CYT DRAMA Class Benchmarks
Drama 1
Become a character from head to toe. Explore the building blocks of acting through creative movement, story enactment, theater games, imagination journeys and more! You'll be able to use your whole body, voice & facial expressions to portray everything from a swashbuckling pirate to a oompa loompa. Create your character from scratch and perform in scenes like Chronicles of Narnia, Treasure Island, Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland and more.
Benchmarks:
Learn to memorize a script
Introduce and execute dramatic auditions
Understand and integrate stage directions in blocking scenes
Introduce concepts of physicality, diction, vocal quality and facial expressions in creating a characterization
Present and build on teamwork through various exercises & theater games
Stretch imagination & creativity through theater games
Introduce concept of stage business and how to integrate into a performance
Drama 2
Pre-requisite: 1 drama class
Take your acting skills to the next level in this challenging drama class. Build on previous experience and create authentic emotion, genuine relationships, engage in environment and build dramatic tension in scenes. Learn how to get into a character’s head and make it your own or build a character from scratch. Engage in a variety of dramatic styles from skits, plays & more. This class is a great opportunity to stop pretending and start acting!
Benchmarks:
Learn how to interpret different dramatic scripts.
Learn and engage in sensory/emotional recall in creating believable scenes.
Understand differences between portraying “stock characters” and creating new ones.
Incorporate environment, relationships, stage business & conflict resolution into performances.
Advanced group activities such as group cohesion & improv.
Discover approaches to creating a character including character analysis, character improv, open scenes, physicality exercises.
Drama 3 (One Act)
Pre-requisite: 2 drama or musical theater classes & audition
Expand your characterization and delve deeper into the world of acting. Discover how to create a dynamic character and bring the story alive. Using improv, drama games, and open scenes, students will learn how to find a character arc, incorporate environment, make strong creative choices and use sensory recall in creative believable scenes. All will present a one act production at the end of the session using their new skills.
Benchmarks:
Students will be able to use open scenes in a variety of exercises.
Understand conflict, resolution and dramatic action and how to utilize them.
Present a longer dramatic production (1 act) keep sustained interest, energy and creativity.
Learn and engage in sensory/emotional recall in creating believable scenes.
Analyze and critique their and classmates performances
Make clear choices in character traits & behaviors.
Drama 4 (Readers Theater)
Grab your storytelling skills, imagination, and energy while discovering Readers Theater. Stretch your creative acting skills and use your voice to paint vivid pictures and characters. Work with your classmates to create an ensemble dramatic piece.
Benchmarks:
Students will discover and articulate the differences between traditional theater and readers theater.
Students will gain an appreciation for how fiction and nonfiction can be adapted to Reader's Theatre form for a variety of uses.
Students will gain an understanding of both visual and oral communication techniques and how they are effectively utilized in the Reader's Theatre setting to bring literature “to life”.
Students will learn the critical differences between Reader's Theatre and conventional stage theatre: adaptable scripts; multiple genres of literature employed; minimal costuming and props needed; accessibility to special needs students; lack of memorization; etc.
Recognize and learn how to adapt texts for readers theater.
Understand and execute vocal inflection and pacing in readers theater.
Drama 5(Monologues) (Ages 12-18)
Pre-requisite: 1 drama class
It's time to take the spotlight in your acting. Focus on portraying a believable, interesting character through a monologue. Learn to select and prepare pieces that are just right for your skills and talents. You'll get the chance to perfect and polish both a dramatic & comedic monologue a focus on dramatic audition fundamentals.
Benchmarks:
Learn how to select and cut dramatic monologues.
Practice monologues multiple times, and receive feedback for improvement.
Learn proper placement, blocking & movement in performing a monologue.
Learn how to analyze flow, internal thoughts and story structure in a monologue.
Critique classmates performances.
Learn how to select a monologue for different genres of productions/characters.
Focus on diction, vocal quality, breathing and emotion in a monologue.
Drama 6 (Accents & Dialects/Voice & Diction) (Ages12-18)
Unlock the voice of your character and broaden your acting abilities. You'll be able to portray every accent from a British gentleman to a Southern belle. Advanced skills will include proper vocal placement, diction, breathing, articulation, inflection and more.
Benchmarks:
Students will be able to produce a variety of accents including proper British, cockney, New York, Southern, German & others
Students will learn how to create a “character voice”.
Learn proper vocal placement, resonance & diction.
Practice a variety of vocal “styles” including newscaster, character, storyteller and others.
Drama 7 (Acting Approaches) Ages 12-18
Pre-requisite 2 drama classes
Stanislavsky. Adler. Hagen. Meisner. Shurtleff. Lugering. There are many methods of acting, and each one has valuable tools and techniques for actors to incorporate. Learn what the masters have to say about journaling, emotional preparation, sense memory, repetition, the 12 guideposts, and physical properties. This class will provide a variety of applicable approaches to analyzing a script, embracing your character, preparing to go on stage, and being in the moment.
