Course Descriptions

Dramatic Arts, Grade 9, Open (ADA1O)

This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms and techniques, using material from a wide range of sources and cultures. Students will use the elements of drama to examine situations and issues that are relevant to their lives. Students will create, perform, discuss, and analyze drama, and then reflect on the experiences to develop an understanding of themselves, the art form, and the world around them.

Dramatic Arts, Grade 10, Open (ADA2O)

This course requires students to actively explore dramatic forms and techniques, using their own ideas and concerns as well as sources selected from a wide range of authors, genres, and cultures. Student learning will include identifying and using the principles of space, time, voice, and movement in creating, sustaining, and communicating authentic roles within a drama. Students will assume responsibility for decisions made in the creation and presentation of the drama, and will analyze and reflect on the experience.

(TL;DR) Junior Drama is about developing our skills in creating, performing, and reflecting. We are interested in…

• Building a space to relax, have fun, and be creative

• Gaining confidence by trying new things, and learning how to give and receive feedback about our strengths and areas for growth

• Making connections between what we do in class and our own lives

• Connecting to the past, present, and future of dramatic arts

• Working with respect, integrity, and perseverance

Dramatic Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (ADA3M)

Prerequisite: Dramatic Arts, Grade 9 or 10, Open

The ADA3M course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations. Students will analyze, interpret, and perform dramatic works from various cultures and time periods. Students will research various acting styles and conventions that could be used in their presentations, and analyze the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences.

Drama Production, Grade 12, University/College Preparation (ADD4M)

Prerequisite: Dramatic Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or Open

The ADD4M course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theater from various cultures and time periods. Students will interpret dramatic literature and other texts and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures, and will analyze how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school. As a production-coded course, students have the opportunity to put these skills and concepts into action through putting on one or more major productions that will be performed for a live audience. Students will need to be prepared to attend some rehearsals and tech work periods outside of school hours.

(TL;DR) Senior Drama is about developing our skills in creating, performing, and reflecting. We are interested in…

• Building a space to relax, have fun, and be creative

• Gaining confidence by trying new things, and learning how to give and receive feedback about our strengths and areas for growth

• Making connections between what we do in class and our own lives

• Working with respect, integrity, and perseverance

• Practicing transferable skills that we can take into other courses in high school, and into post-secondary programs (whether Drama-related or not)

• When scheduling requires the 3M and 4M classes to be combined, both grades of students will have the opportunity to participate in a major production, which will be performed for a live audience.