Theatre

6th grade Theatre Arts is a semester long performance-based class where students will be introduced to theatrical skills they can use in this and future theatre classes, as well as in other classes and future careers.  Students will learn about: 

o   Introduction to Theatre - including basic terminology, stage directions, parts of the stage, genres, types of stages, and audience etiquette

o   Ensemble Builders

o   The Class Play Project - a collaborative project where the class will produce a play from auditions through strike, including rehearsals           and a live performance. 

o   Theatre History - focusing on Elizabethan Theatre and Shakespeare

o   Improvisation - forming characters and acting without a script

o   Duet Scenes - students will take what they have learned to prepare, direct, and perform a duet/group scene

 

7/8th grade Theatre Arts is a year long, performance-based class where students will take a more extensive look at theatrical skills. The first semester focuses on the "onstage" aspects of theatre and the second semester focuses on the backstage aspects of theatre, as well as how Theatre got to what it is today.

o   Introduction to Theatre - including basic terminology, stage directions, parts of the stage, genres, types of stages, and audience etiquette

o   Ensemble Builders - work on teamwork, focus, and trust in relation to Theatre

o   Improvisation - forming characters and acting without a script

o   Pantomime and Mime - learning about using movement (not words) to communicate and tell a story - includes the Silent Film Project             and Silent Day

o   Monologues - an introduction to Characterization where students will study and develop a character based on their chosen monologue         to perform

o   Duet Scenes - students will take what they have learned to prepare, direct, and perform a duet/group scene

o   Voice - students will work in groups to practice vocalization to represent various characters

o   Theatre Safety and Tools - learning about safety in the theatre and basic tools and how to use them

o   Technical Theatre - this project-based unit allows students to learn about each area of technical theatre and design and create for each           area - including props, scenery, lighting, sound, theatrical make-up, and costumes

o   Theatre History - a project-based learning unit where students will work in groups to research and create a way to teach the class                 about their time period

 

8th grade Advanced Theatre is a year-long, performance-based class for students who already completed 7/8th grade Theatre Arts. Students enrolled in this course will receive further training in Theatre Arts through both performance and design work. Advanced Theatre students are encouraged to audition for main stage performances (A Monologue Showcase, Dinner Theatre, and Musical), but are not required to be in productions outside of class.

o   Vocals - safe use of the body and voice, as well as team building activities to strengthen the ensemble

o   Audition Ready - students will work on writing a resume and performing an audition monologue

o   Acting - students will take a more extensive look at creating characters and performing through creating an original character and                 writing and original monologue, as well as work on skills used in producing a class play

o   Technical Theatre - students will use their knowledge from 7/8th grade Theatre Arts to explore and design the technical theatre aspects       of a show (theoretical and practical)

o   Directing - students will have the opportunity to direct their peers in student-directed scenes

 

Theatre Production is a full year, performance-based class that work to produce all main stage productions for the Blalack Theatre Department. Students for this class must audition and be selected by the director. All students must take an active role in each production, either onstage or backstage.

o   Audition Ready - students will work on writing a resume, bio, take headshots, and perform a cold reading

o   UIL One Act Play - students will learn about the rules associated with OAP and then work to produce our UIL OAP that will compete at         the district contest.  There are two performances of the UIL One Act Play:  one at Blalack in November (public performance) and the               other at the UIL One Act Play Contest the first weekend in December.  Exact dates and admission information are on the calendar.

o   Dinner Theatre - as soon as OAP has been struck we will begin working on our dinner theatre, which includes a live performance and           dinner - Performances will be in February in the Blalack Cafetorium. Exact dates and admission information are on the calendar.

o   Musical - as soon as dinner theatre has been struck we will begin working on the musical.  Musical performances will be at the end of           April in the Blalack Cafetorium.  Exact dates and admission information are on the calendar.