THEATRE COURSES
Theatre Arts 1 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This course will introduce students to theatre as both an art form of historical significance and a practical craft requiring a wide variety of talents and practical skills. Through reading, viewing, researching, and presenting, students will experience theatre history, acting and directing, set and lighting design, costume and make-up design and the production process. Practical experiences within the discipline will be an important part of the class.
Theatre Arts 2 (one semester: ½ credit) Open 9-12
Prerequisite: Final grade of B or better in Theatre Arts 1
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course will take a more in-depth approach to study of theatre. Students will be asked to build upon the foundation developed in Theatre Arts 1. Much of this course will be hands-on and will require self-discipline and motivation. Students will get a first hand look at what goes on behind the scenes for a theatre production. They will be asked to work in cooperative learning groups, where students will need to share their expertise and skills to teach, as well as learn, from their classmates.
Speech Communications (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This semester course will take the form of a performance class. Through lecture, demonstration, improvisation, prepared presentation, and critique, students will discover and put into practice the skills necessary for effective oral communications and interpretation of literature. The presentation component of the class will allow students to develop the strategies and skills necessary for a variety of public speaking situations with an emphasis on the dramatic art of oral interpretation. Frequent individual class presentations will be a major part of this class.
Acting 1 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This course is designed for students who want to study theatre/drama with an emphasis on acting. The course will provide training in reading, analyzing, and performing scenes from a variety of works by playwrights and screenwriters. The course will also provide experiences in stage movement, vocal dexterity, and emotional and imaginative expression. Practical experiences within the discipline will be an important part of the class; this includes reading and performing in front of your peers.
Acting 2 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: Final grade of B or better in Acting 1
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course is designed for students who want to study acting in greater depth. The course will provide experiences on stage and examine what goes into a production from the actor’s point of view. Practical experience within the discipline will be an important part of the class. Acting 2 culminates in a final project that focuses on professional and collegiate audition tips & techniques.
Directing (one semester: ½ credit) Open 11-12
Prerequisite: Above average grades in Acting courses and theatre Instructor’s permission
Counts as a fine arts credit only
Directing is an intermediate course that builds upon the foundation of Acting II. The workshop environment is designed to provide the student-director with a high level of experimentation in solving more advanced problems as well as learning the staging skills necessary for directing in any theatre configuration. The objective of Directing is to focus on scene work drawn from contemporary and classical plays. Beginning with silent scene work, and progressing to challenging, contemporary scripted material, Directing culminates in the direction of a one-act play as part of the Theatre at WHS Show Season.
Stagecraft (One semester: ½ credit or entire year: 1 credit) Open 10-12
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 1 & 2 + Instructor’s permission
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course is designed for the student who is serious about all technical aspects of theatre. Each section is individualized based on the needs and strengths of each student. The culmination of the course is witnessed in the final lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, publicity, props, and programs of the fall play or spring musical. The students in this course will also be expected to set up for all events on stage during the school year.
Theatre Arts 1 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This course will introduce students to theatre as both an art form of historical significance and a practical craft requiring a wide variety of talents and practical skills. Through reading, viewing, researching, and presenting, students will experience theatre history, acting and directing, set and lighting design, costume and make-up design and the production process. Practical experiences within the discipline will be an important part of the class.
Theatre Arts 2 (one semester: ½ credit) Open 9-12
Prerequisite: Final grade of B or better in Theatre Arts 1
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course will take a more in-depth approach to study of theatre. Students will be asked to build upon the foundation developed in Theatre Arts 1. Much of this course will be hands-on and will require self-discipline and motivation. Students will get a first hand look at what goes on behind the scenes for a theatre production. They will be asked to work in cooperative learning groups, where students will need to share their expertise and skills to teach, as well as learn, from their classmates.
Speech Communications (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This semester course will take the form of a performance class. Through lecture, demonstration, improvisation, prepared presentation, and critique, students will discover and put into practice the skills necessary for effective oral communications and interpretation of literature. The presentation component of the class will allow students to develop the strategies and skills necessary for a variety of public speaking situations with an emphasis on the dramatic art of oral interpretation. Frequent individual class presentations will be a major part of this class.
Acting 1 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Counts as a fine arts credit only.
This course is designed for students who want to study theatre/drama with an emphasis on acting. The course will provide training in reading, analyzing, and performing scenes from a variety of works by playwrights and screenwriters. The course will also provide experiences in stage movement, vocal dexterity, and emotional and imaginative expression. Practical experiences within the discipline will be an important part of the class; this includes reading and performing in front of your peers.
Acting 2 (one semester: ½ credit) Open: 9-12
Prerequisite: Final grade of B or better in Acting 1
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course is designed for students who want to study acting in greater depth. The course will provide experiences on stage and examine what goes into a production from the actor’s point of view. Practical experience within the discipline will be an important part of the class. Acting 2 culminates in a final project that focuses on professional and collegiate audition tips & techniques.
Directing (one semester: ½ credit) Open 11-12
Prerequisite: Above average grades in Acting courses and theatre Instructor’s permission
Counts as a fine arts credit only
Directing is an intermediate course that builds upon the foundation of Acting II. The workshop environment is designed to provide the student-director with a high level of experimentation in solving more advanced problems as well as learning the staging skills necessary for directing in any theatre configuration. The objective of Directing is to focus on scene work drawn from contemporary and classical plays. Beginning with silent scene work, and progressing to challenging, contemporary scripted material, Directing culminates in the direction of a one-act play as part of the Theatre at WHS Show Season.
Stagecraft (One semester: ½ credit or entire year: 1 credit) Open 10-12
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 1 & 2 + Instructor’s permission
Counts as a fine arts credit only
This course is designed for the student who is serious about all technical aspects of theatre. Each section is individualized based on the needs and strengths of each student. The culmination of the course is witnessed in the final lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, publicity, props, and programs of the fall play or spring musical. The students in this course will also be expected to set up for all events on stage during the school year.
