Theater

Theater I introduces students to the fundamentals of acting and character construction as a gateway to understanding the complex world of theater and drama. Students begin by exploring the theatrical space and how to effectively manipulate the setting to convey a message to an audience. Our study will then move through the process of building well-rounded, realistic theatrical characters, establishing a foundation in Stanislavsky-based method acting. Students will participate fully in an actor’s workshop approach, rehearsing and performing multiple monologues and scenes from classic and contemporary scripts, culminating in the public performance of “The Perfect Scene.” Throughout the course, students will also explore areas of improvisation, script analysis, directing, playwriting, voice and physical training, stage management, and scenic design. Additionally, students will learn about theater from around the world and study how plays and theatrical productions can be used in different contexts, outside the walls of a traditional theater, for entertainment, education, and social change.

In this course, students will discover the fundamentals of improvisational comedy and explore the role of comedy in society. Through their work on stage and off, students will improve their storytelling skills, work collaboratively on scene construction, and learn how to effectively craft comedic dialogues. Students will experiment with different performance styles and stagecraft, working collectively in both long-form and short-form improvisation. In pursuing an action-based approach to improvisation, each individual will grow to master the “Yes and …” technique, develop a group Harold, and become proficient in a variety of Improv Games. During the second half of the course, students will view, read, and interpret key works of comedy and reflect on their social and historical influence. Each student will learn the basics of three-act dramatic structure and create a series of effective sketches, emulated after current and past sketch-based shows, such as Saturday Night Live, Monty Python, The Carol Burnett Show, and Key and Peele. Finally, through a creative writer’s room approach, the class will work collaboratively to write, revise, and critique a series of original scenes in an effort to develop a complete mock-SNL episode. (This class is cross-listed with VI Form English)