Suggested Age

10-18

Purpose

This fun and engaging course is designed to teach fundamental acting skills through instruction, exercises and games, and scene development, and will culminate in an end-of-year performance for the public. The student will develop his ability to express himself confidently and joyfully, nurturing his self-esteem while at the same time inspiring a love of classical literature.

Topics to be covered are

1. Golden Rules of Theatre
2. The Theatrical Cue
3. Staying in Character
4. Sense Awareness and Memorization
5. Mime and Pantomime
6. Improvisation
7. Elements of Good Drama
8. Voice for the Stage
9. The Art of Characterization
10. Staging the Play

Course Requirements

Homework assignments to be prepared for class will include an action mime, a recitation, and a character study, and students will be required to memorize their lines according to a schedule.
Once we begin preparing scenes or staging a play-let in the Spring, attendance at all classes and rehearsals will be extremely important. Additional rehearsals may be necessary in preparation for the end-of-year performance, and students may want to participate in outside-of-class opportunities for set construction and design.
Students will not receive a grade for Theatre, but they will get credit for the course based on the following criteria:
1. Class attendance
2. Class participation and attentiveness
3. Completion of all homework assignments and preparedness for class.

Materials

Students will need to bring a binder to hold scripts and handouts, pencils, and a highlighter. Each student will be responsible for his own costume. However, plenty of help and counsel will be available. Any props or set pieces needed will be made, borrowed, and/or purchased out of tuition proceeds.