Performance Classes
All completed schedules must be approved by the Theatre Arts Division Chair and Counseling Services before enrollment is complete.
THINGS TO REMEMBER IN THEATRE DIVISION ENROLLMENT:
Theatre Company: Participation in season productions, on or off stage, is dependent upon enrollment in Theatre Company. Enrollment in first semester Theatre Company is dependent upon the outcome of the initial audition process occurring before classes begin. In most years, Freshmen will not be enrolled in Theatre Company in the Fall semester, although occasionally they may add Company 2nd semester depending upon their abilities and performance in Fall academics and arts classes.
Only accepted Theatre Arts majors may enroll in Theatre Company. All Theatre majors above the Freshman level should have 4 Theatre classes per semester to maintain a “major” status. No Theatre student will be allowed to enroll only in Theatre Company without concurrent enrollment in at least 1 other Theatre class. No exceptions.
If you are enrolled in Theatre Company 1st semester, you will be participating on or offstage in that semester’s Theatre productions. If you are enrolled in Theatre Company 2nd semester, you will be participating on or offstage in the remaining Theatre productions.
(NOTE: Theatre Company enrollment is not required to participate in the Spring One-Act Festival or any Theatre class Showcase.)
Theatre students who achieve Theatre Company enrollment 1st semester may reasonably expect to continue their enrollment 2nd semester, provided their attitude, abilities, and commitment to the artistic ensemble maintains an acceptable and positive level. However, students may be removed from Theatre Company at the discretion of the Theatre faculty for academic, disciplinary, or health concerns. Theatre Company assignments (such as casting, design, or crew work) can also be changed or amended within any semester by the faculty for such reasons as those listed above.
As previously noted, 9th graders are generally advised not to enroll in Theatre Company, at least during their first semester of Freshman year; their Acting Technique class, Elements of Production/Play Structure and Analysis, and an additional Theatre elective will be considered a full Theatre load for Freshmen. There are occasional circumstances when Freshmen are permitted to enroll in Theatre Company for the second semester.
10th, 11th, 12th or PG grade students who are not enrolled in Theatre Company during a semester will be expected to enroll in at least 3 other Theatre hours to maintain their major status. Please consult the attached list of options for appropriate guidelines.
REMEMBER: a Theatre Major above Freshman level should enroll in 4 Theatre class hours per semester. Fewer Theatre hours than that must be approved by the Theatre Arts Division Director, and will be considered on a case by case basis.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSES – PERFORMANCE
Major Status
Admission as a Theatre Arts Major is contingent upon either an audition or a portfolio presentation, along with an interview. Under normal conditions, a Theatre Arts major of sophomore level or higher should schedule at least four hours of Theatre Arts Division classes per semester, subject to approval by the Director.
GUIDELINES FOR ENROLLMENT IN THEATRE CLASSES
New Freshman should enroll in 2-3 Theatre hours per semester from among the following courses:
Acting Technique (required)
Elements of Production (First semester: required)
Play Structure and Analysis (Second semester: required)
AND/OR Dance for Musical Theatre (1st semester)
AND/OR Song/Dance Lab (Second semester)
Acting Technique (required)
Elements of Production (First semester: required)
Play Structure and Analysis (Second semester: required)
Voice and Diction (First semester)
Oral Interpretation (Second semester)
Dance for Musical Theatre (First semester)
Song/Dance Lab (Second semester)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR Song Technique I/S (instructor consent)
Acting Technique (required)
Elements of Production (First semester: required unless proficiency demonstrated)
Voice and Diction (First semester)
Oral Interpretation (Second semester)
Stage Movement (First semester)
Song: Musical Theatre (by semester, instructor consent)
Dance for Musical Theatre (First semester)
Song/Dance Lab (Second semester)
Song Technique I/S (instructor consent)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR Play Structure and Analysis (Second semester)
AND/OR Acting Shakespeare (Second semester; instructor consent; Senior preference)
AND/OR Acting for the Camera (Second semester; instructor consent)
AND/OR Directing for the Stage (First semester; instructor consent)
AND/OR Fundamentals of Design (instructor consent)
AND/OR Independent Study: Technical Theatre
Acting Technique (required)
Audition Technique (First semester; Ind. Study by arrangement)
Stage Movement (First semester)
Acting Shakespeare (Second semester, instructor consent)
Acting for the Camera (Second semester)
Directing (First semester)
Song: Musical Theatre ( by semester; instructor consent)
Song Technique I/S (instructor consent)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR Play Structure and Analysis (Second semester)
AND/OR Voice and Diction (First semester)
