Theater
Overview
Theater arts courses enable students to explore theatrical and musical literature in situations that encourage collaborative work in order to build skill in ensemble and rehearsal technique and problem solving strategies. Creativity, and risk-taking are encouraged as students develop confidence in their abilities.
Students will have the opportunity to build and refine technique, develop analytical and critical skills, and build a written and performing vocabulary of expression. Theater classes allow students to increase their involvement and appreciation for the process of the art form, as well as the final product.
- Principals and techniques
- Vocabulary of expression
- Risk taking
- Developing appreciation
- Critical skills
- Consumers of performing arts - audience building
- Developing process
- Ensemble experience - rehearsal technique
- Confidence building
- Expression
Middle School
In Middle School the theatre classes help to develop performance skills, as well as skills that help them to function and excel in their every day activities, even in their lives beyond CSG.
Drama 6
In the Drama 6 "Performance Studio" classes, the curriculum anchor is confidence, and the girls learn the basic concepts of performing on a stage: how to stand, how to speak, and how to feel comfortable in front of an audience. There are pantomime activities, poem presentations, speeches, and scene work done throughout the class, and the final projects are the End of Quarter Skits, where they perform their short original pieces in groups of three or four for the entire Form. We also have frequent quizzes, including the Public Speaking Quiz, the Pantomime Quiz, the Stage Direction Quiz, and the often repeated famous (or infamous) Focus Quizzes.
Drama 7
In the Drama 7 "Actor Studio" classes, the curriculum anchor is communication. The quarter begins with a three day lecture on the history of Western Theatre, starting in Ancient Greece, ending with the 20th Century’s introduction of Method Acting, and discussing some important points in between. We then move on to the acting part of the class with various exercises and projects such as "Three Entrances", "The Almost Silent Story", "Three Sentences", and the monologue and scene projects. For all of these projects, the actresses in class are to create characters with a life story, and communicate the words, feelings, and emotional circumstances of their characters with enough clarity for an audience to understand what their character is experiencing. These projects allow the students to not only make some discoveries about themselves, but also the people around them.
Drama 8
In the Drama 8 "Production Studio" classes, the curriculum anchor is collaboration. These classes learn about the collaborative process in a two day lecture on the roles and responsibilities involved in the theatrical process (i.e., playwright, actress, director, designer, producer, marketing coordinator). After learning about theatre genres and engaging in class exercise like the "All Purpose Dialogue", the class is divided into two production companies to produce their own original play. Everyone school wide is invited to attend the performances, and a review is posted in public so the performers can learn how their play was received.
Upper School
The Upper School Theater Department offers many exciting opportunities for students to learn and perform. Whether a girl wants to act, or learn how to run a theatrical lighting board, she has the opportunity both in class and in production.
We have five class offerings available.
- Acting: This class is a place for girls to explore basic acting techniques. We experiment with physicality, scene work, exercises, and more to not only teach the student how to be a better actor but to also to promote self awareness and confidence.
- Theater: This is the class where we do it all. This is a broad based course that covers many areas from learning to run a theatrical lighting board to discovering exciting plays from the past.
- Advanced Theater Lab: Here students get to further their studies in theater at an advanced level. The class produces a student run production. This year's class is writing their own plays which will be performed at the end of the semester.
- Acting II: This class is designed for the advanced acting student to further pursue their study and to prepare audition monologues.
- Public Speaking: This course is required of all 10th form students and teaches basic methods of public presentation from idea to performance. Students will deliver several different types of speeches.
Theater Program
Theater arts courses enable students to explore theatrical and musical literature in situations that encourage collaborative work in order to build skill in ensemble and rehearsal technique and problem solving strategies. Creativity, and risk-taking are encouraged as students develop confidence in their abilities. Students will have the opportunity to build and refine technique, develop analytical and critical skills, and build a written and performing vocabulary of expression. Theater classes allow students to increase their involvement and appreciation for the process of the art form, as well as the final product.
International Thespian Society CSG Troupe #6944
The Thespians are the theatrical elite at CSG, and are the leaders in all areas of our productions.
- We meet once a month to plan upcoming events or policies.
- Troupe 6944 is in its third year of existence.
- The Thespians hold an induction and awards banquet in April to honor those students whose work is exemplary, with awards and certificates, and to induct new members.
- Thespians are the leaders of morale for the productions, for example making locker decorations.
- Thespians receive "Dramatics" magazine at home, and are eligible for scholarships, special auditions, and other opportunities through their membership dues.
- The Thespians have a "sister" school relationships with local Eastmoor Academy,with joint projects in the works.
- We are discussing plans to attend plays as a troupe.
