Drama 1 P is an introductory theatre course.  It offers an overview of the basic elements of Theater: acting, playwriting, voice and stage movement, technical design and theater history. The first semester emphasizes the physical/vocal training of the actor as well as emotional awareness. Confidence and self-esteem is built through theater games, ensemble building, and storytelling. During the second semester, the students study improvisation as well as a variety of performance projects culminating in a public class performance. Involvement in extracurricular theatre productions in highly encouraged. Beginning students may audition for any main stage or senior directed productions, as well as participate in Bulldog Theatre, a monthly cabaret.

The study of acting continues and the elements of directing are introduced. Advanced drama emphasizes both individual and scene work, as student is challenged to work on a variety of advanced performance projects including Musical Theater, Stage Combat, Period Style, and Dialect. Playwriting, Directing and Design are integrated into student projects. Advanced Drama students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular productions and to perform at Theater Festivals. This program provides solid training for students wishing to continue their theatre education in college or in specialized theater arts training. Students may repeat advanced drama three times for credit.

Students use the base foundation from the preceding levels and continue to use warm up techniques and exercises to define their use of stage movement, pantomime, voice and diction in short scenes and monologues.  Improvisation is used to develop ideas for playwriting which are then used to create a written scripts with believable characters while using theatrical conventions.  Participation in playwriting competitions is encouraged.  Small groups will select texts which will be performed in class and analyzed with positive observations and constructive recommendations including self -reflection.  Each semester, students are required to participate in four hours of theatre related activities outside of the class by choosing to build sets for school plays, usher, work on costumes, design posters or be in the cast or crew for a school play.  Students are also required to attend and analyze all SRHS plays.

Continuing to build of the foundation from the preceding levels, students will choose, cast and direct a short on act play which is performed in the evening for an audience in the Hayes Theatre.  Personal growth and self-reflection as an actor is expected with all improvisation, scene and monologue work.  The students are expected to practice and develop leadership skills in the classroom including leading warm up exercises and demonstrating technical stage components of our theatre in a short original play presented to the class.  The students will also demonstrate effective acting techniques including stage movement and participate in analyzing others’ work by making positive constructive recommendations for improvement.  Participation in school extra-curricular drama is expected.