Drama
Course Overview
In this class, students will explore the various aspects of theater through hands-on experience. All students will develop specific acting skills through theater games and exercises, as well as through scene work and performances.
Improvisation
An important component of drama is improvisation (or “improv”). Through improv, students learn to think on their feet, creating scenes as they go. They learn character development and how to emote on stage. They also learn to work with others and to really listen to what their scene partners are saying. Finally, they become comfortable with projection, annunciation, and performing in front of an audience.
Scene Work
Students will work together preparing dramatic scenes. They will learn how to memorize lines as well as how to feed off one another in a situation where the text is already set (as opposed to improv). Through scene work, students will get to hone their acting skills.
One Acts
At some point in the year, students will work on staging and performing one act plays. They will use what they have learned through improv and scene work to do so. One act plays will require them to be prepared to act as well as work on lighting, sound, costumes, set design, and even some directing (for any interested senior). These may or may not be performed for an audience of their peers.
Shakespeare
Students will prepare various scenes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to perform in front of Mrs. Leute’s senior British Literature classes during their Shakespeare unit.
Writing
Students will explore the written side of drama, working on developing characters and short scenes and performing them.
Monologues
At the end of the year, students will take all they have learned and apply it to the preparation of a monologue, or a single person performance paragraph or so of text. Monologues are about a minute long and require the student to develop a character, memorize the text, and perform for the class. Students will also rehearse these monologues in front of their peers and engage in a peer critiquing process before the final presentation.
In this class, students will explore the various aspects of theater through hands-on experience. All students will develop specific acting skills through theater games and exercises, as well as through scene work and performances.
Improvisation
An important component of drama is improvisation (or “improv”). Through improv, students learn to think on their feet, creating scenes as they go. They learn character development and how to emote on stage. They also learn to work with others and to really listen to what their scene partners are saying. Finally, they become comfortable with projection, annunciation, and performing in front of an audience.
Scene Work
Students will work together preparing dramatic scenes. They will learn how to memorize lines as well as how to feed off one another in a situation where the text is already set (as opposed to improv). Through scene work, students will get to hone their acting skills.
One Acts
At some point in the year, students will work on staging and performing one act plays. They will use what they have learned through improv and scene work to do so. One act plays will require them to be prepared to act as well as work on lighting, sound, costumes, set design, and even some directing (for any interested senior). These may or may not be performed for an audience of their peers.
Shakespeare
Students will prepare various scenes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to perform in front of Mrs. Leute’s senior British Literature classes during their Shakespeare unit.
Writing
Students will explore the written side of drama, working on developing characters and short scenes and performing them.
Monologues
At the end of the year, students will take all they have learned and apply it to the preparation of a monologue, or a single person performance paragraph or so of text. Monologues are about a minute long and require the student to develop a character, memorize the text, and perform for the class. Students will also rehearse these monologues in front of their peers and engage in a peer critiquing process before the final presentation.