| 971 DRAMA I
Grades: 9, 10 MINOR ELECTIVE
The course work begins with learning "to speak the speech ...trippingly
on the tongue." We continue with a close study of how the actor
prepares a role using improvisation, scene study and ensemble style
exercises.The class reads many plays together.This class also includes
the study of the roles of actor, director, producer, designer and stage
manager and how they combine in today's theater, television and film.
The final quarter study is dedicated to production work for the Poley
Festival in which every drama student participates.
972 DRAMA II
Grades: 10, 11, 12 MINOR ELECTIVE
This course begins with a focus on the acting and auditioning methods
of Stanislavski, Meisner/Esper and Shurtleff. During the second
semester, the course analyzes dramatic structure looking both at the
style and structure of a playwright’s work. The class continues to
explore how different interpretations effect both direction and
performance. Throughout the year both comedy improv and comic writing
are explored through various exercises. Most of the spring term study
is dedicated to production work for the Poley Festival.
PREREQUISITE: DRAMA I
973 DRAMA III/IV MINOR ELECTIVE
Grades: 11, 12
A year long study of theatrical direction and of advanced acting
methods of the artists:Boleslavsky, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen and
Declan Donnellan make up the contents forthis course. The directing
class will focus on achieving a basic knowledge of the theory of
directing and its application. Each student will choose a directing
project for the Poley Festival in the spring. The acting classes
explore the theatrical ideas of Bertolt Brecht,
Samuael Beckett, and Harold Pinter. During the second semester
discussions concerning the differences between theater and film in
terms of the craft of acting, directing and adaptation occur.
Throughout the year some of the playwrights explored are:
Shakespeare,Williams, Stoppard, Wilson, Mamet, Shaffer, Miller, Frayn,
Lori-Parks and Hare. Every student will experience performance work in
the Poley Festival.
PREREQUISITE: DRAMA I &II
980 DRAMA III/IV READER’S THEATER
MINOR ELECTIVE
Grades: 11, 12
This survey course is designed for juniors and seniors who are
interested in reading plays within a theatrical historical context.
There will be introductory lectures on the evolving styles and the
influence that these playwrights had on each other. The course
curriculum includes the following playwrights: Heany’s adaptation of
Euripides, Commedia Lazzis,
Kabuki, Kyogen and Noh plays, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Moliere, Congreve,
Dickens adapted by Edgar, Ibsen, Chekhov translated by Frayn, Shaw,
Strindberg, Wedekind, Brecht, Pirandello, O’Neill, Wilde, Ionesco,
Beckett, Pinter, Williams, Miller, Hellman, Shaffer, Fugard, Albee,
Stoppard, Wilson, Shepard, Kushner, Susan Lori-Parks, Mamet, Friel, and
Hwang.
PREREQUISITE: DRAMA I &II
970 TECHNICAL THEATER
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 MINOR ELECTIVE
Technical Theater is both a class and an activity that may be taken in
the fall, winter, spring, or all three theater seasons. Students need
to indicate during which seasons they will be participating. Each
season will focus on the technical aspects of the specific production
for that season. Participants will have an opportunity to work on all
aspects of bringing a show to opening night and running a show once it
gets there. There are great opportunities to work on stage painting,
lighting, set building, design, and all the bells and whistles that go
with theater.
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