Performing Arts

Dance (9-12)

7654

This is a semester course for both the beginning and more advanced dancers. Dancing for stage encompasses basic ballet and jazz movement, while incorporating tap, hip hop, modern, ballroom and cultural styles. Students will learn a variety of moves and steps from each of these genres; each unit will culminate in a choreographed performance.

IB Dance (11-12)

7818

Prerequisite: Intro to Dance or outside dance experience

This is a class for those having middle to higher level experience in dance. IB Dance focuses on the interplay of the basic elements of dance using intention, form and function. Students focus on the development of the creative aspect of making dances; learning choreographic devices and how they’re used with intentionality. Students investigate and develop a knowledge of several dance styles from more than one culture or tradition. The class culminates with a final showcase production in which each student creates and participates, including lighting, sound, and program notes. This IB course gives students the opportunity to earn potential college credit via internal and external IB assessments.

Introduction to Theatre (10-12)

1746

Students examine all aspects of theatre arts. Students will study the particulars of play production: acting, dance, costuming, set construction, properties, musical theatre, make up, sound and lights. Students engage in reading plays and perform scene work from various works. Students will select projects based upon facets of theatre studied throughout the semester. This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of theatre that is useful in enjoying theatre both as a leisure activity and as a potential career.

IB Theatre I & II (11-12)

7816/7817

This course encourages discovery through experimentation, risk-taking and presentation of ideas. The course is multifaceted and gives students the opportunity to actively engage in theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasizes working both individually and collaboratively. Students have opportunities to explore, learn, discover and collaborate to become autonomous, informed and skilled theatre-makers. Students learn to apply research and theory to inform and contextualize their work. Through researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre, they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world. Students experience the course from contrasting artistic and cultural perspectives. They learn about theatre from around the world, the importance of making theatre with integrity, and the impact that theatre can have on the world. Students discover and engage with different forms of theatre across time, place and culture, thus promoting international-mindedness and an appreciation of the diversity of theatre. This course gives students the opportunity to earn potential college credit via internal and external IB assessments.

Speech (9-12)

7655

This semester course is geared for students who are comfortable speaking in front of people and for those who would like to overcome that fear of public speaking. Activities will involve small group discussion, one on one interviews, group project presentations and individual speeches. Types of presented speeches will be entertainment/comedy, informative, demonstrative, persuasive and possibly a graduation speech. This is a performance class.

Acting (10-12)

1704

This course centers on the basic skills of acting. It includes the actor’s internal preparation for playing a role and the development of external techniques for projecting the role to an audience. Students will work on diction, body awareness and movement, creative character development exercises, and improvisational activities. There will be focus on acting as a career, television, and commercial work, as well as live theater and audition techniques. This is a performance class; projects include presentation of scene work, monologues and one act plays.