Upper School Curriculum Guide

In the Upper School, students are required to complete a minimum of 1.5 credits within the Drama and Dance, Visual Arts, and/or Music departments. The Drama and Dance Department offers a variety of courses in acting, dance, costume design, play production, and public speaking. Students also have the opportunity to work on independent study projects in areas of specialized focus. The Department encourages specialized work and helps students develop projects that will most appropriately advance their ability and interests.

COURSE SELECTION GUIDELINES

• Theatre 1
• Dance 1
• Public Speaking

The following courses require departmental approval:

• Theatre 2
• Theatre 3
• Theatre 4: Play Production
• Production and Design
• Lighting and Design
• Dance 2
• Dance 3
• Cedar Street Dance Company

The core experience classes offer groundwork for future study in either the Theater and/or Dance program. For students who are particularly interested in musical theater, many students take Drama/Dance along with a Choir class.

This curriculum is carefully designed to establish common vocabulary, instill the Department’s core values, encourage students to become aware of and overcome personal obstacles, and explore students’ untapped potential. These classes include:

• Theatre 1
• Dance 1
• Public Speaking

Upon completion of a core experience course, students can shape the content and trajectory of their course of study in Theatre and/or Dance. Students are able to construct a sequence of experiential coursework that satisfies their individual interests and passions. The student assumes responsibility for crafting a program of study to develop, advocate for, and achieve artistic goals under the guidance of committed faculty mentors. These classes include:

Performance Strand

• Theatre 2
• Theatre 3
• Threatre 4: Play Production

Production and Design Strand

• Production and Design
• Lighting and Design
• Theatre 4: Play Production

Dance Strand

• Dance 2
• Dance 3
• Cedar Street Dance Company

Year-Long Courses

THEATRE 4: PLAY PRODUCTION
Theatre 4: Play Production is open to students in grades 10-12 who have demonstrated proficiency in theatrical direction and/or theatrical design. Students learn how to function as an in-house theatre company responsible for selecting, reviewing, staging, marketing, and performing a series of on-campus (and potentially off-campus) pieces. The year culminates in students directing their own one act performances in a festival that welcomes participation from those outside the class to act. In order to prepare our student directors for directing their peers in this one act festival, those taking the class will learn to assess and devise theatre from the perspectives of various backstage roles. (1 unit; Grades 10-12;  prerequisite Public Speaking, Theatre 2, or instructor approval)

One-Semester Electives

DANCE 1
Dance 1 is a course crafted for beginning and intermediate dance students interested in exploring the fundamentals of movement techniques like ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. The emphasis of the course lies in nurturing body-mind awareness concerning movement phrasing, memorization, and performance. Students' advancement throughout the course is evaluated, and those interested may opt for a skills assessment to qualify for enrollment in Dance 2, provided it's deemed suitable. (½ unit, Grades 9-12)

PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public Speaking is an introduction to speech communication with an emphasis on the practical skill of public speaking. Throughout the semester, students not only learn about civility and ethical speech composition and delivery, but they also examine the many different ways in which we as individuals are public and speak in the 21st century. In addition, students partake in various physical and vocal exercises that lessen speaker anxiety, foster body confidence, and hone mental readiness and cognizance. The combined practices provide students with opportunities to develop their own voice, challenge their perspective, and amplify that which represents them.  (½ unit; Grades 9-12)

THEATRE 1
Theatre 1 is open to students in grades 9-12. The course introduces students to basic techniques of acting through improvisations, structured relaxation exercises, theatre games, acting theory, and monologue/scene work. Through these activities, students hone their public speaking skills, participate in cooperative learning, and build confidence in both their vocal and physical expression. Students also begin to explore theatre from other perspectives and roles, such as the viewpoint of a director, designer, and playwright. By exposing students to these other perspectives, they not only learn the fundamentals of producing art for the stage, but also begin to view and respect theatre as a machine of many parts. This class is the launching pad for students to explore more specific areas of theatre study at an advanced level through our other course offerings: Theatre 2, Theatre 3, Production and Design, Lighting and Design, and Theatre 4: Play Production. (½ unit; Grades 9-12)

