INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE

Semester - Grades 9-12

Introduction to Theatre is a broad overview of theatrical elements and principles. Students will create, perform, respond to, and connect with theatrical ideas and works as actors and audience members. Students will examine how vocal and physical delivery can be utilized to effectively express ideas, concepts, and emotions to an audience. This class satisfies the Oral Communication requirement. 

PREREQUISITE:  None

TECHNICAL THEATRE

Semester - Grades 9-12

Technical Theatre explores the backstage world of theatre. Students will create, perform, respond, and connect with artistic ideas and work through production and design from both a practical and a theoretical base. Theatre safety, group collaboration, creativity, and problem solving are fundamental aspects of this course.

PREREQUISITE:  Introduction to Theatre or teacher recommendation

ACTING

Semester - Grades 10-12

Acting 1 builds on the performance skills initially experienced in Introduction to Theatre. Students will create, perform, respond, and connect with artistic ideas and work through participation in a variety of acting situations, including skills-based exercises, scenes, and monologues. Reading and memorization are necessary components to skillfully develop characterization, motivation, movement, and staging.

PREREQUISITE:  Introduction to Theatre 

ACTING 2

Semester - Grades 10–12

Acting 2 builds on the performance skills initially experienced in Introduction to Theatre and Acting 1. Students will create, perform, respond, and connect with artistic ideas and work through investigation of theatrical genres, cultures, and time periods through research, discussion, skills-based exercises, and performances. Reading and memorization are necessary components to skillfully develop characterization, motivation, movement, and staging.

PREREQUISITE:  Introduction to Theatre and Acting or Teacher Recommendation 

MUSICAL THEATRE

Semester- Grades 10-12

Musical Theatre explores the related disciplines of music and theatre. Students will create, perform, respond to, and connect with artistic ideas and work through solo, duet, and group performances. Students will be introduced to vocal, acting, and movement techniques to develop believable characters and utilize composition to perform in a variety of musical theatre scenarios. Reading scripts and music as well as memorization are necessary components to skillfully develop characterization, motivation, movement, and staging. 

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Theatre with a “C” or higher and 1 year of High School choir or Teacher Recommendation

COMPETITIVE THEATRE

First Semester Only - Grades 10-12

This course introduces the student to the skill of oral interpretation of literature and the competitive aspects of these skills. The students are instructed in the seven "events" as described by the Missouri State High School Association. Students will also be exposed to several forms of literature and will prepare them for presentation. Individualized instruction will be used to direct the student and advanced student to develop unique skills.

PREREQUISITE:  None

COLLEGE CREDIT THEATRE

Second Semester Only - Grade 12

This is an advanced course designed to integrate many forms of the theatre; acting, directing, costuming, make-up, set design, and construction. Students will be responsible for one-act plays to be presented to an assembly of students and assessed by a board of teachers. Evening and after-school participation is mandatory. This course offers students an opportunity to earn three college credits through UMSL for a rigorous study of all the elements involved in drama, performance, and theatre.

PREREQUISITE:  Three of the following courses: Introduction to Theatre, Acting 1, Acting 2, Technical Theatre, or Competitive Theatre PLUS Teacher Recommendation

INDEPENDENT STUDY – THEATRE

Semester - Grades 10-12

Independent Study in Theatre provides an opportunity for students looking to pursue a career in the theatre or further personal knowledge of theatre. Students will create, perform, respond to, and connect with artistic ideas and work through an individual course of study agreed upon by the student and teacher. Students will choose and/or develop a minimum of three theatrical projects and presentations per grading period.

PREREQUISITE:  Teacher Recommendation