Enrollment Guidelines for New Theatre Arts students, 2008-2009: PERFORMANCE EMPHASIS

***NOTE*** When a recommended class is full, choose an alternative from those listed as AND/OR for your grade level. Any exceptions to this must receive the approval of both the class instructor and the Division chair.
Remember that Theatre Company counts as 2 Theatre hours.

*FRESHMEN should enroll in 2-3 Theatre hours per semester from among the following courses:
Intro to Acting (full year required)
Elements of Production (Sem. 1; required)
Play Structure and Analysis (Sem. 2; required)
AND/OR Dance for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
AND/OR Song for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
AND/OR Song and Dance Lab (Sem. 2)
AND/OR General Dance (Dance Division class)
AND/OR Theatre Company (Sem. 2 by permission only)

*NEW SOPHOMORES should enroll in at least 4 Theatre hours per semester from among the following courses:
Intro to Acting (full year required)
Elements of Production (Sem. 1; required)
Play Structure and Analysis (Sem. 2; required)
Voice and Diction (Sem. 1)
Oral Interpretation (Sem. 2)
Dance for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
Song for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
Song and Dance Lab (Sem. 2)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR  General Dance
AND/OR   Private Voice Lesson (instructor consent)

*NEW JUNIORS should enroll in at least 4 Theatre hours per semester from among the following courses:
Acting Technique (full year required)
Elements of Production (Sem. 1; required unless basic proficiency demonstrated)
Voice and Diction (Sem. 1)
Oral Interpretation (Sem. 2)
Stage Movement (Sem. 1)
Song for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
Dance for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
Song and Dance Lab (Sem. 2)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR  Play Structure and Analysis (Sem. 2)
AND/OR  Acting Shakespeare (Sem. 2; instructor consent; Senior preference)
AND/OR  Acting:  Musical Theatre (Sem. 2; instructor consent; Senior pref.)
AND/OR  Acting for the Camera (Sem 2; instructor consent; Senior pref.)
AND/OR  Fundamentals of Design (instructor consent)
AND/OR  Independent Study:  Technical Theatre
AND/OR  General Dance (Dance Division class)
AND/OR  Private Voice Lesson (instructor consent)

(NOTE:  1st year Juniors should generally NOT enroll in Directing, as the 1st semester of Elements of Production may be a requirement for them.)

*NEW SENIORS should enroll in 4-5 Theatre hours per semester from among the following courses:
Acting Technique (full year required)
Audition Technique (Sem. 1; Ind. Study by arrangement)
Stage Movement (Sem. 1)
Acting Shakespeare (Sem. 2)
Acting for the Camera (Sem. 2)
Directing (Sem. 1)
Acting: Musical Theatre (Sem. 2)
Theatre Company (by audition only)
AND/OR  Play Structure and Analysis (Sem. 2)
AND/OR Voice and Diction (Sem. 1)
AND/OR  Oral Interpretation (Sem. 2)
AND/OR  Elements of Production (Sem. 1)
AND/OR  Dance for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
AND/OR  Song for Musical Theatre (Sem. 1)
AND/OR  Song and Dance Lab (Sem. 2)
AND/OR  Fundamentals of Design (instructor consent)
AND/OR  Independent Study: Technical Theatre
AND/OR  General Dance (Dance Division class)

*POST-GRADUATES should enroll in 4-5 Theatre hours per semester from the classes listed above; Acting Technique and Theatre Company are requirements for Post-Graduates.

Students may enroll in more than the recommended Theatre hours if they wish, but should seek guidance from counselors and instructors first.

OTHER CLASS OPTIONS FOR THEATRE MAJORS

INDEPENDENT STUDY: 
Directing Practicum   
Grade 12, PG 
Instructor consent

INDEPENDENT STUDY: Theatre Topics    
Grade 12, PG 
Instructor consent

Private Voice Lesson       
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12, PG
(Arranged by audition with Ms. Rohn)

Selected Motion Picture Arts classes     
Grades 11, 12

Selected Creative Writing Classes
Grades 11, 12

All completed schedules must be approved by the Theatre Arts Division Chair and Counseling Services before enrollment is complete.
 
THINGS TO REMEMBER IN THEATRE DIVISION ENROLLMENT:

THEATRE COMPANY:  Participation in season productions, on or off stage, is dependent upon enrollment in Theatre Company. Enrollment in first semester Theatre Company is dependent upon the outcome of the initial audition process occurring before classes begin.  In most years, Freshmen will not be enrolled in Theatre Company in the Fall semester, although occasionally they may add Company 2nd semester depending upon their abilities and performance in Fall academics and arts classes.

