Theater Arts

Acting Honors

1.0 Credit; Weighted; Honors credit
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily
or
0.5 Credit, Unweighted, non-Honors credit (05160955)
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grades: 10-12 (9th grade considered, only with recommendation from teacher/director and résumé)
Repeat the Course: Yes
Prerequisites: Teacher Approval

Honors Acting is a course for the experienced student actor who wishes to collaborate with their fellow student actors, and to begin building a portfolio of their performances. Students who wish to go into theatre will work to create their pre-screen auditions materials for college. Students will be evaluated on in-class participation and culminating performances in many forms. Students will learn through the masterclass procedure of their peers. Students will be expected to utilize correct theatre vocabulary, and be able to intellectually analyze and create characters, plots, and storylines. Students are expected to memorize materials. At least three performances are presented to the public: Monologue Night, Scenework Night, and an original show entitled In My Life. Through these performances, students will gain more experience in preparing monologues, and acting in scenes. Some students will direct scenes. Students will create their own monologues, scenes, and plays, as well as create more complex and productive improvisations in the long form. Students are expected to audition for the Radnor Actors Workshop performances, but do not necessarily have to participate onstage; All students, however, will be expected to assist the performances in some way. Professionalism and self-discipline are absolutely required of members of this elite class. This course is open to students in grades 10-12. 9th grade students with teacher/director recommendation and résumé will be considered.

Advanced Textile Arts and Fashion Design

1.0 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily
Prerequisite(s): Textile Arts, with a minimum grade of a “C”
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Advanced Textile Arts and Fashion Design offers an exciting opportunity for students interested in fashion design. Students will not only improve their sewing skills and increase their knowledge by completing challenging projects, but students will also have the opportunity to design and create costumes for the fall play and spring musical. Advanced Textile Arts and Fashion Design emphasizes creativity, individuality, and a sense of accomplishment as the degree of difficulty for each project increases. Not only does this course provide a lifelong skill and offer a hobby, but it also provides a chance to explore careers in the fashion industry.

Behind the Scenes Workshop

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Behind The Scenes Workshop is a course designed specifically for students who wish to showcase their unique artistic interests and talents in a big way. This course will allow you to leave your mark at RHS through direct involvement in the creative hands-on production of many school-wide projects and events. Shine a spot light on your talents as you help design, paint and construct sets and props for the LM pep rally, theatrical productions, and musicals. Work collaboratively with peers to paint murals around RHS, highlighting the many wonderful facets of our school community. Join a crew of dedicated artists, working “behind the scenes”. This course is open to all students and ability levels.

Musical Theatre Performance

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Repeat the Course: Yes

All levels of singing experience welcome! “Think of musical comedy – the two most glorious words in the English language!” – Julian Marsh, from 42nd Street. America is the birthplace of the musical, and this course will be focused on musical theatre; its reflection of American history as it unfolds; its unique style of musical storytelling and character; and the many diverse qualities that make it uniquely American Musical Theatre. Students will analyze songs and lyrics; listen to musical scores; and view clips and videos of performances. The core of the course is in the preparation and rehearsal for the culminating assessment, the Radnor Actors Workshop Musical Theatre Cabaret. Each student will have a song to prepare, research, and perform in the Cabaret as a solo, and there will at least two ensemble numbers for the Cabaret. There will individual voice lessons, and there will also be considerable work on general audition preparations. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the Broadway Musical; experience and coaching for auditions; and have significant performance experience and feedback on their performance.

Note: Singing is an expectation of this course - ALL levels of experience welcome, from the beginner to the experienced singers.

Public Speaking

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Repeat the Course: No

Welcoming all students, Public Speaking is perfect for the student who wishes to pursue a career that may require public speaking. Those students who might be considering careers in management, government, business, medicine, law, journalism, teaching, etc. should consider taking this course, especially if they have had little or no experience or training on stage. Students who have stage fright are especially welcome to take this course, and learn to work through their anxiety in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. In this course, students will complete activities, each of which focuses on the elements of a strong public presentation. In addition to the work “on the stage”, Students will individually engage in mock professional interviews to help prepare them for college interviews, as well as workforce interviews. Taking a stage acting approach to speech and oratory, students will build on their vocal production skills, as well as construct a compelling speech. Students will also engage in debates. Students will create video recorded journalistic newscasts, as well as audio recorded newscasts (radio). The course culminates in a performance of talks in the TED style.

Technical Theatre

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grades: 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Repeat the Course: Yes

Technical Theatre as a course will touch on three aspects of technical theatre: Sets, Sound, and Lighting. Students will design sets, creating scaled miniature models based upon the needs of a given play or musical. Students will learn about and interact with basic carpentry tools and practices. Students will understand and be able to operate sound equipment. Students will be able to basically control the lighting system, and do some design work as well. Students in the Radnor Tech Crew will also have the opportunity to build sets, hang lights, and design sound for all school events, including the Radnor Actors Workshop productions, school musical, school concerts, and other events, in the Auditorium and Black Box areas. Tech crew will aid organization and maintenance of the Auditorium, Black Box, Theatre Room, and Set Shop areas of the school. Tech crew may also run technical elements for school events, concerts, and assemblies. For extracurricular activities, such as Radnor Actors Workshop, Tech Crew will participate in an aspect of each show - Sound, Lighting, Set Construction, Painting, Costumes, Props, and/or Backstage Running Crew.

NOTE: Students should be able to lift up to 40 lbs. and must be able to follow strict safety expectations and procedures. Students must be willing to put in some time outside of school hours.

Theatre Acting

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Repeat the Course: Yes

This course welcomes all students in grades 9-12 who wish to experience more about being an actor. Students will engage in fundamental skills of theatre acting within the course, including movement, voice, character, memorization, and improvisation. Students who have stage fright are especially welcome to take this course and learn to slowly work through their anxiety in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. Utilizing theatrical exercises and games, students will discover and develop full awareness of the actor being an effective and intuitive communicator, while also building a realistic and engaging character.