AND/OR Oral Interpretation (Second semester)
AND/OR Elements of Production (First semester)
AND/OR Dance for Musical Theatre (First semester)
AND/OR Song/Dance Lab (Second semester)
AND/OR Fundamentals of Design (instructor consent)
AND/OR Independent Study: Technical Theatre
OTHER CLASS OPTIONS FOR THEATRE MAJORS
Independent Study: Theatre Topics
Grade 12, PG
Instructor consent
Grades 11, 12
Instructor consent
Grades 11, 12
Instructor consent
Course Title: Acting Technique
Target students by: Theatre Majors grades 9 through Post Graduate
Pre-requisite, if needed: Theatre Major status
Number of times course can be taken: multiple by instructor recommendation
Seating priority: Theatre Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: daily
This course provides the foundational studio experience for all Performance majors in the Theatre Division. Students are divided into four class sections to work with individual Acting faculty members and a select ensemble of peers for the entire school year, with the opportunity to work with a different teacher for every year that they are a Major at the Academy. Basic exercises from primary theorists are intermixed with ensemble improvisations and analytical and practical work with assigned dramatic texts.
Objectives:- To establish a strong sense of commitment and self-discipline in the young artist's approach to acting technique
- To encourage in the student a full exploration of the wide range of approaches to acting and acting vocabulary that have evolved from the basic Stanislavsky technique over the past century
- To instill in the young actor a respect for the importance of textual analysis and contextual imagination in preparing creative work
- To foster a respect for collaboration and ensemble work with fellow theatrical artists
- Committed participation in assigned exercises, written analyses, and creative class activities
- Reading, comprehension and intelligent discussion of assigned texts and plays
- Rehearsals (both in and out of class) of assigned scene and monologue work
- Healthy participation in verbal discussions and critiques of creative class work
- Quality of written assignments
- Able performance/presentation of assigned scenes and monologues
- Satisfactory participation in class discussions, evaluations, and ensemble/collaborative exercises
- Demonstrated healthy and positive individual responses to critical processes
Various theoretical texts and playscripts as assigned by individual instructors Notebook/journal and writing materials
Course Title: Theatre Company
Target Students: All levels (9th graders may enroll dependant upon the balance in the division and the special needs of the production season)
Pre-requisite: Instructor consent, Audition
Number of times course can be taken: Multiple
Seating Priority: Theatre Majors Only
Credit per semester: 1.0
Meeting time: Daily
This serves as the primary “lab course” for the Academy Theatre Division, allowing students to utilize the skills that they are evolving in their other theatre curricular offerings. Division students actively participate in all facets of the practical preparation of theatrical productions to be presented to audiences of the school community as well as the general public.
Objectives:- To offer the students opportunities in the public production of scripts chosen from a wide range of world dramatic literature, designed and staged at a professional level of quality
- To offer the students a wide variety of experiences in all aspects of theatrical production both onstage and backstage, thereby enhancing their appreciation of the total collaborative experience of the art of theatre
- To build an appreciation of the importance of teamwork and ensemble in a practical production setting
- To re-enforce the importance of individual self-discipline and focus in the realization of assigned collaborative tasks
- Students will perform assigned roles in a theatrical season consisting of 5-6 fully produced shows from established classical and modern dramatic repertoire
- Students will complete directed crew assignments in the mounting of shows from the production season
- Students will participate in studio and ensemble work and workshops with guest artists, faculty and student directors throughout the year
- Students will perform as cast in various student-produced MPA projects throughout the year
- Positive and successful creative collaboration by the student in all assigned roles, preparatory crews, running crews and supervisory responsibilities given throughout the production season
- Positive and successful collaboration by the student in all assigned collaborative projects with the MPA Division throughout the academic year
- Successful application by the student in a practical production setting of the artistic concepts and the standards of discipline and work ethic as presented in the various studio classes of the Theatre Division’s curriculum
- Copies of the dramatic texts utilized in the productions in which the students are cast and/or assigned to work
- Notebook/journal and writing materials
- Appropriate clothing for rehearsals and/or work in the various technical shops
Course Title: Song Technique I/S
Target Students: Grades 9-12
Pre-requisite, if needed: Theatre Majors only
Credits per semester: .25 credits per semester.
