THEATRE PERFORMANCE CLASSES
Dance Beginning
This course engages students in the basic principles of movement through Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Lyrical dance forms. Students learn dance terminology, technique, and choreography while developing an appreciation for dance as an art form. All students are welcome.
Typically offered both semesters. No prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 P.E. or .5 Fine Arts credit.
Dance Advanced
This course reviews and builds on the principles of movement: space, time, shape, and effort through Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Lyrical dance forms. This course has increased emphasis on student technique and chorography studies while developing an appreciation for dance as an art form. All students are welcome.
Typically offered both semesters. No prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 P.E. or .5 Fine Arts credit.
Theatre Beginning
This introductory course is for all students looking to develop skills in acting and performing in front of others. Public speaking, creative problem solving, and collaboration are explored through creative activities, voice and movement exercises, improvisation, story structure, creating character, and scene study. No previous theatre experience necessary. All students are welcome.
At Roosevelt, all performance students begin the performance track in this class--including students with extensive prior experience. This is to ensure all students within the program learn the same foundational performance processes used in more advanced classes at Roosevelt and to make sure everyone has a common vocabulary and repertoire to draw from.
Typically offered both semesters. No prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit.
Theatre Advanced
This advanced course expands exposure to contemporary and classic plays, broadens student repertoire of audition material, and explores specialized acting skills. The course may include topics such as advanced acting methods, resume development, movement-based acting techniques, pantomime, mask work, improvisation, stage combat, stage make-up, or creative drama.
At Roosevelt, this class produces The Variety Show, an evening of Stage Combat, Pantomime, and Improvised Comedy acts for a public audience. Later in the term, we complete an extensive unit on stage makeup as well as a Creative Drama program that tours to kindergarten classes in partnership with the Seattle Children's Theatre Drama School.
Typically offered second semester only. No prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit.
Theatre History and Literature
This class introduces students to analyzing characters, relationships, subtext, historical context, and story stuctures in plays and musicals that represent global theatre genres and styles. Throughout the course, students engage in readers theatre work and writing activities. No previous theatre experience necessary. All students are welcome.
Typically offered second semester only. No Prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 Language Arts (if a Junior or Senior) or .5 Fine Arts credit
Narrative Theatre
In this project-based course, students are introduced to the art of adapting narrative literature for the stage. Students select, analyze, adapt, and stage published short stories, favorite children’s or young adult literature, or novels into a live performance, taking the words from the page to the stage.
At Roosevelt, this class produces The Book-It Shows in partnership with a resident teaching artist from Seattle's Book-It Repertory Theatre. Everyone has the opportunity to apply to adapt and direct a piece of literature for fellow classmates to rehearse and perform for a public audience.
Typically offered first semester only. No prerequisite.. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit.
Theatre Directing
In this project-based special topic course, students learn the basic elements of directing for the stage and leadership skills required to produce a play. Topics include script analysis, collaboration with designers, casting processes, scheduling, table work, blocking, and creating an ensemble.
At Roosevelt, the class culminates in the Dramafest student-directed one act play festival. Must be a senior who has taken Theatre Beginning and at least one of the following: Narrative Theatre, Playwriting, or Theatre Advanced.
Typically offered first semester only. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit or .5 CTE credit.
Theatre Playwriting:
In this project-based course, students are introduced writing plays by exploring personal ideas and experiences and expressing them in an original short-play format. By learning the specific techniques and styles of writing for the stage, students have a chance to creatively express and communicate an idea through a theatrical script that is performed for an audience.
At Roosevelt, the class culminates in the Roughwriter Show which is a preview showcase of scenes from the new scripts generated by the class. Dramafest Directors are encouraged to attend and consider the plays from this class for Dramafest the following fall!
Typically offered second semester only. No prerequisite. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit.
Theatre Play Production
This course prepares students to use the skills and techniques of acting and performance in one or more plays produced for a public audience. This course mirrors professional theater standards, culminating with a full-scale production of a play. Students enrolled in the course may also have opportunities to work in areas of theatre production including directing, scenic design and construction, costuming, properties, stage management, promotions and publicity.
At Roosevelt, auditions for the Play Production class happen in the spring of the year before and are open to anyone who has completed Theatre Beginning. This class will either present one large mainstage production or several small-cast productions in repertory. Most rehearsals happen in class until tech begins after school. While the class is repeatable, students must audition each year as the type and number of roles available is dependent on the needs of the production(s) themselves.
Typically offered first semester only. Prerequisite: Audition. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit or .5 CTE credit. Class may be repeated.
Musical Theatre Production:
This course prepares students to synthesize the skills and techniques of acting, singing, dancing and performance into a musical theatre production for a public audience. Throughout this process students develop community by working as an ensemble. This course mirrors professional theater standards, culminating in a full-scale production of a musical.
At Roosevelt, auditions for the Musical Production class happen before winter break and are open to anyone in the school, regardless of previous experience. This class will present the annual Spring Musical mainstage production, with most rehearsals happening in class until around April when after school rehearsals are added. While the class is repeatable, students must audition each year as the type and number of roles available is dependent on the needs of the production.
Typically offered second semester only. No Prerequisite, auditions open to all. Can be taken for .5 Fine Arts credit or .5 CTE credit. Class may be repeated.