Weaver Academy Drama


The Arts Academy is a full-time high school option for grades 9-12. Students may apply to their area of interest by completing the application process and audition requirements. Drama Instructors
		Lindsey Clinton-Kraack clintol@gcsnc.com	Keith Taylor taylork@gcsnc.com
Drama Curriculum
	The Weaver Academy Theatre Department is committed to bringing a focused, more advanced theatrical education to high school students from across Guilford County and endeavors to provide students with the tools necessary to function as developing artists. A comprehensive combination of classroom training, company engagement, and realized production work allows for a well-rounded learning experience with an emphasis on collaboration and creative process. Students of the department experience a wide range of classes that are not offered at other area schools including courses such as advanced acting methods, directing, period styles, and musical theatre. The department offers a full season of diverse theatre productions, competitions, and performance opportunities. Principle Area Courses and Projects Drama Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “B” as a final semester grade or higher: Freshmen year -- Drama I (2 semesters) • The first level principles course serves to set fundamentals and create ensemble from which to build the next four years. The course is a general exploration of theatre that develops a better understanding of the elements of theatre, an introduction to voice and body work, beginning vocabulary, and creating a production. Sophomore year -- Drama II (2 semesters) • This course continues the exploration of basic techniques of acting, with an emphasis on external techniques focusing on voice, body, and physical approaches to characterization such as Commedia dell’arte and internal techniques focusing on scoring, objectives, tactics, character analysis, character history and an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the voice, body and character. Junior year – Honors Advanced Theatre and Advanced Theatre Lab (1 semester each) • This advanced acting course emphasizes ensemble work, character development, script analysis, and introductions to college-level acting techniques. Students continue to explore voice and body, improvisation, monologue, and scene work. Senior year – Honors Advanced Theatre II and Advanced Theatre II Lab (1 semester each) • In the Fall semester the focus will be on Directing. This senior level course explores the role of the director with specific emphasis on play interpretation, casting, rehearsal procedures, staging, and practical application through projects in which the students take turns directing each other. In the Spring semester the focus will be on Period Styles. An advanced acting course emphasizing acting style and techniques related to specific periods of world theatre from the Greeks to Ibsen. Focus includes characterization and interpretation with a special emphasis on the language and movement of the period. PORTFOLIO • Students will begin the process of collecting materials for a portfolio the first semester of their freshmen year. They will add to and refine the contents of the portfolio each semester through graduation. Students will compile a record of their theatre skills and learning which could later be used for application to college or professional work. The portfolio will include: drama resume; selected audition & monologue materials; examples of scene work; examples of tech projects, samples of research, script writing, review, etc.; records of all acting and tech experiences including artifacts when possible. Senior Drama Performance (Capstone Art Project) (2nd semester Senior year-part of Adv. Theatre II Lab) • Designed to prepare students for undergraduate auditions (Note: This is in addition and not related to Senior English class “Graduation Project”) Production Experience • Students are expected to log hours with the co-curricular acting company of the Weaver Theatre department throughout their four years. Students should participate in a minimum of two shows yearly either on stage or on a production crew. All records will be maintained through the International Thespian Society and their established point system. Assessments • Student’s artistic work will be assessed by faculty at the end of each semester. This is viewed as “real world” experience in the form of a professional interview or audition. Supporting Courses In addition, Drama Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “C” as a final semester grade or higher: Technical Theatre (typically Sophomore year) • Designed to give students an overview of the entire process of the technical aspects of designing and running a theatrical production. This is a hands on class for an actual play production on campus, instructing the student about basic skills for scenery construction and painting techniques, lighting, sound, make-up and safety techniques in all work areas. Script Analysis/Writing (Freshmen or Sophomore year) • Designed to cover the basic elements of playwriting including structure, character, dialog, conflict and theme. Students will use an improvisational approach to writing focusing on a series of directed prompts resulting in many short works that may be chosen from for development into longer plays. Students will complete a 10-minute or one-act play. Musical Theatre (Sophomore or Junior year) • Designed to provide historical context and exploration of the world of musical theatre through research, discussion and practical experience in auditioning for and performing in musical theatre. Film I (typically Senior year) • Designed to lead students in the study of the history, progression, techniques and styles of movies from early films through the present. Students will get hands on experience with filming and editing class video projects. Choose one of the following: • Construction Technology I • Dance I (by audition) • Vocal Music (by audition) • Class Piano • Studio Guitar • Basic Musicianship • Intro to Recording *Click here for complete PVA Curriculum and CAMY Award requirements*
Application Process Application must be hand-written by the student. Parent/Guardian signature is required on the last page. Rising 9th graders should include a copy of their most recent 8th grade report card and documentation of computer competency tests that have been taken. Rising 10th graders should include a transcript along with proof that all 8th grade end-of-grade and computer competency skills have been passed. A copy of your child’s immunization records is required. Two letters of recommendation must be included in the packet: one from your school administrator, counselor, or a teacher and one from an instructor in your specialized area who can address your talents, abilities, and potential. Applicants with an IEP must have parent/guardian secure a copy of the IEP and include it in the packet. Only completed application packets will be reviewed by the Weaver Academy Admissions Committee. Only candidates with complete application packets will be contacted to schedule an audition and personal interview. Weaver Academy only offers an honors curriculum, therefore, students will be selected who exhibit characteristics necessary for success. Following the interview, students will be notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance into the program. All acceptances are contingent on applicant providing proof that all EOGs and Algebra I End-of-Course test have been passed.
Auditions Drama students should:
Submit a resume of theatre experience with application. Be prepared to participate in a 30-minute warm-up class. Be dressed to move; no skirts! Prepare a one-minute monologue which demonstrates your acting ability. This monologue can be from any period of theatre history. The monologue will be delivered from memory, and should be you playing a character other than yourself. The monologue should be from a published play; no movie monologues. You will be given a cold reading to perform. A personal interview will be conducted at the time of audition.