Meeting Time: Course offered by semester; meets per arrangement with instructor
Individual, private voice work; emphasis on preparing musical theatre repertoire.
Consult the Arts Academy tuition schedule for 30 minute private lesson fees.
FIRST SEMESTER ONLY
Course Title: Audition Technique
Target students by: Senior Theatre Arts Majors
Pre-requisite, if needed:
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: Weekly
Audition Technique provides students the opportunity to create quality audition material through individual appointments with the instructor. Each student will be required to have six monologues prepared and ready to be performed by the end of the semester. These pieces will work together to form ‘packages’ consisting of a mix of comedy and drama, classical and contemporary, in a way that will showcase the student’s individual strengths. Each student will meet with the instructor in a weekly 25-minute session. Students are required to identify the pieces on their own, although the instructor will give advice on appropriate material selection. This is a student-driven course.
Objectives:- Students will develop a wide range of quality audition material
- Students will increase knowledge of ways to find new material
- Students will create strong audition packages in preparation of upcoming auditions
- Students will learn successful audition strategies
- Performance and progress of each monologue week by week
- Final presentation of all six required pieces
- Weekly participation and preparation
- Overall growth of each of the required six pieces
- Final presentation of all monologues worked on in class
There is no required text for this class, although students will be guided to materials in our library and may wish to purchase scripts on their own.
Course Title: Directing
Target students by: grades 12-PG
Pre-requisite, if needed: None
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating priority: Theatre majors only
Credit per semester .50
Meeting time: Daily
This class will provide the student with the basic directing techniques needed to direct a play. We will explore composition, terminology and the ethics of good stage directing. We will learn to recognize the various theatrical styles and their influence on directing choices. We will learn to break a script down using Units, verbs and arrival points.
Student Performance:- Outside reading assignments to prepare for class discussions
- Ability to retain and use information provided for written assignments and oral presentations
- Will demonstrate a comprehension of the various approaches to play analysis for directors
- Will demonstrate the ability to create aesthetically pleasing stage pictures
- Written assignments, tests and quizzes over materials covered and outside assignments
- Participation in class discussions
- Presentation of oral reports
- Class pictorial exercises, neatness and organization
- Francis Hodge Directing (required purchase)
- Suggested supplemental material drawn from: Directing by Robert Cohn
- The Elements of Style by Michelle St. Denis
- Directors on Directing by Toby Cole
- The Great Stage Directors by Samuel Leiter.
Course Title: Voice/Song for Musical Theatre
Target Students: Grades 9-12 (Strongly recommended for 11th grade)
Pre-Requisite if needed: Instructor consent
Number of times course can be taken: Multiple, with instructor permission
Seating Priority: Majors only, non-majors with Instructor permission
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily
This course offers new and returning Theatre students interested in pursuing a Musical Theatre option in their studies a chance to explore basic techniques of breathing, voice production, and ear training and the use of those skills in a Musical Theatre repertoire. Students will also do song analysis to incorporate acting and music skills in solo and ensemble presentations.
Objectives:- Proper posture, breathing and vocal support
- Ear training, singing in an ensemble, harmonization
- Knowledge of character and circumstances in selected songs
- Integration of acting and singing
- Active participation in warm-up exercises for body and voice
- Learn individual vocal parts, then put them together as part of an ensemble
- Research the show and character of music selected
- Present the text of chosen song as a monologue
- Posture and breathing is assessed on a daily basis during warm-up exercises
- Degree of success in executing vocal parts in a selected ensemble piece
- Students must give a specific description of the character in their chosen song and circumstances leading up to and through the chosen song
- Ability to apply and make adjustments from monologue exercise to the music
sheet music and tapes as required by instructor.
