Academy Classes

Class Listing

September 2008 to June 2009
F=FALL   W = WINTER   S= SPRING

The Curriculum: Teaching life skills through stage skills.

Creative Drama Curriculum: Preschool - K - 1st & 2nd Grades Creative Drama builds fundamental theater skills while enhancing the development of life skills. Students imagine, enact, and reflect upon improvised situations with an emphasis on conflict resolution theater games, creative movement and voice, students come to understand theater, themselves and the world in which they live.

Core Classes: Grades 3-12th For beginning to advanced actor training. Classes focus on "Method Acting" techniques: actors use the 7 steps to building a character; learn to make choices, discover inner actions, physical actions, subtext, emotions, perceptions and motivations. The curriculum strives to develop in each performer a strong acting technique to face any acting challenge.

Components of Academy Curriculum: "Creative Drama" · Acting Technique · Creative Movement · Voice and Speech · Improvisation · Play Study · Classical Scene Study · Musical Theater · Design · Playwriting · The Theater Ensemble

CLASS DESCRIPTION

CREATIVE DRAMA ADVENTURES

Preschool-K-1st       Level: Beginning and Returning Students

Step into your favorite stories as we use creative drama to bring them to life. Students are guided through dramatic activities that encourage self-expression, concentration, cooperation and discussion. The class emphasizes telling the story, creating dialog, action and characters. Each sessin will culminate with a scene showing, showcasing a classic story for family and friends using minimal props and costumes. The Open House will be on the last day of class.

Students will learn:

• The procedure for producing a play
• To work in an ensemble environment
• Learn cooperation and team building skills
• Improve communication skills

THE ACTING STUDIO 101

Grades K-2nd; Grades 3rd-5th; Grades 4th-8th       Level: Beg-Intermediate

Students explore acting technique focusing on learning the tools for creating realistic three dimensional characters for the stage. Actors in this class study vocal, physical and emotional characterization. This class in on-going training and may be repeated. Each session will culminate with a Open House - "Showcase" for family and friends using minimal props and costumes on the last day of class during regular class period.

Students will learn:

• Progress from basic to advanced actor training
• Build self-confidence and self-esteem
• To interpret a script
• Use intuition to develop a believable character
• To enjoy performing for self as well as for others
• Develop self-discipline

ALDER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER CLUB

Middle School Students who attend Alder Creek Middle School in Truckee       Level: Beg. to Advanced
Pre-Requisite: Interview with Director

Students explore scripts while expanding their performing arts skills in voice, movement, characterization, and acting technique. The ensemble will work together to create theatrical productions based on classic stories to present in public performances for schools, libraries and special events. This program is for the committed theater student.

Students will learn:

• to fine-tune their acting technique
• to interact with actors and directors in a professional manner
• to take responsibility in all areas of production
• to work within a troupe to dedicate themselves fully to the completion of a project.

"AT THE IMPROV"

Level: Beginning - Intermediate

Spontaneity, imagination, humor and group collaboration are all found for building improvisation skills. In this class, students will learn the basics of ensemble work as well as individual performance as they give their imaginations over to the wonderful world of improv. Each session will culminate with a Open House - "Showcase Performance" for family and friends using minimal props and costumes on the last day of class during regular class period.

Students will learn:

• To strengthen actors instincts to react quickly
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Develop ensemble team building skills
• Problem solve
• Use their imaginations to create improvisations
• Ability to have fun!

"ON BROADWAY! MUSICAL THEATER"

Level: Beginning - Intermediate

Students will experience the excitement of musical theatre while receiving training in voice, theatre and dance. Voice training focuses on tone production, diction, projection, interpretation and other vocal techniques while dance will be taught in partnership with the vocal music. Instruction in theatre skills will include character development, stage direction, vocal inflection and physical expression. The session culminates with a theaterical musical using costumes, props and sets on the last day of class.

Students will learn:

• Builds skills in communication through voice and body
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Develop ensemble team building skills
• Improve vocal techniques
• Develop dance and movement skills
• Apply skills to a theaterical performance