Thursday 6:30pm – 7:20pm
Drama classes for high school students cultivate creativity, improve communication skills, and build confidence in students. Here’s an overview of what such a class might typically involve:
Understanding Drama:
- Introduction to Drama: Students are introduced to the concept of drama, theatre history, and various genres (comedy, tragedy, melodrama, etc.).
- Elements of Drama: Teaching the basics such as plot, character, theme, dialogue, convention, genre, audience.
- Theatre Terminology: Familiarizing students with theatre terms like stage left, stage right, upstage, downstage, blocking, etc
Performance Skills:
- Voice Training: Exercises to develop vocal strength, clarity, and expressiveness.
- Movement: Physical exercises to help students become aware of their body language and movements.
- Improvisation: Activities focused on thinking quickly and creating scenes spontaneously.
- Acting Techniques: Studying methods such as Stanislavski, Meisner, and others to develop character portrayal.
Script Work:
- Reading and Analysis: Exploring different scripts and learning how to analyze the text for character development and thematic elements.
- Memorization: Techniques for memorizing lines and cues.
- Rehearsal: Understanding the rehearsal process and its importance in preparing for a performance.
Theatrical Production:
- Roles in Theatre: Learning about the various roles involved in a production, such as director, stage manager, set designer, costume designer, and lighting designer.
- Technical Elements: An introduction to the technical aspects of theatre, such as set construction, lighting, sound, and props.
- Performance: Putting on a production, which may be a full-length play, a series of one-acts, or a showcase of scenes and monologues.
Critique and Reflection:
- Viewing Performances: Watching live or recorded performances and learning to critique them constructively.
- Self-Evaluation: Encouraging students to reflect on their own performances and identify areas for improvement.
- Feedback: Learning to give and receive constructive feedback.
History and Theory:
- Theatre History: A survey of theatre history from ancient times to the modern day.
- Theatre Theorists: An introduction to the ideas of key theatre theorists and practitioners.
Collaboration:
- Ensemble Work: Teaching the importance of working together as a cohesive group.
- Trust Exercises: Activities that build trust among members of the class.
- Production Meetings: Planning sessions that mimic real theatrical production meetings.
Drama classes are not only beneficial for aspiring actors but also for students looking to enhance their presentation skills, teamwork, and empathy, which are valuable in any field.