Course Title: Stage Movement
Target students by: Seniors preferred, Juniors considered by Instructor Consent
Number of times course can be taken: 2
Seating priority: Theatre Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: Daily
The course focuses on the physical preparation for creating a role and preparing a performance, utilizing techniques and methodologies of Michael Chekhov, Anne Bogart, Moni Yakim, Augusto Boal, and Stanislavsky.
Objectives:- To introduce the young actor to the techniques of utilizing space and physicality
- To increase the actor's comfort level with improvisation and spontaneity in ensemble studio work
- To reinforce the discipline of individual reflection and analysis of the creative process through journal writing
- To practically apply techniques of physical characterization to the expression of text
- Disciplined approach to all exercises and classroom activities
- Completion of individual and partnered creative work projects as assigned
- Appropriately thoughtful journal work covering each class/work session
- Final performance of two contrasting characters reflecting successful use of techniques explored in daily class activities
- Observation and evaluation of individual commitment to daily class activities
- Evaluation of student's ability to work effectively with various partners and ensembles
- Evaluation of written journal work -Observation and evaluation of final characterization project
- Kelly R. McEvenue The Actor and the Alexander Technique
- A bound journal or notebook
- Appropriate comfortable clothing for the class activities
Course Title: Voice and Diction
Target students by: Theatre Majors
Pre-requisite, if needed: None
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating priority: Theatre majors followed by non-majors
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: Daily
The goals of this class are to improve the student's spoken performance by learning to speak with distinction. We will learn the rules for well spoken English and apply them through class exercises and outside assignments. The student will improve their ability to be understood in performance and their ability to listen and reproduce the correct sounds of well spoken English.
Objectives:- Learn and use the International Phonetic Alphabet
- Learn and apply written transcription
- Improve listening skills and gain an awareness of the vocal instrument
- Improve the young actor's spoken performance and audition skills
- Improved spoken English
- Improved ability to hear and reproduce the correct sounds of well spoken English
- Ability to learn and apply the International Phonetic Alphabet in written and spoken form
- Daily class participation and practice and the ability to practice outside class
- 6 Written transcription quizzes and a comprehensive written test.
- Spoken performance final
- Class participation and improvement of speaking skills
- Ongoing transcription projects and ability to work outside class to improve
Edith Skinner Speak with Distinction by both the book and the accompanying CD (Required)
Course Title: Dance for Musical Theatre
Target Students: Grades 9-12, Theatre
Pre-Requisite if needed: dance experience is good but not mandatory
Number of times course can be taken: multiple
Seating Priority: Theatre Majors have priority, other placement dependent on space availability and Instructor approval.
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily
This course will allow students to exercise physical skills and coordination through the practice of dance methodologies for Musical Theatre. Students will be instructed in various dance styles (ie. Jazz, tap, ballet). The course will provide a serious and specifically focused dance opportunity for Theatre Majors.
Objectives:- Learn proper warm ups and basic technique
- Gain knowledge of the proper dance terms and their translations
- Basic dance steps and combinations
- Confidence and knowledge in order to be more successful when auditioning
- Be present and punctual
- Be dressed properly
- Work hard
- Take chances
- Execute proper warm ups
- Building of strength, flexibility and control
- Assessment of preparedness to learn (ie. Proper shoes)
- Execution of combinations.
Dance shoes and clothes. Hair pulled off face
SECOND SEMESTER ONLY
Course Title: Acting: Musical Theatre
Target students by: Grade 12-Post Graduate, grade 11 considered
Pre-requisite, if needed: Concurrently in Acting Technique
Number of times course can be taken: May be repeated with instructor permission
Seating priority: Theatre Arts Majors only, unless granted permission by instructor
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: daily
Description:
This course will explore the utilization of the acting process through song. It will address the unique challenges of the genre for the performer through work with scenes, ensemble and small group songs, characterizations, vocal work and choreography. This course culminates with a showcase of selected material performed during Festival at the end of the school year.
