Upper School Curriculum Guide

Structured in a workshop format, the intent of Advanced Topics in Theatre is to study the principles, procedures, and practices of stage direction. Beginning with a non-verbal approach to composition and movement study and progressing to more formal text work, the work in this class culminates in the direction of a ten-minute play for three public performances in our annual student produced Fringe  Festival. Since acting and directing are inextricably related disciplines, students in this class are expected to act AND direct in order to provide mutually beneficial training opportunities for directing students. All students are expected to experiment with mutually challenging director/actor collaborative exercises. The intent is to create a combined student led performance group that functions as a dynamic ensemble.  With everyone’s combined ideas and energy, you will accomplish much more than you ever could alone.  As does theatre itself, this course demands a highly interactive, team playing commitment and, because of this, attendance at all classes is expected. Previous experiences in our RCDS drama classes or productions are a requirement for the elective. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; department approval required.) 

This course is designed to allow the highly motivated dance student an opportunity to work independently on advanced level exploration within a particular dance form, tradition or innovation. Specific topics will vary each year. The interested student must present a proposal to the department. If approved, the parameters of the project are established and regular meeting times are arranged with a member of the department. The work in this class culminates in each student choreographing an original piece to be included in our annual student produced Fringe Festival. Students are required to have taken one year of intermediate dance and enrolled in advanced dance to be taken simultaneously with this class as a requirement for the elective. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; department approval required.)

Intermediate Dance is a yearlong course for students with a solid base knowledge of the fundamentals of dance technique who are interested in furthering their skills through serious dance training. This course explores dance technique and performance through a variety of modes of movement. Dancers will train in the techniques of ballet, modern, jazz, jumps and turns, as well as supplement with explorations of Pilates, yoga, strength and stability training, dance conditioning, and stretch. Throughout the year students will not only extend their technical abilities as dancers, but also learn about important trailblazing dancers and choreographers in the past and present time. Intermediate Dance meets twice per cycle and performs it’s own piece in the Spring Dance Concert. The concert requires the after-school commitment of tech week and performances. This yearlong course fulfills the art credit. Students have the option for a skills assessment to gain entry into the Advanced Dance class, if deemed appropriate. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; departmental approval required.)

Advanced Dance is a yearlong course for students who have a high level of technical skill, and are looking to train at a serious and extremely dedicated level. The course explores dance technique and performance through a variety of modes of movement. Dancers will train in the techniques of ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, jumps and turns, as well as supplement with explorations of Pilates, yoga, strength and stability training, dance conditioning, and flexibility training. Throughout the year students will not only extend their technical abilities as dancers, but also learn about dance history and take part in composition lessons to begin developing tools for choreography. Through these lessons in dance history and dance composition, students will cultivate and hone their observational skills allowing them to think and speak intellectually about dance in a scholarly manner. Advanced Dance meets twice per cycle and performs its own piece in the Spring Dance Concert. The concert requires the after-school commitment of tech week and performances. This yearlong course fulfills the art credit. The intermediate level of dance must be completed prior to taking this course unless cleared by the department. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; department approval required.)

In this year-long course, student will be designing and implementing costumes, hair and makeup for Upper School drama productions. Students will work with the faculty costume coordinator as designs are created for the fall play. During the second semester, students will branch out to create full looks of their own for the Winter Musical. Students will study costume design for past school shows as well as professional productions to help inform their own designs. By the end of the year, students will have a fashion design portfolio, some of which can be used towards 2D AP Art Portfolio. This is an interdisciplinary course with the Visual Art Department. (½ unit in Drama, ½ unit in Art; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.)