High School Acting Class

This course will explore the basic rules of improvisation, analyzing and building a character, creating original performances, performing Shakespeare and exploring musicals.

First students will be able to explore their own talents by learning various theater techniques and writing some pieces on their own. Each week we'll start class by playing an improvisation game to build comfort with working as an ensemble and making creative acting choices. We will then explore a new theater concept each week.

Part I.- Creating Theater

Week of 6/5- Students will explore how Theater prepares us for the real world along with examples. They will also learn tools for Success in Theater

Week of 6/12- Interview Theater- Students will watch a Clip of an Interview Theater Play, Prepare to Write an Interview Theater Piece and Perform Their Interview at the end of class. 

Week of 6/19- Living Newspapers- Students will take a newspaper article, broadcast or broadcast episode that shows people celebrating themselves, their family or their culture and create poems based off of the articles as well as a series of writing prompts. They will perform their poems at the end of class

Week of 7/3- Monologues- Students will watch the teacher perform a monologue, watch one on film and craft one of their own that tells a significant story from the character's perspective.

Week of February 11th- Sketch Comedy/Song Parodies- Students will watch a song Parody and Sketch Parody Piece, discuss key details and try to create one on their own.

Part II. Performing Theater: Improvisation and Shakespeare

Week of 7/19- Students will be able to explore fundamental rules of Improv, explore these concepts through the Yes, Let’s and What are You doing Games. They will also be able to practice Shakespearean Insults and a Choral Reading

Week of 7/26-Students will review and learn new rules of Improvisation then explore these concepts by playing, This is a What and Gift Scenes to practice giving and offering ideas as gifts to move scenes forward. They will also be able to read through Romeo and Juliet in Assigned Roles.