Course overview
This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods. Students will interpret dramatic literature and other text and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures, and will analyze how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.
This focus course takes a practical approach to the production of theatre by allowing students to actively engage in a production company of their own.
This focus course takes a practical approach to the production of theatre by allowing students to actively engage in a production company of their own.
Scope and sequence
UNIT 1
Scriptwriting project
Please keep all your work in a "portfolio" or "director's book" for grading. I will be collecting them at various points of the term.
PART I
1. Choose a novel or story you have read in its entirety.
2. Choose one scene from the story that reveals something about a character 3. Do the scene analysis form and character profile worksheet |
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PART 2
Dialogue Assignment :
1. Listen in on a conversation nearby (any time) and try and record down everything that is said just how it is said (try to capture all the nuances/inflections).
2. Observe a scene put on by the drama students and then try and write a scripted version of that scene. Bring those next class to read and compare.
3. Repeat the first exercise but this time, record a brief conversation between two people. Take this and develop it into a scene. You may change, add, or omit words, introduce action, and so on.
Direction Assignment (During Improv Unit):
1. Make a list of random actions (ie. shaking your fist in the air, jumping up and down on one foot etc.)
2. Watch an improvised scene and interject your actions into the scene whenever you want. This will change the dynamic and direction of the scene.
3. Discussion Questions:
a. How do certain actions affect a character emotionally?
b. What actions that students were given during the improv changed the direction of the scene?
c. Ask a student if they changed what they were going to say based on an action they were given. Record their response.
1. Listen in on a conversation nearby (any time) and try and record down everything that is said just how it is said (try to capture all the nuances/inflections).
2. Observe a scene put on by the drama students and then try and write a scripted version of that scene. Bring those next class to read and compare.
3. Repeat the first exercise but this time, record a brief conversation between two people. Take this and develop it into a scene. You may change, add, or omit words, introduce action, and so on.
Direction Assignment (During Improv Unit):
1. Make a list of random actions (ie. shaking your fist in the air, jumping up and down on one foot etc.)
2. Watch an improvised scene and interject your actions into the scene whenever you want. This will change the dynamic and direction of the scene.
3. Discussion Questions:
a. How do certain actions affect a character emotionally?
b. What actions that students were given during the improv changed the direction of the scene?
c. Ask a student if they changed what they were going to say based on an action they were given. Record their response.
Write a short play (one scene) based on the short story provided. Do so within the format provided in the example document.
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PART 3
- Either for your play or a play of your choice, you will be required to create a model of your stage. This must include props, set pieces, colour schemes and the general look of a single scene. See me for examples.
- Either for your play or a play of your choice, you will be required to create a model of your stage. This must include props, set pieces, colour schemes and the general look of a single scene. See me for examples.
PART 4
Final Directing and Scriptwriting Project
- This will take up the majority of your term 2 and 3 marks. So PLEASE take this very seriously. You will be writing and directing your own play for the Spring One-Act Festival. (Date to be announced). Be prepared to be committed to this process. |
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