches to drama and theater are illuminated to students throughout the course. Exploratory improvisation, movement, text and vocal work are used to examine the human condition in real and imagined scenarios. Some examples of work include subtext and character, theme, metaphor, form and content, the dynamics of status. This class may not be repeated for credit.
  • Directing will explore the essential tasks of a director of dramatic material (theater/film). We will examine the question: how does a director take the writing on the page and transfer it effectively to the stage? To engage in the responsibilities of the director, we will do a variety of group activities and scenes, read, and view films of plays. There will be a number of scene performances assigned throughout the semester. We will spend time as a class responding to the work of all class members. In these discussion/critique sessions, our goal is to help each other to see our pieces from the audience’s perspective; our goal is not to re-direct the piece. Students will complete both in-class and at-home assignments, as well as a final project at the end of the course.
  • Drama of Social Issues explores various social issues that affect our lives and the community/world in which we live. Using exploratory and structured improvisation, students will create and perform two theater pieces for the school community. Each performance will explore a different issue in episodic or linear form. Students will be asked to look at these issues from different points of view and interpret them for the stage. Ensemble work is a significant focus of this course; students are expected to demonstrate investment in the success of all class members.
  • Improvisational Theater is an introduction to improvisation in its many forms. Students will begin with simple improvisation exercises that develop imaginary object use, free association and spontaneity skills, free form improvisation, movement improvisation and structured improvisation. Ensemble work will be stressed as students are expected to invest in each other’s success. Thematic work around performance genres, stereotyping character, metaphor and abstraction will be ongoing. This class may not be repeated for credit.
  • Playwriting will explore the essential elements of dramatic writing. We will examine the question: what do you as a writer need to write? What is the play inside of you now that needs to be written? What is your unique voice and vision as a writer? To observe dramatic structure, action, character and other elements, we will read a variety of plays and view films of plays. There will be a number of writing exercises assigned throughout the semester. We will spend time as a class reading and responding to the work of all class members. In these discussion/critique sessions, our goal is to help the writer to develop the play s/he is writing, rather than to re-write a classmate’s work. Both in-class and at-home writing prompts will be assigned, as well as a ten minute play due at the end of the course.
  • Scene Study (Text Me) is a class that will explore a variety of scripts, both published and unpublished. Multiple time periods, writing styles and genres will be included. It is recommended that students have prior drama class or performance experience. In exploring each script, students will analyze characters, research genres, and show their interpretations through dramatic performance. Students will play a variety of characters throughout the course. Assignments include scene and monologue performances, script memorization and analysis, and creative and reflective writing prompts.
  • Public Speaking 1 is a course designed to give students practice in organizing and delivering informative, persuasive and demonstrative speeches. The introduction of other speakers is also practiced. Speech topics are chosen by students who must make weekly speeches. In-class critiques offered by students supplement teacher evaluation.
  • Public Speaking 2 will continue to develop the skills they learned in Public Speaking 1. We will work with speeches to persuade, to entertain and to inform. In addition, we will learn how to mark a script for oral interpretation. Students will continue to hone their skills in making eye contact, using proper posture, working with gesture, pitch and tone. Speeches will be due every two weeks and lengths will vary according to the assignment.
  • The Play's The Thing is designed to take students through the entire dramatic workshopping process. We will begin with a raw starting point, develop ideas, improvise, create scenes, write a script, rehearse and perform. Ensemble work is a significant focus of this process. Students will be involved in every aspect of developing a theatrical performance, including addressing andy technical needs. We will either perform for an invited audience of film the piece for viewing at a later date.

LHS Technical Theatre:

Under the guidance of Technical Director, John DiPerna, the Lexington High School Tech Crew are the creators of all stage and theatrical productions. Being a part of this team allows you to have hands on experience with all things technical theater. This includes, but is not limited to,

-Building all scenic pieces and props

-Assisting in designing the stage lighting

-Stage light technicians

-Stage and set painting

-Running the audio or lighting board during productions

-Microphones coordinator

-Building costumes

-Stage makeup

-Rigging flying scenery.

-Running stage crew for our productions

And that’s just to name a few aspects!

Over the course of the school year the students build two full-fledged theatrical productions, a drama in the fall and a musical in the spring, along with periodically assisting with the four Middle School productions (two dramas and two musicals at each school) as well as other various extra curricular events. All students are welcome and encouraged to join Tech Crew, and because the club meets all year, there is flexibility for students to join other groups/athletics and still have time to participate in a show.

No experience is necessary. Students are trained on all tools and equipment prior to use.