2009-2010 Drama Instruction
Basic Theatre Anatomy: Chris Koch, Teacher
Basic Theatre Anatomy is a prerequisite for the Advanced Level Theatre Production courses.
The Anatomy of a Character
Through study, games and interactive exercises, students will learn to “examine” bold choices and stronger characters. This very hands-on approach will allow students to experiment with character make-up, costume choices, accents, posture, background, relationships, culture and psychology.
The Anatomy of a Monologue and an Audition
Through study and practice, students will “dissect” a variety of monologues, create monologues, and learn a basic approach to the audition. Students will have the opportunity to enter their best monologues in our Annual Drama Festival Competition in May.
Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:00am, Chapel or Thomas
This daytime course begins on January 26. Following the Anne of Green Gables production, an evening course will also be offered on Thursday evenings.
Annual Registration Fee: $50 per family (new students only) / Tuition: $18 per week
Beginning Level Theatre Productions: Chris Koch, Drama Director
These beginning level productions are designed to introduce students to the world of theatre and acting, giving them the opportunity to build some foundational skills. Developing strong characters, preparing for a role, working with objectives, learning and using some of the basic stage terminology are just some of the many things the student will learn in these classes. Each class will culminate in a small production, a celebration of the students’ learning and growth.
The class is open to everyone. Those who have had acting classes will still enjoy these productions, as they are an opportunity to strengthen and to practice what you have been learning in some really wonderful shows.
Snow White: Retold
This course is open to students of any age who are able to read independently.
Who am I? What is my self worth? Who will I allow to give me the answers to these questions? This is all examined in the story of Snow White: Retold. The characters lend themselves well to the telling of this version-- a queen who needs a mirror to tell her who she is, dwarves who are mostly little in their own eyes, and a girl who was meant to be queen, easily deceived into sleeping it all away. Add a True Prince who has overcome death, and a few more characters in need of rescuing, and you have a beautiful story that will touch and challenge the hearts of us all.
Tuesday, 9:30am-12:00pm, Chapel
Annual Registration Fee: $50 per family / Tuition: $18 per week
Performance: Tuesday, January 19, 2:00pm and 7:00pm
The Invitation
For ages 11 and up.
“You’re invited to…” begins the invitation that each of the guests receives, but each is completed slightly differently. The guests all come to investigate at the most amazing mansion they’ve ever seen and to meet the host they’ve allegedly never known. Shortly after their arrival, however, and before meeting him, the host dies. A detective arrives. More mysteries are uncovered. All concludes unexpectedly, but wonderfully, for this is an evangelical mystery.
Tuesday, 6:00-8:30pm, Begins September 15
Annual Registration Fee: $50 per family / Tuition: $18 per week
*Performance: Friday and Saturday, December 11 & 12, 7:00pm
*The Invitation will be part of a Dessert Theatre held in the gym. Voice students of Esther Kulp will also provide entertainment that evening.
Advanced Level Production: Chris Koch, Drama Director
This year we are introducing the advanced level production. This course is designed to address the needs of our students who have taken our Basic Theatre Anatomy course, done several productions, and are ready to progress further in their studies and development. Students will continue to develop their acting skills and techniques, adding new elements as they work on a full length production.
Anne of Green Gables
Prerequisite.
Anne of Green Gables is the tale of the imaginative red-headed orphan girl who comes to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, who expected to adopt a boy. Despite many adventures and mishaps, Anne eventually endears herself to the pair and to the farm town of Avonlea. Did the Cuthberts save an orphan girl in desperate need of family and friends or did the kindness and vivacity of an orphan girl change them and indeed an entire town? This is a sweet, poignant, full-length production that will be enjoyed by all.
Thursday, 5:30-8:30pm, Chapel, Begins September 17
Annual Registration Fee: $50 per family / Tuition: $20 per week
Performance: March 12-13, 7:00pm
Creative Drama for Students with Autism: Heather Krause Smith, Teacher
For students ages 7-15 on the autistic spectrum and at least one parent. Siblings are encouraged to attend.
Aim of Class: This class has a two-fold purpose. First and foremost, this class is designed to enhance communication between autistic students and their families as well as to help students build relationships and communication with other students. Secondly, through the disciplines of art and creative drama, the goal is to help students find their “voice” through expression and creativity. This voice could manifest itself verbally or physically. Max: 10 autistic students along with their families
Class Structure:
- Arrival and Opening
- Art Project—For the first 15 minutes of class, we will have an art project to ease the students into the class. Each week we will do a different art project in which we will create a prop or costume piece that will be used during our imagination journeys.
- Warm-up
- Physical and Vocal Warm-up—The students will be led in a vocal and physical warm-up that is fun, silly, and repetitious.
- Main Activity
- Imagination Journey—Each week we will read a story. After the story has been read, we will go on a journey where we will act out the characters and the situation described in the story. We will also incorporate the art project into this activity.
Each element of the class is designed to inspire the students and the ultimate goal is for the students to recreate moments of play throughout the week. This could be as simple as repeating the warm-up at home. It could also mean that the student plays with the prop made during the art project segment and that inspires them to communicate with others or to engage in creative play.
Wednesday, 10:45-11:45am, Thomas
September 23—November 18 (8 weeks)
Annual Registration Fee: $50 per family / Tuition: $12 per week / Supply Fee: $20
Acting for Seniors: Heather Krause Smith, Teacher
For anyone 65 and older.
This class is designed to encourage theatrical creativity in senior adults. There are no requirements for this class, just a willingness to have fun and take risks! The class will culminate in a short live performance for family and friends, which might include a radio play, monologues and scenes written by the students about their life experiences, and/or a review of sketches. Max: 20
Wednesday, 9:00-10:30am, Chapel
September 23—November 18 (8 weeks)
Annual Registration Fee: $35 or $50 per couple / Tuition: $12 per week