PERFORMING ARTS

 

MUSIC COLUMN A                                                                                       

Lon Plynton

Your journey to superstardom begins here. We will practice natural talent enhancement and learn about scales, chords, rhythms, meters and music terminology, all the while playing some great tunes.  We will listen to different music genres and learn how to create and appreciate music of many cultures. All interested in music performance are welcome here, even those with modest egos.

 

MUSIC COLUMN B                                                                                       

Lon Plynton

You know how to play; now it is time to jam!  We will turn the class into a band rehearsal as we learn to play together while exploring a wide range of musical styles. You can bring in your own composition or your favorite song and perform it with the group. This will provide an opportunity for students to explore musical concepts through ensemble involvement and creating a group performance. You must get instructor approval before enrolling in this course and be willing to bring your instrument to class.

 

“WHAT’S YOUR STORY?”                                                                                     

Phil Goldman

Through our personal stories, we learn about ourselves and our patterns of behavior. Our stories are our own adventures and myths; how we act in them reveals our character.  When we tell and write these stories, we can see how they have changed us and our perceptions of Life.

This course is based on the show Live Bait: True Stories from Real People, in which anybody can get up on stage and tell his/her true, personal stories (no acting, no script, no notes: it’s just like telling your friends). First we will find our stories by developing a LifeGraph; then we’ll refine and develop them by outlining, free writing, improvising and, of course, telling them. Not only will you get a chance to talk about yourself in class uninterrupted, but you will learn how to shape and how to tell an effective, entertaining story.

Students will be expected to complete three stories, both written and performed, by the end of the course.  Be prepared: at the end of the trimester, you could very well be performing your story at an assembly for family, friends and classmates. The stories you write and tell in 'What's Your Story?' could prove to be an excellent resource in the development of your Senior Personal Essay.

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

 

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.