THEATRE

Lower School – Principles of Acting
This course explores the principles and basic techniques of acting in a safe and comfortable environment, including the fundamentals of self-expression, stage movement, speech, and audition techniques. Relaxation, focus and memory exercises are an integral part of developing the skill of the actor.  A great emphasis is placed on making strong creative choices in original scene work and exercises.

Lower School – Acting Technique and Expression
This course builds on the foundations of technique and expression to explore structured dramatic activities in a highly creative environment. Students will hone improvisational and character development skills and will create original theatrical pieces through scene creation, image theatre, and process drama. Students will be introduced to contemporary as well as classical dramatic pieces.

Lower School – Acting Scene Study
TBD

Lower School – Technical Theatre
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the world of theatre – backstage and behind the scenes. The students begin their journey through the world of technical theatre by gaining an understanding of the purposes for the theatrical design process, such as creating specific environments, moods and time periods for the performances. They continue by examining the design process from script analysis through research, conceptualization and execution of the design. The students focus on the areas of scenographic drafting, set design, costume history and design, lighting technology and design, as well as sound technology and design.  Through lecture, discussion, multimedia presentation, 2d and 3d design projects and practical, hands-on experience the students learn the basics in the major areas of stage design. The students are also strongly encourage to attend the “Build Days” during which they are guided through the construction and painting processes of technical theatre while building and dressing the sets for the theatre department productions.

Lower School -- Puppetry
One of the oldest art forms, puppets (including figurines) exist in practically every culture throughout the world. This course explores this exciting and fascinating art form by examining different styles of puppets and puppet performance. The students begin by looking at simple hand and finger puppets including the tradition of market and seaside puppet performance in the form of Punch and Judy. They then move on and explore soft-body, moving-mouth puppets in the form of muppets. Exploration continues by examining rod puppets in the tradition of the bunraku of Japan, the various types of European marionettes and the shadow puppets of Southeast Asia. In order to facilitate this exploration in this course, the students participate in discussion of puppet types and performance, view films of the different types of puppetry performance as well as design, build, and perform with their individual creations. In the creation of these puppets the students have the opportunity to work with a variety of materials including wood, Styrofoam, fabric, and clay. They learn to collaborate as a group in order to write and create an original performance for their individual puppets.
Lower School – Creative Writing
This course explores the world of words, the power of language and the art of writing creatively. The students work to discover and create the balance of environment, character, plot and action placement, and dialogue essential to building a comprehensive, cohesive and interesting work of short fiction. Assignments include working in several different creative genres including (but not exclusively) long and short fiction, poetry, dramatic monologue/dialogue, and episodic (comic book style) writing. Each assignment is geared towards developing the skills and techniques to write cohesive, descriptive, short stories alive with dialogue and character development. The course also includes a intensive poetry workshop (usually around the winter holidays).

Upper School – Acting Character Study and Motivation
This course provides an in-depth study of the art of acting.  Students continue to hone and apply skills in vocal production, physicality on stage, and scene work.  Additionally, students go into a further exploration of character study through extensive scene work from published plays, structured dramatic activities and original scene and monologue creation.  Students delve into acting techniques and approaches as designed by greats such as Stanislavski, Meisner, Adler and others. Students continue to self-reflect and reflect on the work of others from an articulate, constructive and informed standpoint. Please note:  Due to the performance-based nature of this class, MEMORIZATION is a key element.  Students are required to learn lines OUTSIDE OF CLASS in order to maximize class time for rehearsal and discussion.  Students are provided with memorization techniques which will aid in this endeavor.

Upper School – Acting Scene Study
This course offers an in-depth study of published works in varying categories of drama.  Students study drama structures and styles of classic through modern plays.  Character creation is a primary focus of this class and students participate in various exercises and activities which aid an actor in the creation of a fully-developed character.  In addition to assignments chosen by the instructor, opportunities are given for students to choose their own scene work and partners.  Students are also be given the option of directing classmates in scene work as the year progresses. Please note:  Due to the performance-based nature of this class, MEMORIZATION is a key element.  Students are required to learn lines OUTSIDE OF CLASS in order to maximize class time for rehearsal and discussion.  Students are provided with memorization techniques which will aid in this endeavor.

Upper School – Improv and Experimental Theatre
This is a pre-professional level acting course that allows students to build and expand their individual repertoires and portfolios, to develop pieces that are fascinatingly complex and show a broad range of ability. Students will work on advanced improvisation techniques and exercises; they will also work on advanced acting pieces to be filmed for individual portfolios. Students will compare different styles and methods of acting as they develop their own stylistic techniques.

Upper School – Shakespeare Studies
Nearly 400 years after his death Shakespeare remains one of the most produced playwrights in history. This course explores the reasons behind this reputation by looking closely at the text of the plays and the performance practices and techniques of both Shakespeare’s time and the modern adaptations of the works. The course introduces the students to world of Shakespeare, examines the history and context of his life and his plays, and explores the performance of his plays. The students read, analyze and discuss the plays. They also work through and perform sonnets, soliloquies and scenes from Shakespeare’s folio.

E-mail: theatre@palcs.org