Only accepted Theatre Arts majors may enroll in Theatre Company. All Theatre majors above the Freshman level should have 4 Theatre classes per semester to maintain a “major” status. No Theatre student will be allowed to enroll only in Theatre Company without concurrent enrollment in at least 1 other Theatre class. No exceptions.

If you are enrolled in Theatre Company 1st semester, you will be participating on or offstage in that semester’s Theatre productions. If you are enrolled in Theatre Company 2nd semester, you will be participating on or offstage in the remaining Theatre productions.

(NOTE: Theatre Company enrollment is not required to participate in the Spring One-Act Festival or any Theatre class Showcase.)

Theatre students who achieve Theatre Company enrollment 1st semester may reasonably expect to continue their enrollment 2nd semester, provided their attitude, abilities, and commitment to the artistic ensemble maintains an acceptable and positive level. However, students may be removed from Theatre Company at the discretion of the Theatre faculty for academic, disciplinary, or health concerns. Theatre Company assignments (such as casting, design, or crew work) can also be changed or amended within any semester by the faculty for such reasons as those listed above.

As previously noted, 9th graders are generally advised not to enroll in Theatre Company, at least during their first semester of Freshman year; their Acting Technique class, Elements of Production/Play Structure and Analysis, and an additional Theatre elective will be considered a full Theatre load for Freshmen.  There are occasional circumstances when Freshmen are permitted to enroll in Theatre Company for the second semester.

10th, 11th, 12th or PG grade students who are not enrolled in Theatre Company during a semester will be expected to enroll in at least 3 other Theatre hours to maintain their major status. Please consult the attached list of options for appropriate guidelines.

REMEMBER:  a Theatre Major above Freshman level should enroll in 4 Theatre class hours per semester.  Fewer Theatre hours than that must be approved by the Theatre Arts Division Director, and will be considered on a case by case basis.
     

FIRST AND SECOND SEMESTERS

ACTING TECHNIQUE: ANALYSIS, CHARACTER, AND STYLE
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Theatre Majors Only, Instructor Consent
Year Long Course
.50 credits per semester, meets daily
May be repeated for credit

This course constitutes the primary pillar of the Theatre Performance program. Performance students (Theatre majors only) will enroll in this course each year they are in the Theatre Arts program.  Every student enrolled will have the opportunity over the year to work with the Division's acting teachers for exposure to the widest possible range of preparation, rehearsal and performance techniques.  As a sense of ensemble is a fundamental goal of an actor's education, every student will work with an assigned ensemble of their peers that will remain stable over the course of each semester.  Designated areas of instruction will include text and analysis, written work, preparatory techniques, process exercises, theoretrical reading, and scene/monologue rehearsal and performance tasks, each as assigned by the individual instructors.  Incoming 9th and 10th graders may be enrolled in Intro to Acting in lieu of Acting Technique, pending divisional enrollment

Texts vary annually and may include: Acting One, by Robert Cohen; Audition by Michael Shurtleff; Acting Professionally, by Robert Cohen.  Selected readings from Cole and Chinoy, Actors on Acting; Diderot, The Paradox of Acting; Grotowski, Towards a Poor Theatre; Chaikin, The Presence of the Actor; Mamet, True and False; and Fo, The Tricks of the Trade.

 
INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
Grades 9-12
Theatre and MPA students have priority seating
Seating open to non-Theatre majors space permitting, by audition
Course offered Semester 1 and Semester 2
.50 credits per semester, meets daily

Offers students an introduction to the acting process using theatre games, exercises and improvisation. Emphasis on ensemble work as well as working with partners.  Full year required for all incoming 9th and 10th graders in lieu of Acting Technique.

THEATRE COMPANY
Typically grade 11-12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
9th grade students generally do not take Theatre Company
Full year course, 1 credit per semester.  Meets daily

This is a two period class focusing upon performance and production.  Students in this course will be the production personnel for all IAA main stage theatrical productions.  Enrollment numbers per semester are determined by the current season's shows, and the needs of the Division.

SONG TECHNIQUE I/S
Grades 9-12
Theatre Majors only
Course offered by semester
.25 credits per semester, meets per arrangement with instructor.

Individual private voice work with emphasis on musical theatre repertoire. Please consult the Arts Academy tuition schedule for 30 minute private lesson fees.

