Middle School Curriculum Guide

The function of drama in the fifth grade is for every student to have access to the basics of theater performance and ensemble building. Through a variety of improvisation exercises and scenes, students will work on building characters and telling clear and interesting stories. Students will also repeatedly practice being supportive and constructive audience members. Fifth grade drama will culminate in a devised theater unit in which students will work together to craft their own short plays.

The class will be broken down into three units: Acting, Directing, and Design. In the acting unit, students explore warm-ups, theater games, improvisation, and a variety of scenes. Following the acting unit, the students will have the opportunity to learn the art of directing as they utilize storytelling skills to direct creative and interesting scenes. During the design unit, students will engage in hands-on learning and discover the function of set and costume design. This semester-long class will culminate in a presentation of scenes that incorporate all technical elements learned in the course. 

INTEGRATED PERFORMING ARTS (Two-trimester course, T1 and T2) – Music and Drama/Dance

Integrated Performing Arts is an exploration of the combined disciplines of music, dance, and theater arts. The first trimester will focus on ensemble skills in the three disciplines- working on choral singing, choreography, acting, and song interpretation. The second trimester will focus on bringing all three disciplines together for their annual musical production. By exploring these three unified crafts, students will experience a well-rounded education in the performing arts.

THEATRICAL TECHNIQUES (T1 & T3)

Theatrical Techniques is a trimester long course where students will be exposed to a wide variety of theater styles and skills. Improvisation, stage combat, play and sketch writing, devised theater, and more will be explored, in addition to a focus on crafting original ensemble work. Students will leave the course with a broad knowledge and appreciation of the diverse ways in which theater artists express themselves and new and innovative storytelling techniques.  They will also strengthen their own confidence in their voices and creativity.

ONE-ACT PLAY PRODUCTION (T2)

This course is for students to expand upon the skills learned in 5th and 6th grade Drama to engage in the production of a One-Act play. Classes are structured to provide students with the opportunity to produce a play from the ground up. The trimester will begin with One-Act selection, rehearsal planning, and an informal audition process. Each student will be expected and encouraged to contribute to the production through acting in the production OR behind-the-scenes technical design and execution. As classes progress, students will work
together to rehearse, design, and create a final performance. The trimester will conclude with a performance for friends and family. 

CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP (T1 & T3)

Choreography Workshop is a trimester long course that is open to 7/8 grade students dedicated to exploring choreography creation and composition. It is offered during trimester 1 and 3 culminating in the Choreography Showcase (T1) or the Spring Dance Concert (T3). Students will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to be able to improvise within a set structure, create movement using the elements of dance and other production elements and collaborate with peers to create group dances based off of directed prompts. Dancers will utillize rehearsal skills and perform complex choreographic ideas as they demonstrate intent and find emotional connections to movement.

THEATRE PRODUCTION AND DESIGN (T2 & T3)

Theatre Production and Design is a trimester long course for 7th and 8th grade students that will meet during the second trimester. Students will begin the trimester studying a wide range of theatrical productions and analyzing them from a technical perspective (lighting, sound, set, costumes).  A range of performance styles will be explored (opera, musicals, straight plays, rock concerts, etc.) in order to inform discussions surrounding design choices and rationale.  Concurrently, students will engage in the design process for the middle school musical, using the script as their anchor text. The class will employ the use of Vectorworks, a 3D design software used by professional set designers, to create their own designs.  They will familiarize themselves with the light and sound boards at RCDS and get to know the basics of light and sound plots.  Students will also tour the costume room, and create a beginning costume plot. Stage management responsibilities will be explored near the end of the trimester. The class will culminate in students running stage crew for the MS Musical at the end of the trimester (optional, but encouraged!)