Open to all forms

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course exposes students to the essential aspects of acting, and emphasizes acting as technique rather than emotion. Students study plays and selected scenes by Ibsen, Chekhov, Shakespeare, and Williams, and other more contemporary playwrights. They explore:

• expanding vocal techniques;
• physical alignment;
• theatrical make-up;
• stage combat;
• script analysis; and
• the First Folio technique of performing Shakespeare.

Time permitting, students attend at least one professional theatrical production during the course.

Open to IV, V, VI Form students

Prerequisite: Acting 1 or instructor permission

Semester-long Half-credit elective

Essentially a continuation of the Acting 1 class, this course delves deeper into the techniques of acting, focusing on script and character analysis as well as directing and improvisation. Student work is more individual and performance more frequent. By the end of the first semester, students will have three audition-quality monologues ready for performance and possible videotaping for college applications.

Open to IV, V, VI Form students, and III Form students with Instructor permission

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course will make it possible for students who excel and focus on one performance genre (singing, acting, dancing) to broaden the depth of their work in others artistic areas. Coursework will include body mechanics, movement quality, stage presence and improvisation, instruction in all genres of dance, partner and group dance, improvisation and props, the Laban Technique, timing and dialogue, healthy vocal habits, sight singing, and private voice lessons. The course will conclude with a final solo performance by each student comprised of two songs, a pre-choreographed dance and an improvised dance, and a theatrical monologue.

Open to All Forms

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course focuses on the fundamentals of speaking in public. Coursework seeks to enhance students' ability to use effective and engaging vocal dynamics and strategies, including:

• emphasis;
• pace;
• pitch;
• tone;
• volume; and
• clarity.

Assignments include:

• experimenting with famous speeches;
• conducting interviews;
• preparing persuasive advertising;
• sonnets;
• theatrical monologues; and
• impromptu speaking.

The course also explores techniques for calming and masking the nervous habits often provoked by public performance.