Theater
THEATER IMPROV (Half credit)
This half-credit class incorporates movement-based, vocal, group and solo exercises to explore the building blocks of improvisation and what it means to be a generous and in-the-moment player. There is the potential for work generated in class to be performed in the Winter and Spring Dance/Theater concerts.
PUBLIC SPEAKING (Half credit)
Speaking in public is an opportunity to connect, to educate, to motivate, and to inspire. This course will introduce students to a wide variety of types of public speaking – narrative, informative, symposium, persuasive and impromptu. We will especially focus on the art of communication and connection with an audience by strengthening skills in voice, diction, posture and gesture. Students will prepare a series of solo and group 1-5 minute presentations over the course of the semester. Students will also learn techniques to overcome anxiety about public speaking and self-expression.
FRESHMAN ART PROGRAM
All first-year students participate in the Freshman Arts program that includes a rotation through each visual and performing art discipline. Courses include Artist Bookmaking, Ceramics, Dance, Drawing, Music, Photography, Technical Theater and Theater Arts. We will examine the elements, vocabulary and technical skills involved in each discipline and discover the concepts that inter-connect all creative art forms. Students will learn respect for the intellectual aspects of the arts and will also explore the creativity and different perspectives that are necessary to develop one’s unique, creative voice through a variety of artistic media.
THEATER LAB
Students will learn skills in the areas of Acting, Directing, Design, and Devising by watching and reading a variety of materials and reflecting thoughtfully on an array of theories. Students will work in collaboration to create a fully realized production for performance by choosing a performance script, analyzing it and creating a production concept. This process will be followed by an intensive rehearsal period. Students will be exposed to a variety of styles of theater/performance to deepen their interpretive and creative skills. The first part of the semester will allow students to learn both design and performance skills. Entrance second semester is possible with permission of the instructor.
PLAYWRITING AND DRAMATIC LITERATURE
This course will introduce students to the basic principles and structures of dramatic writing through readings, discussion, and exercises, as well as a brief survey of global dramatic literature. Students will work independently and collaboratively to create a variety of monologues, sketches, and scenes in a wide range of styles.
PUBLIC PERSONA
In this course we will examine the various examples of "living words" throughout history; in other words, how an author's voice becomes public and lives off the page. We will read and analyze examples from the Greek epic poets to contemporary spoken word and hip-hop artists to solo theater artists to documentary film/theater. Students will gain practice in writing in a variety of forms - persuasive speeches, monologues, documentary scripts, and spoken word, among others. Performance opportunities will be available but not required.
FALL MAIN STAGE PRODUCTION
During the fall season, students may opt to participate in theater after the academic day ends. Options include both performance and technical theater. All students are eligible to participate.
WINTER MUSICAL
During the winter season, students may opt to participate in theater after the academic day ends. Options include both performance and technical theater. All students are eligible to participate.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
Past productions have included: “The Children’s Hour”, Zombie Prom”, Goodnight, Desdemona Good Morning, Juliet”, “Lucky Stiff”, Rhinoceros”, “Into the Woods”, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”’ “15 Minute Hamlet”, “Chicago”. as well as original , student devised work.
