Overview

This course is for theatre students who wish to deepen their understanding of the dramatic arts. Students will learn experientially by researching and making applications in theatre history, exploring advanced techniques of voice and movement, developing improvisational skill, critiquing plays, developing characters, analyzing scripts, and directing. The course will culminate in a series of student directed performances.

Units

1) Unit 1: The Audition  
- Introduce basics of audition preparation and poise
- Students will prepare and perform two monologues of contrasting style

Unit 2: Theatrical Analysis
- Students will be exposed to both Professional and Educational theatre
  opportunities and learn the art of being an audience member as well as
  awareness of elements of design in a full production

Unit 3: Theatrical Design
- Fundamentals of Scenic Design
- Students will apply a basic understanding of historical period and style to create
  their own scenic design.

Unit 4: Directing
- Introduction to the fundamentals of directing and blocking
- Instruction in rehearsal management
- Performing in scenes focusing on acting objectives and character response

Final Exam  
- Student will perform in a series of student directed scenes cumulating as their final
  project

Requirements

Students will be expected to actively engage in the art of acting and develop their   role as active and supportive audience members.  Students will also be expected to attend at least one theatrical performance outside of class (NHHS performance or a professional performance with specific consent) and write a critical analysis of the elements of production.

Course Methods & Resources

Konstantine Stanislavski

Lee Strasberg

Stella Adler

Sanford Meisner

Viola Spolin

Bertold Brecht
     Kristen Linklater

Major Projects

Unit 1

Contrasting Monologue Performance

Unit 2

Theatrical Analysis

The Phantom of the Opera  
     Show Dates: TBD
    

Unit 3

     Scenic Design Project

Unit 4
     Cumulative Student Directed
     Performances

Grading

Homework & Classwork – 20%
     Participation – 40%
     Projects / Presentations - 40%

Quarter 1 - 40%
     Quarter 2 - 40%
     Final Project -20%