Performing Arts: Drama

PERFORMING ARTS: DRAMA

OVERVIEW

Grade Level	# of Periods per Week	Length of Periods
Four	1	45 minutes
Five *	1	45 minutes
Six	1	40 minutes
Seven	1	40 minutes
Eight	3 (for 1 trimester)	40 minutes

* elective with track or instrumental music

Number of faculty: Two

The Drama curriculum at St. James Academy is designed to help students learn the skills necessary to communicate with an audience. Each student's internal experience is expanded through dramatic play. Different aspects of theatre arts including language, costuming, scenery, lighting, sound systems, and video production techniques are explored. The students' spiritual and moral needs are recognized by relating each drama exercise to Christian values such as cooperation, humor, love, honesty, patience, and respect for self and others.

GOALS:

Students will:

Take part in class exercises intended to increase the student's sensitivity to and awareness of him/herself and others;
Explore the physical elements of theatre;
Explore the spiritual element of theatre;
Learn the language of the theatre;
Learn the elements of story-telling;
Present theatrical productions for students and parents, as well as oral presentations in class;
Begin the lifelong goal of discovering and gaining mastery over senses, imaginations, bodies, speech, emotions, and intellect;
Develop an ability to work as a team;
Begin to overcome unproductive self-consciousness.