Objectives:- Proper posture, breathing and vocal support for projection of text and song
- Knowledge of character and circumstances in selected scenes and songs
- Integration of acting and singing
- Rehearsal discipline and responsibility to an ensemble
- Active participation in warm-up exercises for body and voice
- Learn individual scene text, vocal parts, and movement/choreography; then put them together as part of an ensemble
- Research the show and characters of music selected
- Posture and breathing is assessed on a daily basis during warm-up exercises
- Degree of success in scene memorization and demonstration of character understanding
- Execution of vocal parts and movement/choreography in music
Course Title: Oral Interpretation
Target Students: Grades 9-PG(Strongly recommended for 11th grade)
Pre-Requisite if needed: Instructor consent
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating Priority: Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily
This course enables the student to interpret text in order to communicate the intellectual and emotional content of literature to an audience orally.
Objectives:- To grasp the fundamentals of analyzing and interpreting text
- To learn a specific method for scoring text
- To practically apply text and character analysis, along with scoring of text for the purpose of illuminating content, structure, and style
- To explore the use of language as it is used in literature in order to enhance and improve oral delivery
- Select appropriate textual material for each of 4 categories
- Thoroughly score each of their four selections according to the method taught by the instructor
- Practice oral delivery of each piece twice in front of instructor and class for coaching and feedback
- Final presentation of piece orally in a formal setting at a podium
- Demonstrated familiarity with scoring, terminology, concepts
- Demonstrated ability of student to apply these methods
- Successful student performances of each of the 4 projects
- Active class participation
Students are required to select their own material
Course Title: Acting Shakespeare Course
Target students: Seniors preferred, Juniors considered
Pre-requisite: Instructor Consent
Number of times course can be taken: 2
Seating priority: Theatre Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: daily
This course applies the major principles of acting theory covered in the Acting Technique classes to the texts of Shakespeare. Students are challenged to develop a practical methodology for joining together modern naturalistic performance theory to the special demands of heightened language and verse drama
Objectives:- To grasp the fundamentals of analyzing and speaking the texts of Shakespeare, including appropriate attention to rhythm, metaphor, scansion, and antithetical phrasing and emphasis
- To practically apply text and verse analysis to the illumination of character behavior
- To gain a basic familiarity with many of Shakespeare's major works
- Presentation of a detailed written analysis of a Shakespearean verse passage, displaying skills learned in the class
- Performance of a Shakespearean sonnet
- Performance of an assigned Shakespearean scene or scenes
- Demonstrated familiarity with all Shakespearean texts that students are individually assigned to work with
- Instructor evaluation of student's written verse analysis
- Demonstrated ability of student to apply precepts of verse analysis to character behavior onstage
- Successful student performances of assigned scenes and sonnets
- Participation in class discussions and critiques as appropriate
The Royal Shakespeare Companies Edition The Complete Works by William Shakespeare
Notebook and writing materials
Course Title: Acting for the Camera
Target students by: Grade 12-Post Graduate, grade 11 considered
Pre-requisite, if needed:
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating priority: Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Arts majors
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: Daily
Students will study the specialized style of acting for the camera through exercises and scene work. Fundamentals of artistic approach will mirror and reinforce techniques covered in acting classes for the stage, with attention given to appropriate adjustments in the scale of an individual performance. Students will learn approaches of utilizing camera techniques to enhance the truthfulness of their performances.
Objectives:- Students will develop an appreciation for the craft of acting for the camera
- Students will acquire core understandings to help them transition their technique from stage acting to on-camera acting
- Students will develop a new level of comfort and confidence in their on-camera work Students will gain a perspective and appreciation for acting traditions for both stage and screen
- Performance in on-camera exercises
- Daily in active class discussions and crewing on shooting days
- Performance in television commercial assignment
- Performance in a film scene
Daily participation in discussions, in on-camera exercises, and as a crew member
Overall growth and understanding of the craft of acting for the camera
Final film scene -Final paper (comparing and contrasting approaches to on-camera acting by three significant actors).
