Aspiring actors begin their course of study in Theatre Essentials I. This year-long, differentiated course focuses on creativity and self-expression. Students develop an understanding of general acting techniques while putting in place the building blocks for IB Theatre. Scripted and improvisational exercises, along with devised performances and ensemble building activities, provide students with a safe arena to expand and explore their craft. Students learn the techniques and skills required to raise a performance on stage, both from an acting and directing perspective. This course provides not only a premier curricular acting experience for students at Village High School, it also develops self confidence and presentational skills which are so important for all students.
Students progress into Theatre Essentials II, which continues providing building blocks for the IB Theatre program. Students learn to build a character, analyze text, work in an ensemble, and discover a character’s objectives, subtext, and physicality. Improvisation, devised performance, building tension, and creating atmosphere, are coupled with building a premier curricular acting experience for students at The Village High School, and developing creativity, independent thought and the confidence to present themselves in a public.
Students begin study in the two-year IB Theatre course, consisting of the interrelated areas of presenting theatre, theatre in context, and theatre processes. Students approach these areas from the multiple perspectives of theatre specialists. Critical to every IB Theatre student is the importance of working independently and as a member of an ensemble. Each student develops the ability to lead and then the balance of recognizing when it is better to follow. Students identify an aspect of theatre theory and create, perform, and video a solo performance and choose a published play text and develop an interpretation for its performance.
Students continue theatre instruction in the second half of the IB Theatre course. Students create theatre based on theatre theory, working with play texts, examining world theatre traditions and performance practices. Students plan and deliver a filmed 15 minute presentation to their peers, physically demonstrating their research of a convention of a theatre tradition. They then collaboratively create original theatre, delivering an original physical presentation lasting 13-15 minutes from a chosen stimulus.