"Drama 9 - Acting Beginner" is a fun and exciting course where we review some basics that we learned in Drama 8 rotation and then move into lots of scene building and character building through imaginative improvisation, drama games and rehearsal. The main focus of the course is the development of basic acting skills in the areas of characterization, movement, voice, improvisation/theatre sports, scene building, and introductory script work. Exercises and activities are aimed at improving students’ confidence in a positive, supportive atmosphere. The course finishes with a summative one-act class play performance for parents to watch in our theatre. This course prepares students for success in our Drama - Acting Intermediate class the following year.
Course Rationale:
Drama is a discipline that originates in the impulse to depict experiences, communicate an understanding of these experiences, and give them form and meaning. It has evolved over time to include a variety of forms and techniques. Drama education provides opportunities to examine human experiences through imagined roles and situations and to value the essential contribution of drama to the quality of life.
Program Units: (the order of units may change)
Outline of Course Content:
Drama provides students with opportunities to examine the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions of themselves and the world. Drama focuses on expression, trust and critical analysis. It also offers students opportunities to develop diverse dramatic skills to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. Drama reflects and affects the aesthetic, cultural, historical, and global contexts in which it exists. It is also applicable to a variety of career and life situations.
This class will prepare you for:
Drama - Acting 10 Intermediate
or
Drama - Acting 10 Advanced
Assessment and Evaluation:
Students will be assessed in a variety of ways: one on one interviews, self/peer evaluations, & teacher observations of work. All assessment is based on criteria clearly stated to the student at the beginning of each lesson and unit/project.
Active Learning Performances (100%) - Made up of two different types:
- Formative Process Performances/Learning Activities -
These are the in class performances that you create throughout the year. They will usually be the ‘less rehearsed’ pieces that we do in our class. They will follow the “Know, Do, Understand” model and use the creative process. These should help prepare you for our summative performances.
- Summative Performances -
Each term you will be given major projects / performances. These will usually be, but are not limited to, the final performance in a unit that we are studying.
Drama 9 Class – Student Learning Roadmap
Staging Basics:
· Know & Apply Stage Directions
· What is Picturization
· How to Block a Scene on Stage
· Build Focus on Stage / Mental Discipline
· Cheating Out/Opening Up/Suffering Up/Staying Grounded
· Actor Stage Awareness
Vocal Exploration:
Used to tell stories, create characters, and communicate the character’s emotions & subtext. Using the following language manipulation tools:
· Pitch
· Pace/Tempo
· Pause
· Tone
· Stressing Select Words
· Annunciation/Articulation
· Volume/Projection
· Stage Whisper
Movement & Physical Exploration:
Used to tell stories, create characters, and communicate the character’s emotions and subtext. Using the following physical manipulation tools:
· Space (direct/indirect) and movement patterns
· Weight (strong/light)
· Time (sudden-quick/sustained)
· Flow (bound/free)
· Pace (fast/slow)
· Pauses (stillness/movement)
· Levels (high/low)
· Character Walks
· Basic Mime Actions
· Gestures & Facial Expressions
· Using Space
Acting Techniques:
Emotional Believability Through:
· Objectives - In the moment Objective (ITMO)
· Actions/Tactics
· Obstacles & Stakes
· Beats
· Actor as a Detective (GC’s & Actor Choices)
· Character Status vs. Power
Ensemble Techniques:
· Intensity = Energy + Focus (Commitment to the Moment)
· Chemistry & Trust Development
· Team Work
· Listening (action/reaction) Techniques
· Relaxation
Improvisation:
· Making & Accepting Offers
· Advancing
· Character Development
· Endowing
· Impulse/Association/Energy
· Storytelling/Narration
· Long Form Harold / Theme Event
Course Rationale:
Drama is a discipline that originates in the impulse to depict experiences, communicate an understanding of these experiences, and give them form and meaning. It has evolved over time to include a variety of forms and techniques. Drama education provides opportunities to examine human experiences through imagined roles and situations and to value the essential contribution of drama to the quality of life.
Program Units: (the order of units may change)
- Ensemble Building - Drama Games
- Staging Basics – Pre-Blocked Scene
- Improvisation & Characterization
- Movement & Voice
- Storytelling, Scene Creation & Performance
- Acting Technique – Stanislavski Intro
Outline of Course Content:
Drama provides students with opportunities to examine the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions of themselves and the world. Drama focuses on expression, trust and critical analysis. It also offers students opportunities to develop diverse dramatic skills to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. Drama reflects and affects the aesthetic, cultural, historical, and global contexts in which it exists. It is also applicable to a variety of career and life situations.
This class will prepare you for:
Drama - Acting 10 Intermediate
or
Drama - Acting 10 Advanced
Assessment and Evaluation:
Students will be assessed in a variety of ways: one on one interviews, self/peer evaluations, & teacher observations of work. All assessment is based on criteria clearly stated to the student at the beginning of each lesson and unit/project.
Active Learning Performances (100%) - Made up of two different types:
- Formative Process Performances/Learning Activities -
These are the in class performances that you create throughout the year. They will usually be the ‘less rehearsed’ pieces that we do in our class. They will follow the “Know, Do, Understand” model and use the creative process. These should help prepare you for our summative performances.
- Summative Performances -
Each term you will be given major projects / performances. These will usually be, but are not limited to, the final performance in a unit that we are studying.
Drama 9 Class – Student Learning Roadmap
Staging Basics:
· Know & Apply Stage Directions
· What is Picturization
· How to Block a Scene on Stage
· Build Focus on Stage / Mental Discipline
· Cheating Out/Opening Up/Suffering Up/Staying Grounded
· Actor Stage Awareness
Vocal Exploration:
Used to tell stories, create characters, and communicate the character’s emotions & subtext. Using the following language manipulation tools:
· Pitch
· Pace/Tempo
· Pause
· Tone
· Stressing Select Words
· Annunciation/Articulation
· Volume/Projection
· Stage Whisper
Movement & Physical Exploration:
Used to tell stories, create characters, and communicate the character’s emotions and subtext. Using the following physical manipulation tools:
· Space (direct/indirect) and movement patterns
· Weight (strong/light)
· Time (sudden-quick/sustained)
· Flow (bound/free)
· Pace (fast/slow)
· Pauses (stillness/movement)
· Levels (high/low)
· Character Walks
· Basic Mime Actions
· Gestures & Facial Expressions
· Using Space
Acting Techniques:
Emotional Believability Through:
· Objectives - In the moment Objective (ITMO)
· Actions/Tactics
· Obstacles & Stakes
· Beats
· Actor as a Detective (GC’s & Actor Choices)
· Character Status vs. Power
Ensemble Techniques:
· Intensity = Energy + Focus (Commitment to the Moment)
· Chemistry & Trust Development
· Team Work
· Listening (action/reaction) Techniques
· Relaxation
Improvisation:
· Making & Accepting Offers
· Advancing
· Character Development
· Endowing
· Impulse/Association/Energy
· Storytelling/Narration
· Long Form Harold / Theme Event