Drama Courses
Theatre Workshop
Theatre Workshop explores the elements of drama through improvisation, theatre games, and scenes from contemporary plays. Students will develop skills in acting, play making, and scene analysis, as well as an understanding of the collaborative process of creating theatre. Emphasis is placed on giving and taking criticism in a cooperative ensemble. One semester; no prerequisite.
Acting 1
The Acting course will build on the background established in Theatre Workshop, focusing on creating honest, believable characters and situations. Actors will develop original characters and scenes as well as work with full-length scripts to expand their abilities to understand and bring to life scenes from significant dramatic literature. One semester; prerequisite: Theatre Workshop.
Advanced Theatre Studio
Advanced Theatre Studio is an in-depth, multi-leveled study of skills and techniques introduced in previous classes. Studies are customized and topics will vary to accommodate students. Topics may include advanced improvisation, stage combat, musical theatre, Shakespeare, auditions, acting-for-the-camera, theatre history, masks, children’s theatre, creative drama, playwriting, kabuki, contemporary Broadway, dialects, and advanced acting. Honors level; a repeatable one-semester course; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop and Acting.
Directing
This course explores theatre from the directorial viewpoint: script selection and analysis, artistic concept, casting, collaboration with designers, rehearsals, and actual production. The students have actual practice in preparing a one-act play for performance as part of our subscription season. Honors level; one semester; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop, Acting, (Advanced Theatre Studio strongly recommended), and consent of instructor.
Play Production
In this course, students further explore the concepts introduced in Stagecraft. They will work as designers, business/publicity managers, stage managers, house managers, and technicians to produce a full-length play, as part of our subscription season. Thus, students will have practical experience in the collaborative process and product of making theatre. Finally the class will work as an ensemble to create on original improv show. Honors level; one semester; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop, Acting, (Advanced Theatre Studio strongly recommended), and consent of instructor.
Shakespeare for Actors
Through study of the dramatic work of the greatest playwright of the English language, students will explore the voice, imagination, and body as tools of the actor. His work was meant to be brought to life on the stage, not reverently read in silence! The shroud of cobwebs will be wiped away as the beauty, clarity, and passion of the playwright is revealed to students through this hands-on approach to Shakespeare. Hand-to-hand combat will be taught in conjunction with either rapier & dagger, quarterstaff, or broadsword combat skills. A one-semester summer intensive; prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Arts in Chicago
Explore the magic of the city right in our backyard!
Independent Study
One-semester courses available in Screenwriting, Drama Education, Dramatic Literature, Lighting, Costume, and Scenic Design.
Theatre Workshop explores the elements of drama through improvisation, theatre games, and scenes from contemporary plays. Students will develop skills in acting, play making, and scene analysis, as well as an understanding of the collaborative process of creating theatre. Emphasis is placed on giving and taking criticism in a cooperative ensemble. One semester; no prerequisite.
Acting 1
The Acting course will build on the background established in Theatre Workshop, focusing on creating honest, believable characters and situations. Actors will develop original characters and scenes as well as work with full-length scripts to expand their abilities to understand and bring to life scenes from significant dramatic literature. One semester; prerequisite: Theatre Workshop.
Advanced Theatre Studio
Advanced Theatre Studio is an in-depth, multi-leveled study of skills and techniques introduced in previous classes. Studies are customized and topics will vary to accommodate students. Topics may include advanced improvisation, stage combat, musical theatre, Shakespeare, auditions, acting-for-the-camera, theatre history, masks, children’s theatre, creative drama, playwriting, kabuki, contemporary Broadway, dialects, and advanced acting. Honors level; a repeatable one-semester course; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop and Acting.
Directing
This course explores theatre from the directorial viewpoint: script selection and analysis, artistic concept, casting, collaboration with designers, rehearsals, and actual production. The students have actual practice in preparing a one-act play for performance as part of our subscription season. Honors level; one semester; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop, Acting, (Advanced Theatre Studio strongly recommended), and consent of instructor.
Play Production
In this course, students further explore the concepts introduced in Stagecraft. They will work as designers, business/publicity managers, stage managers, house managers, and technicians to produce a full-length play, as part of our subscription season. Thus, students will have practical experience in the collaborative process and product of making theatre. Finally the class will work as an ensemble to create on original improv show. Honors level; one semester; prerequisites: Theatre Workshop, Acting, (Advanced Theatre Studio strongly recommended), and consent of instructor.
Shakespeare for Actors
Through study of the dramatic work of the greatest playwright of the English language, students will explore the voice, imagination, and body as tools of the actor. His work was meant to be brought to life on the stage, not reverently read in silence! The shroud of cobwebs will be wiped away as the beauty, clarity, and passion of the playwright is revealed to students through this hands-on approach to Shakespeare. Hand-to-hand combat will be taught in conjunction with either rapier & dagger, quarterstaff, or broadsword combat skills. A one-semester summer intensive; prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Arts in Chicago
Explore the magic of the city right in our backyard!
Independent Study
One-semester courses available in Screenwriting, Drama Education, Dramatic Literature, Lighting, Costume, and Scenic Design.
