COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

THEATRE I 

This is an introductory performance course. It incorporates basic acting techniques, the role of the actor in interpreting dramatic literature, the historical evolution of performance styles and dramatic themes, and a general appreciation for Theatre. The student will learn basic movement, body control, mime and pantomime, vocal technique, and the development of character as it relates to differing periods and styles of drama. 

Theatre I and all subsequent theatre courses will cover:

• Theatrical vocabulary, elements, conventions, and basic concepts 

• Learners study principles of acting and begin to understand theatrical conventions dealing with time and setting. 

• Learners develop essential skills, techniques, and a process of script analysis to create believable characters. • Learners add techniques in diction and body movements to develop characterizations further. 

• Historical and cultural backgrounds 

• Students explore dramatizations and scenes from a variety of historical periods and cultures. Specific examples of theatrical productions stimulate understanding of the impact of society on theatre AND theatre’s impact on society. 

• Experiences that develop a broad-based body of knowledge and technical skills 

• Introductory playwriting will enable the student to improvise, write, and rewrite monologues, scenes, and vignettes to convey predetermined intent and meaning. 

• Students become their own directors and are accountable for small group presentations of a scene or vignette. 

• The director is responsible for incorporating all aspects of a production into a unified whole. 

• Strategies for evaluating theatre experiences 

• Viewing live and recorded performances and short classroom presentations, students analyze the impact of technical theatre in communicating meaning to an audience. 

• By articulating and applying predetermined criteria and using theatrical technology, students reflect on and make judgments about the effectiveness of personal work and the work of others. 

THEATRE II – IV (As We Grow)

Theatre Arts II – IV is designed to train the intermediate-level acting student in the fundamentals of acting and to develop an appreciation of theatre. This course intensifies what has been learned within Theatre I. It incorporates specific acting techniques, explores vocal and physical boundaries, and allows students to learn different methodologies regarding character development. A higher level of analysis and research is required. This course takes the basic ideals of theatre arts and elevates them to an advanced level. • Students will have an opportunity to explore many aspects of theatre through improvisations, pantomime, monologues, scene work, musical theatre, and film. 

• Students will create believable characters, maintaining the uniqueness of the individual characters while demonstrating the effects of circumstances and relationships with other characters and the environment. 

• Students will create scenes, vignettes, and other works that contain dialogues that reveal motivation, plot, and theme. 

• Students will conduct ongoing evaluations that tie original intent to the final product, assess the quality and effectiveness of communicating to a third person, and encourage rewrites that establish foundations for future theatrical endeavors. 

TECHNICAL THEATRE I 

Students focus on developing the basic tools and procedures for creating elements of technical theatre. Technical knowledge of safety procedures and demonstrated safe operation of theatre equipment are central to success in this course. Students will be required to attend or participate in technical work, rehearsals, and/or performances beyond the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Technical Theatre class will introduce the first-year technician to the areas of stagecraft and theatrical production. You will climb ladders, lift things, build, paint, work online, research, work with makeup, and handle very expensive equipment in this class. The theatre elements to which you will be introduced will include, but are not limited to: Stage elements, Stage properties (props) Crews/Assignments Theatre appreciation Costumes/Makeup, Sound Engineering/Recording, Lights and Lighting Design, Fly System/Safety, Box Office/Ticket Sales Stage Management.

TECHNICAL THEATRE II – IV (As We Grow)

This course builds upon the skills and knowledge learned in Technical Theatre I. The class incorporates analysis, theory, and practical application. Emphasis will be on advanced design techniques and applications. Students will be required to read/analyze plays for technical considerations. Students will be required to attend or participate in technical work, rehearsals, and/or performances beyond the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Technical Theatre 3/4 explore all areas of stagecraft and theatrical production.In this class, students will climb ladders, lift things, build, paint, work online, research, work with makeup, and handle very expensive equipment. The theatre elements to which you will be introduced will include, but are not limited to: Stage elements, Stage properties (props) Crews/Assignments Theatre appreciation Costumes/Makeup, Sound Engineering/Recording, Lights and Lighting Design, Fly System/Safety, Box Office/Ticket Sales Stage Management. Technical Theatre II/IV is an upper-level advanced technical theatre class catered to students who exhibit a high caliber of performance and dedication to learning the craft of technical theatre. The focus of this class is to grow through the process of the two main competitive components of Texas high school theatre: Texas Thespians and UIL One Act Play.

THEATRE PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

This class is an audition-based course offered to ACHS students and incoming 8th graders who wish to become a part of the Theatre Program.   This class is for advanced performance theatre students.  Production is an upper level advanced theatre class catered to students who exhibit a high caliber of performance and dedication to learning the craft of theatre. The focus of this class is to grow through the process of the two main competitive components of Texas high school theatre: Texas Thespians and UIL One Act Play. If at any point a student decides to leave Production Theatre, they will be placed in an academic theatre course or dropped from theatre completely, based on directors’ discretion. Any student who drops this course after the start of the year is not eligible for ITS graduation cords, ability to earn a letter jacket, any officer positions (Campus and Thespians.)