This course introduces students to the world of performing arts. Students examine and participate in various aspects of theater production including the play, the stage, the actor, and the director. During the course the expression of themes in other performing arts is explored, as students also experience the creative and expressive elements of performance. Readings, listening to recordings, live performances, as well as in-class playwriting and improvisation enable students to experience the world of performance for themselves. An historical over view of the development of creative performances is included.
Students explore themes behind performances.
Political and protest themes in music from the 1600's to modern times and in stage and film performances probe human nature and its relationship to conflict and confrontation in the modern world. Conflict as an ever-present facet of man's existence is expressed in these performances. A careful study of Aristotle's Elements of Drama will include analysis of characters in American film, specific plays, and in their own work. Students will continue to work on character development throughout the semester in a variety of ways, involving themselves directly in conflicts as characters and working toward resolution. Writing in the performing arts Students write throughout the entire semester in response journals which are used when any performance is presented to them.