Prep Players

This course is invaluable to all students as public speaking will be an integral part of their academic and professional future.  The skills taught in this course will give students an edge in class presentations, groups work, and writing skills. The goal is to use theatre and public speaking to help students work on skills that they will use in all classes in the future.

In the first semester, students will study various types of speeches, working on their writing and presence in front of an audience. This will include creative writing opportunities, as well as practice in physical and vocal presentation techniques. In the second semester, students will reinforce these skills through a study of theatrical performance.

Students will examine the various elements of the theatre—design, directing and acting—experimenting with each and exploring how they work together.  Through participation in workshops, students put their knowledge into action, designing sets, creating costumes, working with improvisation, and writing short plays. With this background, students will analyze dramatic texts, and create a final scene study project.

Plays were never meant to be read by someone sitting alone in a chair; they were meant to be watched. American playwrights like Arthur Miller, August Wilson, and Tennessee Williams show us a great deal about human nature and the American experience. This class will be a great chance to put together an interest in history, literature, art, and film as it will take a look at how directors bring these iconic works to life. Along with traditional essay writing, assessments will include film making, design projects and criticisms.  This is an elective course offered to seniors.