THEATRE 2
Theatre 2 is offered to students in grades 9-12 who wish to develop their acting skills through a more personal, hands-on exploration of theatre. Using texts that span from classical to modern theatre, students partake in scene and monologue work that asks them to consider the individual’s relationship to society and the cultural impact of art. Students develop characters and character relationships (to other characters and their surrounding world) through the lenses of various theatre pioneers. In addition, students learn the basics of acting for TV/film, and apply their study to polished auditions pieces in both live theatre and on-camera contexts. (½ unit; Grades 9-12;  prerequisite Public Speaking, Theatre 1, or instructor approval)

THEATRE 3
Theatre 3 is open to students in grades 10-12 who exhibit proficiency in acting, movement, production, and/or theatre appreciation. Students are responsible for acting and directing scenes, producing solo performance work, and devising collaborative theatre. Students explore theatre traditions and innovations of various theatre theorists from around the world, which they ultimately apply to polished performance pieces. Through this study, students examine across time and space the role art plays in society and the way society shapes and influences the direction of art. (½ unit; Grades 10-12;  prerequisite Public Speaking, Theatre 1, or instructor approval)

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN
Production and Design is open to students in grades 9-12 who wish to explore theatre from the viewpoint of a director and theatrical designer. Students will examine the impact staging, costuming, and the technical aspects of theatre play in engaging audiences and supporting the development of a story. Through mock production team meetings, students will form an in-house theatre company responsible for producing a proposal that supports the intended impact and vision of a playwright. Ultimately, students will develop process portfolios and set models to craft their own vision for the stage. (½ unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite Public Speaking, Intro to Theatre, or instructor approval)

LIGHTING AND DESIGN
In this class, students will explore lighting design and the process behind creating successful stage lighting.  The year will start with a focus on how light works and how we perceive light, and then move into equipment used for stage lighting and how certain design looks are achieved.  Students will learn to read light plots, design small scale projects in the Black Box Theater, and dive into specific light programs like Vectorworks.  Students will work collaboratively within the “design team “ for the Upper School Winter Musical and the One Acts/Fringe Festival, which will give them the opportunity to apply their knowledge from class to real world productions.  (1 unit; Grades 10-12;  prerequisite Public Speaking, Intro to Theatre, or instructor approval)

DANCE 2
Dance 2 welcomes intermediate and advanced dance students seeking to enhance their movement technique and delve into the topics of dance history and composition. Through choreographic projects, students have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Winter Choreography Showcase, serving as the final requirement for this graded course. Admission to Dance 2 is determined by the Dance Teacher and/or through audition. (½ unit; Grades 9-12; Dance 1 or instructor approval required)

DANCE 3
Dance 3 is tailored to advanced dancers who demonstrate proficiency in both technical and compositional skills. This year-long course entails choreographing two pieces – one group and one solo – for performance in the Spring Dance Performance. Throughout the course, students undergo a structured compositional process, which includes reading "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland, and engaging in written and verbal reflections on the creative journey. (1 unit; Grades 11-12; Dance 2 or instructor approval required)

THE CEDAR STREET DANCE COMPANY
Cedar Street is an audition-based student dance company composed of the most serious and dedicated dancers at Rye Country Day School. The company performs a variety of repertoire and values technique, passion, hard work, expression, and creativity. Members serve as  ambassadors of the RCDS dance program and work together to enhance the community through dance and performance. Cedar Street works to bring attention to the artistry and athleticism of dance. Cedar Street meets twice a week, for two hours, and is divided into three seasons corresponding with the sports seasons (although not required, it is encouraged that company members commit to all three seasons). Dancers perform in a variety of capacities such as special programs, community meetings, events, fairs, and concerts. Formal performances include: 

• Fall - The Winter Choreography Showcase
• Spring - The Spring Dance Performance

The Cedar Street Dance company is viewed in line with athletic teams and fulfills the PE credit. (Auditions for new members will be held at the onset of each season. Returning members do not need to audition again).