Hilliard Davidson High School Curriculum
Acting One
ACTING 1 - One-half Credit
Gr. 9, 10, 11, 12
Code No. 171
In acting, a student will learn about and develop the skills needed for playing a part in a play. The course starts with movement exercise designed to show the student ways of expressing oneself physically. Vocal exercises are added that concentrate on improving the vocal expression of feelings and emotions. The students will then perform scenes from various types of plays-drama, comedy and classical. They will receive instruction in character interpretation and expression of that character. This is a performance centered course. In the process of learning about and playing other people, the students also learn more about themselves.
Acting Two
ACTING 2 - One-half Credit
Gr. 10, 11, 12
Code No. 172
Prerequisite: This course is open to students with a "B" or better in Acting 1, or with special permission from the instructor. The class will be offered in sequence with Acting 1, so students must schedule Acting 1 first semester or the year before they take Acting 2.
The course will allow the serious acting student to work on all aspects of performance in greater depth. The course will include intensive work on scenes from drama, comedy, and Shakespeare. Directing skills and stage make-up will also be taught. In addition to regular course work, guest speakers will be invited to speak on professional theatre and at least one field trip will be arranged to a local theatre production. The final project in the course will be the production of a one act play.
Acting Three
One-half Credit
Gr. 11, 12
Code No. 173
Prerequisite: This course is open to students with a "B" or better in Acting 2, or with special permission of the instructor.
The class will be offered in sequence with Acting 1 and Acting 2. This course will allow the serious acting student to work on his performance skills in great depth. In addition to intensive class work, the student will prepare and present a professional portfolio and resume and produce a showcase with advanced scene work.
Theatrical Design and Production
One-half Credit
Gr. 9, 10, 11, 12
Code No. 174
No prerequisite
This course gives students exposure to several aspects of technical theatre. Students will have practical and theoretical experience in set design, set construction, lighting, sound, rigging, and special effects. As a part of this course, students will design sets, light plots, and a sound tape. Note: Art supplies and other materials will be required over the semester.
Advanced Theatrical Design and Production
One-half Credit
Gr. 10, 11, 12
Code No. 175
Prerequisite: This course is open to students with a "B" or better in Stagecrafts or with special permission of the instructor.
This course will allow the serious theatre student to work on a selected aspect of technical theatre in greater depth. The student will develop his personal work into a portfolio and submit it to an authentic review. Note: Art supplies and other materials will be required over the semester.
Directing
One-half Credit
Gr. 11, 12
Code No. 176
Prerequisite: grade of "B" or better in Acting 1 and 2 or permission of instructor.
This course will teach students the basic elements of directing for the theatre. Students will read excerpts from books on directing, learn blocking techniques and play selection and criticism. Students will apply what they learn by directing Acting 2 students in various scenes. The course culminates with the full production of a one-act play selected and directed by the student.
Theatre Studies
One-half Credit
Gr. 9, 10, 11, 12
Code No. 124
No Prerequisites
May count as a college English requirement or a college Arts requirement, but not both. This course gives students exposure to costume design, makeup, theatre history, and dramatic literature. Theatre's role in our culture and history will be examined, and the major periods and genres of theatre literature will be studied. Students will be expected to read 8 to 10 plays as part of the course.
Advanced Theatre Studies
One-half Credit
Gr. 10, 11, 12
Code No. 125
Prerequisite: Completion of Theatre Arts and permission of the instructor.
May count as a college English requirement or a college Arts requirement, but not both. This course will allow the serious dramatic literature student to work on a selected aspect of dramatic literature. The student will develop his work into a portfolio or presentation and submit it for authentic review.