SCHOOLS
Drama Courses Offered
680 Acting I
.5 credits
A fast paced workshop format designed to develop and strengthen acting,
observation and listening skills, through exercises in creative movement,
improvisation, creative dramatics, pantomime and theater exercises. The
central focus of this beginning level class is to build ensemble within
the class and begin to reflect on our own inner resources as an actor. The
structure of the class breaks down into 75% on your feet and 25% in your
seat! Text - Stage and the School
(Semester course, open to grades 9,10,11,12)
681 Acting II.5 credits
Building on the skills developed in the Acting I class, student actors
will investigate character work, scene writingand performance, movement
exercises, varieties of drama, trust exercises and solo performance
skills.
Prerequisite: Acting I
(Semester course, open to grades 9,10,11,12)
691 Acting and Play Study I.5 credits
The workshop format continues in this class intended for the serious
student of Acting. Using the fundamental staught in Acting I and 11 the
student actor will expand his training to include the teachings of
Stanislavski, Sanford Misner and Lee Strasberg. Elements of these new
techniques will be applied in scene study and monologue work as well as
through the study and review of one professional stage performance.
Prerequisite: Acting I and II
(Semester class, open to grades 10, 11, 12)
692 Acting and Play Study II.5 credits
Using the techniques mastered in Acting and Play Study I student actors
will analyze, research and perform scenes and monologues representative of
several genres and periods in history. Works to be studied and performed
cover Greek Theater to Contemporary comedies and dramas. Students will
also design their personal theater portfolio that will include two
contrasting monologues, an actor's headshot, resume, and interview
techniques.
Prerequisite: Acting and Play Study I
(Semester class, open to grades 10,11,12)
682 Advanced Acting I CP1.5 credits
Building on the previous acting classes this advanced class strives to
complete the actor's portfolio with an emphasis on direction and design.
Students will. perform in several in-class scenes as well as tour with
several productions directed by the Advanced Acting 11 students. Some tour
options include a children's theater production, a middle school
production and an evening of scenes. Students in this class will expand
their theater knowledge base to include elements of set design, light
design, costume design and stage management skills. Students will also
expand their theater base by reading and evaluating one play each term and
preparing a monologue to add to their portfolio.
(Semester course, open to grades 11,12)
683 Advanced Acting II CP1.5 credits
This culminating theater class at the high school will introduce the
acting student to the world of directing. Each member of the class will be
encouraged to choose, cast, stage, design and direct a one act play and/or
scene. These performances will be performed for a public audience.
Advanced Acting students will also present their portfolios for review
each term and will participate in weekly college audition prep class.
Special events include participation in the State Shakespeare Festival and
a Master class in auditioning provided by the Massachusetts High School
Drama Guild.
Prerequisite: Advanced Acting I
(Semester course, open to grades 11,12)
684 Music Theater I.5 credits
This course is designed for the performance level student who wants to
work in musical theater. The student deals with some elements of
performing, singing and stage movement/dance as required for particular
genres of musical theatre. MT-I will focus on the various contributions of
many compose r/l yricists of the Broadway stage, including such notables
as Kern, Herbert, Rodgers, Hammerstein, Kander, Ebb, Porter, Sondheim and
Rice to name a few. An occasional class session will be devoted to vocal
practice, dance and the viewing or studying of musical comedy scripts. The
class will strive to produce in class-shortened vignettes and musical
selections representative of the onset of this art form up to the present
day. Reviews and critiques will be assigned. This course is team taught by
the Music and Theatre Arts staff.
(Semester course, open to grades 9,10,11,12)
685 Music Theater II.5 credits
This course is a continuation of Music Theatre 1
(Semester course, open to grades 9,10,11,12)
Performance Workshop.5 credits
Building on performance skills developed in either Acting 1 & 2, or
Musical Theatre 1 & 2. Performance Workshop students move through the
process of rehearsing and performing a play, as well as designing and
creating costumes, props, and sets for the production. The focus of this
class is Children's Theatre and ends with performances at several
Framingham elementary schools and at the Middle School Theatre Exchange,
promoting community outreach.