PERFORMING ARTS

 

MUSIC 1                                                                                                               

 

Lon E. Plynton

This course is for beginning musicians and those who feel they may be interested. We will learn about scales, chords, rhythms, meters, music terminology and basic theory.   We will study different music genres and learn how to create and appreciate music of many cultures.

 

MUSIC 2                                                                                                               

Lon E. Plynton

 

We will develop ensemble technique as we learn to create musical products. We will study live performance as well as recorded medium. This will provide an opportunity for students to explore musical concepts through ensemble involvement in creating a group production.  You must get instructor approval before enrolling and be willing to bring your instrument to class.

 

“WHAT’S YOUR STORY?”

Phil Goldman

When was the last time you got credit for talking about yourself?

Tell us your story. We’ll listen. This course is based on the storytelling show “Live Bait: True Stories from Real People,” in which participants get up on stage and tell their true, personal stories (no acting, no script, no notes: just like telling your friends). Not only will you get a chance to talk about yourself in class uninterrupted, in front of a rapt audience of your fellow students, but you will learn, through a variety of theatre, writing and mind/body exercises, how to shape and how to tell an effective, entertaining story.

Throughout the course, you’ll be learning about yourself, your habits and your patterns of behavior. Your stories are your personal adventures and myths; how you act in them reveals your character.  When you tell these stories, you’ll see how they may have changed you and your perceptions.

Students will be expected to complete three stories, both written and performed by the end of the course.

 

IMPROV                                                                                   

Casey Seymour Kim

Do you love watching Whose Line Is It Anyway and wish you could jump up there and play, but the idea of Improvisation scares you to death?  Don’t worry about being funny, brilliant or particularly engaging.  This course focuses on learning the basics of successful improvisation:  teamwork, listening, offers and acceptance.  Beginning with exercises, the class will then move on to tackle the theatre sports and games like those seen on television.  The overall goal will be to explore the role improvisation plays in creating characters and scenes.  Improv is a collaborative art, so we’ll be doing a lot of work together. Mutual support and respect will pave the way for a lot of fun!

 

While there won’t necessarily be a great deal of work to be done outside of class, students will be expected to participate actively in class and to attend one show performed by a local improv troupe.

 

 

THEATER AND DRAMA, Part 1                                          

Casey Seymour Kim

This class continues looking at different elements of Theater: playwriting, acting, directing and design.  We’ll look at the fundamentals: acting exercises, improvisation, monologue work, script analysis and scene study.  No acting experience is necessary, but you will be asked to try new things!

 

After some initial work on the basics, this class will be tailored towards the interests and abilities of the students involved.  Students will be expected to participate in all exercises and classroom discussions. Students will also be expected to work with others to create a presentation—collaborating in order to take advantage of each person’s strengths.