Bert Cardullo, Harry Geduld, Ronald Gottesman, and Leigh Woods, Playing to the Camera: Film Actors Discuss Their Craft
Course Title: Song and Dance Lab
Target Students: Grades 9-PG (Strongly recommended for 11th grade)
Pre-Requisite if needed: Instructor consent
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating Priority: Theatre Majors only, Non-Majors upon instructor permission
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily
This course is designed to link the skills being covered in the separate Song for Musical Theatre and Dance for Musical Theatre courses into a team-taught class that will focus on developing the student’s ability to dance and sing simultaneously. Choral numbers from the Musical Theatre repertoire will be learned vocally and fully choreographed.
Objectives:- Proper posture, breathing and vocal support and their similarities between voice and dance
- Maintaining breath control for good vocal production while dancing
- Vocal parts and choreography for selected ensemble pieces
- Develop an awareness of space and sound and their relationship to the ensemble
- Active participation in warm-up exercises for body and voice
- Learn individual vocal parts and dance steps separately
- Combine vocal parts and choreography
- Posture and breathing is assessed on a daily basis during warm-up exercises
- Degree of success in executing vocal parts and choreography
- Ability to make adjustments/corrections
Course Title: Directing Practicum – Independent Study
Target students by: grades 12-PG
Pre-requisite, if needed: Directing Class (semester 1)
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating priority: majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: multiple times per week
In Directing Practicum selected Directing students from the Directing class will cast, rehearse and present a one act play using the techniques learned in Directing class.
Objectives:- Direct a one act play
- Communicate with actors
- Practice rehearsal and production skills
- Organize and prepare with supervision a production for an audience
- Casting, process of rehearsals
- Will organize and conduct required rehearsal
- Will communicate with actors and the production team effectively
- Will keep an ongoing journal of the process through production
- Preparation done on schedule in a timely manner
- Written journal kept for every rehearsal and an essay of the results of the performance
- Ability to stay on schedule, organize and produce
- Final presentation of a one act play
Francis Hodge Directing
Purchased copy of the play the student will direct
Course Title: Introduction to Acting - Non-Majors
Target students by: Open to all grades
Pre-requisite, if needed: Desire to learn acting
Number of times course can be taken: Multiple by instructor recommendation
Seating priority: Non-Majors
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting time: Daily
Introduction to Acting guides students to an understanding of the craft of acting through their participation in a wide variety of theatrical exercises. Each day begins with a series of warm-up activities designed to stimulate the imagination and encourage exploration of vocal and physical freedom. These skills will be further developed through improvisation exercises and scene work.
Objectives:- Students will develop an appreciation for the craft of acting
- Students will acquire core understandings to establish a foundation for further training
- Students will express themselves with greater physical and vocal range in performance settings
- Students will learn how to apply essential acting concepts (objectives, actions, given circumstances) in scene work
- Daily in warm-ups and exercises
- Through improvisation work throughout the semester
- Through in-class work sessions of scene assignment
- Final presentation of scene
- Daily participation -Overall growth as an actor
- Final scene presentation
- Final paper (a summary of what the student has learned and how his/her perception of the craft of acting has changed)
No required texts. Some readings from instructor supplied material.
Course Title: Play Structure and Analysis
Target Students: Grades 9-PG (Strongly recommended for 11th grade)
Pre-Requisite if needed: Instructor consent
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating Priority: Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily
Play Structure and Analysis is a critical thinking and writing class. The students will learn the various styles of plays and what makes them so. They will be graded on their ability to write critical papers analyzing the works we explore. They will be exposed to many great works by great playwrights and gain a deeper understanding of the structures and reasoning that made these plays great.
Objectives:Students will learn the styles of Comedy, Tragedy, Melodrama, Farce and Theatre of the Absurd and develop the means of dissecting them in order formulate their ideas into strong written essays.
Student performance:- Student performance in class is based on active discussions, participation in the group readings of proven classic theatrical works and what makes them “tick”.
- Learning to express their ideas in a structured manner is the primary performance goal of students who will take this class.
- Their performance progress will also be graded upon tests over the covered materials.
- Written papers
- Testing
- Class participation
- Outside reading
Thornton Wilder, The Skin of Our Teeth
Eugene Ionesco, 3 Plays
Lee Strasberg, Best American Plays of the 1950s
