"Coming from two years of theatre in middle school to being immersed in high school theatre with Cook, I can say without a doubt Cook taught me how to actually act. He's patient and never judges a piece right away, but works with me to constantly make it the best version it can be. Both Cook and Willie expect the best from us, and push us whenever we ask for help because they both know what we're all capable of."
Erin H. - Incoming High School Senior
Exploration of acting in various genres and styles to encourage more well rounded, versatile, and knowledgeable performing through the lens of classical and contemporary works. Among other techniques, students will learn how to act those styles through the use of GOTE, Shakespearean technique, and physical dynamics.
Acting 1 - Exploring the fundamentals of acting through contemporary plays
Acting 2 - Furthering your understanding of the fundamentals through modern plays
Acting 3 - Exploring style and genre through early modern and restoration plays
Acting 4 - Enhancing techniques useful in Greek and Shakespearean plays
A certificate of completion
A showcase: Students will have the opportunity to showcase the pieces they’ve been working on via zoom for a live audience.
An edited reel: Acting students will receive an edited reel of their performances that will be useful to send for auditions and/or to have on file.
Exploration of writing in various genres and styles to encourage more well rounded, versatile, and knowledgeable writing, through the lens of contemporary and classical works. After learning basic playwriting technique from different eras, students will then tackle writing various forms, styles, and genres.
Playwriting 1 - Basics of playwriting; writing scenes for contemporary theatre
Playwriting 2 - Exploring the structure and form of the 10 minute play
Playwriting 3 - Exploring effective and creative ways of utitlizing subtext in longer form drama
Playwriting 4 - Exploring the structure and form of realism
A certificate of completion
A reading: Playwriting students will receive a read of their work via zoom. The play will be read by both professional actors as well as actors in advanced level acting training.
A portfolio: Throughout the course students will create content for a portfolio, which they’ll be able to use for college interviews and playwriting submissions.
Students will pair exploring theatre history along with their chosen area of focus.
Exploring the history of Western theatre as broken down into 4 sections: Greek, Shakespeare, Early Modern, and Modern. By learning these histories students will have a richer understanding of the origin of theatre and will therefore allow more depth and context to enter into their work for their desired concentration.
Plays: Each student will be working from different plays and materials in order to increase diversity and perspective. Based on the responses students provide in their signup form (theatrical interests, experiences, etc.), we will handpick their material in the hopes that they’ll receive material that can be close to them, and material that can stretch their theatrical point of view.
Plays and Scenes: Each student will be working from different plays, scenes, and materials in order to increase diversity and perspective. Based on the responses students provide in their signup form (theatrical interests, experiences, etc.), we will handpick their material in the hopes that they’ll receive material that can be close to them, and material that can stretch their theatrical point of view.
Readings: Each student will be working with an array of powerpoints, articles, excerpts, and other relevant materials in order to increase diversity and perspective.