Drama & Dance

Major year course. 3 credits. Forms III-VI. No prerequisite.

Creative Dramatics is a workshop course that uses drama as a means of developing creativity and other personal resources. A problem is posed or an “inspiration” is given to the students, which must ultimately result in them developing a short play. Students spend some time brainstorming possible solutions, with the goal of discovering as many options as possible for their play. Students then plan the overall structure of the piece and discuss the characters. With this in mind, students improvise the play, solidify choices through the rehearsal process, and eventually present their final product to the class. Students will often have the opportunity to perform for a larger audience during Lunch-Time Theatre.

Major year course. 3 credits. Forms IV-VI. Prerequisite: Creative Dramatics (formerly Drama 1).

Introduction to Acting is a course that uses character/scene improvisation, as well as the exercises and techniques of Sanford Meisner to develop the actor’s basic resources: imagination, listening, concentration, and “truthfulness.” During the first semester, students will focus on scripted scenes and monologues that reinforce their Meisner work. During the second semester, students will write, produce, and perform 20 “Neo-Futurist” plays in 40 minutes. This Neo-Futurist project will culminate with an evening performance for parents, family, and friends.

Major year course. 3 credits. Forms V-VI. Prerequisite: Introduction to Acting (formerly Drama 2).

Advanced Acting is a course in scene study. During the first semester, students explore acting techniques by studying modern plays (such as Backstory), while working to strengthen their ability to analyze, memorize, and rehearse complex and modern scenes. During the first semester, the students will also work to live truthfully under the imaginary circumstances of the play.

During the second semester, students will take their drama understanding to the next level by creating an original play with their classmates. Students will research a topic, create a script, and memorize and rehearse the play, making adjustments using the criticism of the class. Finally, the original play will be taken “on the road” to local elementary or middle schools in the surrounding area for performances.

Uta Hagen’s classic textbook, Respect for Acting, is the class’ primary resource for both semesters.

Major year course. 3 credits. Form VI. Prerequisite: Advanced Acting (formerly Drama 3).

Play Production is a course for students who have demonstrated a serious commitment to the dramatic arts and who wish to work on the staging of a full-length play. This fully-mounted production gives students a chance to explore a character from beginning (development) to end (performance), develop a logical storyline through scene work, watch it unfold, and give meaning to the process. It is a highly charged class that demands energy, intellectual effort, and culmination of years of effort and skills.

Semester course. 1.5 Credits. Form V - VI. No prerequisite.

Trimester course.1 credit. Meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Conference Period. Prerequisite: For actors in the current fall play or upcoming winter musical.

The course consists of a daily actor’s warm-up, which includes centering exercises, body isolations, rhythmic movements, locomotor exercises through space, and relaxation work. The actors will be led in yoga-styled movements that will stretch, strengthen, balance, and improve their neuromuscular coordination. Depending on the production, the class may explore mask work, a particular style of dance/movement, or character movement. Moving as a character requires the actor to first become self-aware about his or her own movement preferences and points of tension. All movement for acting work is based on increasing the awareness of the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of life and making choices so the student actor can walk in another person’s (character’s) shoes.

Major Year Course. 3 Credits. Forms III - VI. No prerequisite. 

The Theatrical Design & Technology course is a year-long, studio experience that explores the methodology and practice of contemporary scenic, costume, and lighting design. This comprehensive introduction covers the skills and techniques needed to conduct research, design space, serve character, and express nuance found in dramatic literature through personal point-of-view, response, and script analysis. The course will also serve as an introduction to the various techniques and workflows available for supporting the design process including: drafting, rendering, fabrication, and scale model making. Practicum and class projects will build on these technical skills, culminating in theoretical designs that demonstrate fluency in theatrical conventions and lexicon.

Major year course. 3 credits. Forms III-IV.

This course is open to anyone who loves to move. Whether you are a trained dancer, an athlete, or someone who locks the door and poses in front of the mirror, this course will develop the dancer in you.

Students take class in comfortable clothes with the feet bare. They learn to create and perform their own dances. They explore dance in terms of body parts and shape, energies, actions, space, and relationships. They incorporate these values into choreographed warm-ups, guided movement explorations, and group improvisations. Then, combining this work with the input and skills of class members, they create dance pieces that are shown daily, weekly, or monthly. Ideas for dances may be chosen by the teacher or students. The year culminates in a formal dance showing by student choreographers with costume, music, and movement all selected by the students.

Benefits of creative dance include increased ease of movement as new and more efficient muscle patterns are developed, improved self-image (because moving enhances and enlivens the positive feelings of the body), and relief from stress.

Students may elect this class to fulfill an Arts or a Fitness requirement for one, two, or three trimesters.