DANCE TECHNIQUE I/S
Grades 9-12
Theatre Majors Only
Course offered Semester 1 and Semester 2
.25 credits per semester, meets per arrangement with instructor.

Individual private dance work with emphasis on musical theatre repertoire. Please consult the Arts Academy tuition schedule for 30 minute private lesson fees.

THEATRE SEMINAR
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
One Semester course, credit variable, meets per arrangement with instructor

This course is designed to offer special topics on a one semester basis.  Subjects will vary from year to year and may include Musical Theatre, Theatre Management, Period Dance, Readers Theatre, Dramatic Criticism, Children's Theatre, and Acting styles.

INDEPENDENT STUDY
Students interested in pursuing an independent study, must petition the Theatre Division faculty.  The petition must include; rationale for the study, topic and outline of the contents and goals of the proposed study, and methodology for the completion of the work.  Areas of possible work may include directing, research and reading, or specific topics related to the development of theatre art.

FIRST SEMESTER ONLY

AUDITION TECHNIQUE I/S
Grade 12 and Post-Graduate Only
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
First Semester course
.25 credit per semester, meets per arrangement with instructor

This course allows individualized mentoring of senior Theatre Arts majors in their preparation for college, conservatory, or professional auditions.  Focus is on the selection and coaching of six appropriate monologues for practical use in audition situations.  Each student works once a week, one-on-one, with the instructor at a pre-arranged time between noon and 2:00 p.m. on regular class days.  Enrollment is limited.

DIRECTING FOR THE STAGE
Grade 11-12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
First Semester Course
1 credit per semester.  Meets daily

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the principles and practices of staging a play.  Students will learn the technique of creating strong stage pictures through the proper use of focus.  They will also explore the careers of past and present theatrical directors.  They will begin to learn to apply the proper ethics of directing and the correct collaborative skills necessary to becoming a successful stage director.

Texts include:  Play Directing  by Francis Hodge;  Creative Play Direction by Robert Cohen;  
The Director by W. A. Gregory; Play Director’s Survival Kit by Rodgers and Rodgers; 
Directors on Directing by Toby Cole and Helen Krich Chinoy; The Great Stage Directors by
Samuel L. Leiter and “Notes from the Wisdom of Stage Direction” by Charles Suggs.
Students will be required to purchase Play Directing by Francis Hodge.

VOICE/SONG FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
Grades 9-12
Theatre students have priority seating
Seating open to non-Theatre majors space permitting, by audition
Course offered Semester 1
Concurrent enrollment in Acting Technique required
.50 credits per semester, meets daily

This course offers new and returning Theatre students interested in pursuing a Musical Theatre option in their studies a chance to have individual vocal attention relevant to this particular genre.  Students will learn to effectively incorporate singing skills in their acting technique.

Texts:  sheet music and tapes as required by instructor.

STAGE MOVEMENT
Typically grades 11-12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
First Semester course
.50 credit per semester.  Meets daily
May be repeated for credit

This course focuses on the necessary physical preparation of creating a role and preparing a dramatic performance.  It utilizes exercises and approaches from a variety of "physical action" teachers/theorists of acting, including Michael Chekhov, Meyerhold, Boal, Yakim, and Stanislavsky.  In addition, attention is given to the valuable uses of improvisational exercises in the development and understanding of the actor's art.

VOICE AND DICTION
Typically grades 10 -12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
First Semester course
.50 credit per semester.  Meets daily
May be repeated for credit

This course explores the theory and practice of proper vocal production for well spoken English  as based on the work of Edith Skinner and her book Speak With Distinction. The student will learn the principles of standard stage speech by applying the International Phonetic Alphabet.  Students will work on correcting problems of various regionalisms while improving their listening skills to recognize the sounds of well spoken English.  They will build a foundation for learning other English dialects. The class will incorporate an awareness of breath control and its relationship to producing the relaxed natural sound necessary to convey correct emotion and meaning. 

Texts include:  Speak with Distinction by Edith Skinner; American Dialects and Foreign Dialects by Herman; First Principles of Speech Training by Avery, Dorsey, and Sickles and Voice and the Actor by Cicely Berry. 

The student will be required to purchase Edith Skinner’s Speak With Distinction and the audio tape that accompanies it.  They will also need to purchase a mirror and two #2 pencils.

DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
Grades 9-12
Theatre students have priority seating
Concurrent enrollment in Acting Technique required
Seating open to Theatre non majors by Instructor permission/audition
First Semester course
.50 credit per semester.  Meets daily

This course will allow students to exercise physical skills and coordination through the practice of dance methodologies for Musical Theatre.  Students will be instructed in other areas of theatrical dance including styles from different eras.  The course will provide a serious and specifically focused dance opportunity for Theatre majors.

