To expand students’ world view by exploring dramatic literature representative of various cultural perspectives.
To lay the pre-professional groundwork that will provide students with the skills necessary to continue their artistic pursuits at prestigious universities and conservatories.
To challenge students to view theatre as a lightning rod for social change, replacing complacency with action and apathy with empathy.
To create theatrical work that unites the SCPA family and provides a source of pride for students, staff, families, alumni and the extended arts community.
To participate in, and develop an appreciation of, multiple components of a theatrical production, creating a comprehensive understanding of the essential elements each component provides.
To create an artistic environment that values all points of views and honors the uniqueness of each individual. |
ELECTIVES – GRADE 6
All 6th graders participate in the Fine Arts exploratory wheel to allow them to explore SCPA’s core fine arts courses. Some students, with teacher recommendation and/or audition, may choose instead to specialize in Instrumental Music (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Band or Orchestra); Choral Music (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced); or Dance (General Dance or Dance Foundations taken as P.E. credit).
DRAMA BEGINNING (1457.2)
Grades 7-8
This entry-level full year course will have an emphasis on the concepts and skills of creative drama utilizing the skills of improvisation, and reader’s theater.
DRAMA INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED (1458/9)
Grades 7-8
(Placement by audition)
These full-year courses expand on beginning level dramatic skills continuing with development in acting methods, stage movement, audition techniques, and play readings. The advanced level has a special emphasis on public performance.
DRAMA/THEATER 1,2 (1423)
Grades 9
Prerequisite: Audition placement for Drama Major.
COURSE MAY NOT BE REPEATED.
This is an entry-level full year course that is designed for drama major students. Emphasis will be on the concepts and skills of creative drama utilizing the skills of mime, improvisation, and reader’s theater. Students will develop group support and cooperation skills that are vital components of the SCPA drama theater framework. Experience and background information will be provided to develop awareness and appreciation of the disciplines and rewards of creativity and to acquaint the students with terms and vocabulary unique to the theater arts. This course gives a foundation for entry into second level drama course.
DRAMA 1,2 (1423)
Grades 10-12
COURSE MAY NOT BE REPEATED.
This is an entry-level full year course that is flexible enough to meet the needs of all beginning SCPA students. Emphasis will be on the concepts and skills of creative drama utilizing the skills of mime, improvisation, and reader’s theater. Students will develop group support and cooperation skills that are vital components of the SCPA drama theater framework. Experience and background information will be provided to develop awareness and appreciation of the disciplines and rewards of creativity and to acquaint the students with terms and vocabulary unique to the theater arts. This course gives a foundation for entry into second level drama course.
DRAMA 3,4* (1425)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or teacher recommendation.
COURSE MAY NOT BE REPEATED.
The second year’s instruction in drama emphasizes the practical application of dramatic theory and relates dramatic expression to cultural development by involving students in a variety of production techniques, including makeup, analysis, and stagecraft. Research and performance of scenes with historical an/or cultural contexts are covered.
DRAMA 5,6* (1427)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drama 3,4.
COURSE MAY NOT BE REPEATED.
This third year Drama course focuses primarily on script analysis and dramatic structure. Students’ voices, bodies and imaginations will be trained to maximize their abilities to bring text to life. Plays, monologues and speeches will be utilized as well as original (student created) text, providing exposure to a wide range of theatrical forms and performance styles.
MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP 1,2*
(1411)**
Grades 10-12
This one-year course is designed to provide a guided workshop for students to practice and polish musical theater audition and performance skills. A study of the musical theater form, history and styles will be included as well as many opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with major figures in musical theater. The workshop will require the students' self- discipline and ability to set and reach individual goals. Students will be required to give individual and ensemble performances on a regular basis. This course meets the requirements of the elective courses for the UC system. **This course will be taught in conjunction with Intro to Theater Dance/Musical Theater.
MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP 3,4* (1453)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Audition required. The audition will require a prepared song.
This one-year course is a continuation of Musical Theater 1,2. A study of the musical theater form, history and styles will be studied in greater depth.
PRODUCTION & PERFORMANCE 1,2* (1445)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Theater Arts Focus/Stage and Screen Focus. Audition required.
This one-year course focuses on the preparation and organization of theatrical presentations. Students must participate in class productions, dividing responsibility for the business and support aspects of production, working on a "contract" basis to carry out publicity, public relations, ticket sales, program printing, advertising (program) sales, house, prop, make-up, and costume management activities. Also, this class will function as the nucleus for "The Supporting Cast," SCPA's Drama Club, and will engage in club fund-raising and public relations activities. High school students enrolled in this class will also provide the nucleus for San Diego City Schools Speech and Drama League activities as entrants representing SCPA. Audition required. This course meets the requirements of the elective courses for the UC system.
INTRO TO TECHNICAL THEATER 1,2 (1407)
Grades 10-12
This introductory course covers the basic construction and use of sets, costumes, lighting, make-up, props, sound, and special effects in theater. As the school year progresses, students are given opportunities to serve in technical capacities for school and classroom productions. They also are required to compare and connect theater to other art forms and disciplines, and to career exploration. Priority is given to technical theater students for placement on school stage crews.
TECHNICAL THEATRE 1-2 (1413), 3-4 (1462) THEATRICAL DESIGN (1437)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intro to Technical Theater and teacher recommendation.
This two-period course must be taken as a block. It is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and techniques to build, paint, hang, and light the sets for SCPA Production and Performance and Mainstage Productions with an emphasis in design. An artistic and technical aptitude is desirable along with a strong desire to work in these areas. This is a production class; student self- discipline and the willingness to readily assist are mandatory. During production periods, students will be required to work after school and on some Saturdays. Students will be given the opportunity to serve in technical capacities for SCPA productions. Due to the high demand placed upon students, grading will be on a contractual basis. A student may repeat this course for additional credit. |
