Riverview High School Theatre Department
Classes
Information about courses such as the Syllabus, assignments, and grades will be posted on Canvas. Parents and students should refer to the site or download the app for this information. https://hcpscanvasproject.azurewebsites.net/
Below is the contact information for Theatre teachers and the course descriptions for the 2023-2024 School year.
The following courses will be taught by Mrs. Joie Marsh (joie.marsh@hcps.net)
Theatre 1- (Beginning) Classwork focuses on the exploration of theatre literature, performance, historical and cultural connections, and technical requirements. Improvisation, creative dramatics, and beginning scene work are used to introduce students to acting and character development. Incorporation of other art forms in theatre also helps students gain appreciation for other art forms, such as music, dance, and visual art. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
Theatre 2- (Intermediate) This course is designed for students with a year of experience or more, and promotes enjoyment and appreciation for all aspects of theatre through opportunities to build significantly on existing skills. Classwork focuses on characterization, playwriting, and playwrights’ contributions to theatre; while improvisation, creative dramatics, and scene work are used to help students challenge and strengthen their acting skills and explore the technical aspect of scene work. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
Theatre 3/4- (Advanced) This course is designed for students with significant experience in theatre, and promotes depth of engagement and lifelong appreciation for theatre through a broad spectrum of teacher-assigned and self-directed study and performance. Students regularly reflect on aesthetics and issues related to and addressed through theatre, and create within various aspects of theatre in ways that are progressively more innovative. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
Technical Theatre 1- Students focus on developing the basic tools and procedures for creating elements of technical theatre, including costumes, lighting, makeup, properties (props), publicity, scenery, and sound. Technical knowledge of safety procedures and demonstrated safe operation of theatre equipment, tools, and raw materials are central to success in this course. Students explore and learn to analyze dramatic scripts, seeking production solutions through historical, cultural, and geographic research. Students also learn the basics of standard conventions of design presentation and documentation; the organizational structure of theatre production and creative work in a collaborative environment; and the resulting artistic improvement.
Technical Theatre 2/3- Students with a year or more of experience focus on the design and safe application of basic tools and procedures to create elements of technical theatre, including costumes, lighting, makeup, properties (props), publicity, scenery, and sound. Students develop assessment and problem-solving skills; the ability to connect selected literature to a variety of cultures, history, and other content areas.
AICE Drama- Cambridge International AS & A Level Drama encourages learners to develop their skills in performing, devising and researching a wide range of theatrical styles and genres. They learn to communicate with an audience through practical and creative work on performance texts and their own devised material, both as individuals and in groups. Underpinned by theoretical and practical study, they learn to research, analyse, create and interpret, and to become skilled, well-informed and reflective theatrical practitioners who enjoy drama.
The following Courses will be taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart (elizabeth.stewart@hcps.net)
Musical Theatre 1- Students' course work focuses on, but is not limited to, acting, vocal performance, dance, non-dance movement, and staging, which transfer readily to performances in musicals and other venues. Students survey the evolution of music in theatre from ancient Greece to modern Broadway through a humanities approach and representative literature. Music theatre students explore the unique staging and technical demands of musicals in contrast to non-musical plays. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.
Musical Theatre 2, 3, and Acting 1- Students with at least one year experience in Musical Theatre learn from the styles and techniques used by well-known singer-actor-dancers and choreographers to build a performance portfolio for auditions and/or interviews. Students extend their dance and movement techniques required to sing and dance at the same time. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.