SECOND SEMESTER ONLY

ACTING: MUSICAL THEATRE
Grades 11-12 (Grade 12 Priority)
Pre/Co requisite: Acting Technique
Theatre Majors Only
Course offered Semester 1 and Semester 2
.50 credits per semester, meets daily
May be repeated for credit

This course will address the evolution of Musical Theatre as an art form by examining its relationship to other styles and historical periods of drama.  More importantly, it will address the unique challenges of the genre for the performer through work with scenes, songs, characterizations, vocal work and choreography.

Texts vary annually and may include:  How to Audition for the Musical Theatre by Fred Silver and Staging Musical Theatre by Elaine and Deborah Novak.

ORAL INTERPRETATION
Grades 10 -12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
Second Semester course
.50 credit per semester.  Meets daily

The objective of this course is to enable the student to communicate the intellectual and emotional content of literature to an audience and to encourage enjoyment of their oral tradition.

Texts vary annually and may include: Selected readings and exercises from Aggertt and Bowen, Communicative Reading; Coger and White, Reader's Theatre Handbook; Lee and Gura, Oral Interpretation; and other sources.  The library's resources will be used quite heavily.

ACTING SHAKESPEARE
Grades 11 -12
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
Second Semester course
.50 credit per semester.  Meets daily
.
This course applies all of the skills covered in the three acting classes to the performance of Shakespearean texts.  Skill is demonstrated by student work in scenes, sonnets, and monologues from the Bard's works.

Text:  Collected Shakespeare (Riverside edition)

ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Grade 12 (Grade 11 with instructor consent)
Prerequisite: Theatre or MPA student, one year of Acting Technique or Introduction to Acting.
Second Semester
.50 credit, meets daily
For single-year seniors, exceptions can be considered by the instructor

Students will study the specialized style of acting for the camera; fundamentals of artistic approach will mirror techniques covered in regular acting classes for the stage, with attention given to appropriate adjustments in the scale of an individual performance. Along with the acting of feature screenplays, aspects of the business such as auditioning, series and commercial work, and industrials will also be touched upon. Students will learn the basic approaches of utilizing camera techniques to enhance the truthfulness of their performances

Text:
Cardullo, Gebuld, Gottesman, Woods, Playing to the Camera: Film Actors Discuss Their Craft

SONG AND DANCE LAB
Grades 9-12
Theatre students have priority seating
Seating open to Theatre non majors by Instructor permission/audition
Prerequisite: Completion of one semester of Dance for Musical Theatre and/or Song Technique, exceptions can be considered by the instructor.
Second Semester course
.50 credit per semester, meets daily

This course endeavors to link the skills being covered in the separate Song Technique and Dance for Musical Theatre courses into a team-taught class that will focus on developing the student’s ability to dance and sing simultaneously. Choral numbers from the Musical Theatre repertoire will be staged and rehearsed in addition to come concentration on individual solo work.

DIRECTING:  PRACTICUM – INDEPENDENT STUDY
Grade 12 only
Theatre Majors Only
Prerequisite: Instructor consent, Directing for Stage
Second Semester course
.50 credit per semester, meets per arrangement with instructor

This is a practicum in which the individual directors rehearse and produce a one act play for the senior-directed one-act festival. Each director will meet regularly with the instructor to review progress and to plan the next steps in the process.  Rehearsals for the one act plays are in the evening and over weekends and will not exceed 30 total hours.  Directors will design their own floor plans and sets under the supervision of the instructor. 
. 
PLAY STRUCTURE AND ANALYSIS
Required Grades 9-10
Recommended Grade 11
Theatre students have priority seating
Seating open to non-Theatre majors space permitting, by instructor permission
Second semester course
.50 credits per semester, meets daily

This course enhances the understanding of the creative artist and the skills involved in developing a production from theatrical texts.  The student will learn the principles of script structure and critical analysis of stage plays. This course is constructed to enhance the collaboration between Writer, Director and Designer.  Topics include previous action, plot structure, dramatic style and genre, and the revelation of character and action through dialogue, context and subject.

Texts include Script Analysis for Actors, Directors and Designers by James Thomas and Aristotle’s Poetics.   The student will read selected scripts from various proven productions.  The student is required to purchase Script Analysis for Actors, Directors and Designers by James Thomas.