Benchmarks:
Identify the major acting methods covered in the class, describe the principles of each one, and discuss the similarities and differences between them
Approach a script with any of the covered acting methods or a combination of methods in terms of analysis and execution of the text
Demonstrate a sound grasp of the techniques covered in the class through monologue work and scene work
Embrace techniques from various methods that resonate with them and incorporate them into their personal monologue work and scene work
Observe a scene or a monologue and identify what techniques were utilized to shape it and suggest other techniques that would help strengthen the piece
Drama 8 for Teens (Scene Study) (Ages 12-18)
Pre-requisite 3 drama classes
Challenge yourself and your acting repertoire with this scene study class. Designed to prepare students to audition & perform in a Drama 10 Production, you'll be stretched and strengthened from all angles. Immerse yourself in a acting from character analysis to physicality. Practice and perfect cold reading techniques and discover how to engage your creativity. Discover how to analyze a scene and engage your senses in performing. Rehearse and perform scenes from a variety of classic theater and modern scripts.
Benchmarks:
Students will be able to use open scenes in a variety of exercises.
Present a longer dramatic scene and keep sustained interest, energy and creativity.
Learn and engage in sensory/emotional recall in creating believable scenes.
Make clear choices in character traits & behaviors.
Understand how to analyze a scene quickly and look for the story elements.
Practice cold reading techniques.
Learn how to create sustained dramatic tension or comedic timing through a scene.
Participate in physicality, voice and character trait exercises
Perform group cohesion and team building games and activities.
Understand and utilize acting skills to portray environment & relationship.
Perform a character based scene for showcase from a classic or modern play.
Invent a character based on personal experience or research.
Student direct a scene
Drama 9 for Teens (Meisner Method) (ages 14-18)
Pre-requisite 3 drama or musical theater classes
Required texts: Sanford Meisner on Acting and Sanford Meisner Approach: An Actor’s Workbook
Okay, actors. Let's get real. We’ve all seen performances that gave us goose bumps and made us laugh and cry. And you want to know how do they make it look so real. This class will not only answer that question but will teach you how to evoke the same reaction. Learn the principles of basic acting from a purely personal and realistic perspective. This technique will give you the tools to break bad habits, strip yourself free of artificiality, and embrace yourself and your scene partner completely. Welcome to the world of Sanford Meisner.
Benchmarks:
Actively listening to their scene partners.
Generate honest, instinctual reactions.
Live moment to moment through the reality of doing.
Observe two fellow actors engaged in a Meisner exercise and evaluate which principles they are successfully utilizing and which ones they still need to incorporate and further develop.
Verbally express the qualities of artificial acting and how the basics of the Meisner technique can lay the foundation for an authentic approach.
Drama 10 for teens: Shakespeare (14-18)
Pre-requisite: 1 drama class
To be, or not to be—that is the question. Come learn what it takes to be a Shakespearean actor. This class will tackle Shakespeare’s language and equip every actor to approach Shakespeare’s scripts with the proper knowledge and techniques. After laying the foundation through an intense, detailed script scoring process, we will approach Shakespeare’s language with specific acting techniques that will bring out the best in the text—and in you. Put your newfound skills to the test as we workshop monologues as well as scenes. After this class, you will never fear the great Bard again!
Benchmarks:
Score a Shakespeare monologue with proper scansion
Translate a Shakespeare monologue into contemporary language
Identify the beat transitions, words of emphasis, imagery, and alliteration in a Shakespeare monologue
Demonstrate clear comprehension, articulation, and projection of Shakespearean language
Incorporate variety in terms of vocal timber and tempo when delivering Shakespeare lines
Perform a memorized Shakespeare monologue and a memorized Shakespeare scene that reflects all of the above objectives
Drama 11: Drama Production (Ages 12-18)
Pre-requisite: 2 drama classes & audition
Embark on an exciting acting challenge in advanced drama. Through producing an extended dramatic or comedic play, you'll discover how to create a in-depth character, engage in environment and create exciting scenes. Every cast member will have an important role in the production as an actor, as well as opportunities to assist with props, costumes, sets, publicity and directing. Past productions include Importance of Being Earnest, The Crucible, Play On, Midsummer Nights Dream, Wait Until Dark and The Matchmaker. This is an audition only class with an additional fee requirements. Check confirmation for details.
Benchmarks:
Students will learn to complete an in-depth character analysis and incorporate in their performance.
Learn how to create sustained dramatic tension or comedic timing through a scene.
Identify “beats” in the script and build a character arc.
Participate in physicality, voice and character trait exercises
Perform group cohesion and team building games and activities.
Assist with production aspects including props, sets, publicity, directing & costumes.
Learn the importance of background including author research, period analysis and vocabulary.
Understand and utilize acting skills to portray environment & relationship.
Differentiate between vocal pitch, rate & volume in affecting articulation, meaning & character.
Perform a full length or extended dramatic/comedic script.