Classes
“School theatre is a place where students can become someone other than who they are on the way to becoming who they will be."
- Howard Sherman
(Arts Administrator and Producer Communications, Marketing and Branding Consultant Theatre Advocate)
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CURRENT CLASSES
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Drama 1
(period 1)
DRAMA I (9, 10, 11, 12)
Year Course/10 Credits
Prerequisites: None A class designed to give students a basic overview of Dramatic Arts.
In Drama 1 students will engage in a broad overview of acting styles/techniques. Students will study the language and vocabulary of theater and will be able to analyze and critique theatrical performances. Students study theater history and learn the major components of technical theater. Students have the opportunity to audition for the Fall Play, Dinner Theater, Improv Team, Spring Musical, May show and some Acting Festivals.
Type of course: Elective; meets 10 credits of Fine Arts or 10 credits of Applied Arts graduation requirement.
Meets the CSU/UC category “F” entrance requirement.
Advanced Drama
(period 5)
ADVANCED DRAMA (10, 11, 12)
Year Course/10 Credits
Prerequisites: Drama I with a grade of “B” or better or teacher permission (audition may be required) Must maintain grades of C- or better in all classes (May be repeated)
Designed for the student who is interested in performing, production, and in developing acting skills and an increased understanding of theatre and film. Advanced Drama is a one-year course focusing on public performance, play analysis and appreciation, technical theatre and filmmaking, and theatre history. The course includes practical, critical, theoretical, a nd cultural content and will place an emphasis on creative expression, aesthetic valuing, and text/character analysis, and will require the reading of play texts and attendance at theatrical performance.
Public performance in school productions, festivals, etc., is a major part of the course. Most rehearsals and performances take place outside normal school hours. Students are eligible to audition for all public performance opportunities and all festivals and competitions.
Type of course: Elective; meets 10 credits of Fine Arts or 10 credits of Applied Arts graduation requirement.
Meets CSU/UC category “F” entrance requirements.
Stagecraft
(period 4)
STAGECRAFT (9, 10, 11, 12)
Year Course/10 Credits
Stagecraft is an introductory course, which explores the backstage world of theatre. Students will investigate several areas of production and design from both a practical and a theoretical base.
Students will be given the opportunity to learn about the following areas of technical theatre production:
• Theatre and Shop Safety
• Scenic design fundamentals and set
construction
• Use and operation of the
counterweight (fly) system
• Technical aspects and basic
operation of lighting technology
• Technical aspects and basic
operation of sound technology
• Scenic painting
• Use of properties on stage and
construction
• Theatre History
• Explore career opportunities in the
realm of theatre.
Demonstrations and discussion will be an essential part of the class day making appropriate student participation very important. All students will be given the opportunity to apply skills acquired in the class, during the productions that occur at Walnut High School. Students are encouraged to take an active role in all productions, and will be required to participate in at least one after school event.
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PLANS FOR FUTURE CLASSES
(in the next year or two)
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Intermediate Drama
INTERMEDIATE DRAMA (9, 10, 11, 12)
Year Course/10 Credits
Prerequisites: Drama I with a grade of “B” or better and/or teacher permission
This course is designed for the student with some theatre performance or other backstage experience. The emphasis is on acting and production. Characterization and advanced improvisation are studied; there is further study of theatre history; there is some technical theatre and production management work.
Students may participate in festivals and competitions, and they will participate in the production of scenes and/or one-acts for public performance. Students will be required to read play texts and attend theatrical performances. Students may be eligible to audition for any show or festival, the Improvisation team, dinner theatre, holiday show (if produced), some children’s theatre, festivals, and the fall play / spring musical.
Type of course: Elective; meets 10 credits of Fine Arts or 10 credits of Applied Arts graduation requirement.
Meets the CSU/UC category “F” entrance requirements.
Drama IB/HL/Theatre Studies
Recommendation for enrollment: acceptance to the IB Diploma Program or Fine Arts requirement for Honor students.
Student must be enrolled for two years for IB HL credit.
Designed for the student who is interested in theatre from both a practical and an academic standpoint.
The course includes the study of multiple aspects of theatre including performance, backstage work, textual play analysis, theatre history and dramatic theory.
Students will keep a reflective portfolio and complete projects which include research in addition to acting, design, and/or directing.
For IB students, emphasis will be placed on all requirements for successful completion of HL course of study.
Type of course: Elective; meets 10 credits of Fine Arts or 10 credits of Applied Arts graduation requirement.
Meets the CSU/UC category “F” entrance requirements.
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