Fine Arts

Febraury 14, 2015- Update

8th Grade Major-Drama

The Drama Major class has been looking at different improvisation. What does the actor do to keep the audience engaged and the scene flowing? Students have explored how to improvise scenes verbally and use physical elements to create meaning. As a part of this unit, following on from ensemble building, we have touched on physical theatre techniques used the London-based company "Frantic Assembly".  For glimpse into this group's work, please follow the links. 

http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/showreel/

The 6th Grade Drama Exploratory

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The 6th grade Drama Exploratory performed "The Story of Chronos" on Monday 19th January as a part of our new "Lunchbox Theatre". This performance was the culmination of the Greek Theatre, Physical Theatre and Story Telling units. Students applied their knowledge of story telling skills, chorus and elements of Greek mythology to devise this performance. 

Here are some comments from our audience:

"My favorite part was when Chronos transformed into a unicorn"- Nathalie

"I liked that Chronos became a vegetarian- that was funny!" Mr Scanga

"I was glad to make the props at home using my new tools." Dries

November 3, 2014

In Concert! MS Bands! Grades 6-8

6:30, Thursday, November 6. On the stage in the AISB Theatre

This intimate concert will be "in the round" with the performers in the center and the audience on risers around them. Pieces will include Batman, The Pink Panther, Terminal Velocity (with guest percussionist Mr. Charlie Robinson), small ensembles and more!

October 12, 2014

8th GRADE DRAMA

The 8th grade Drama class has been exploring Mask. We have studied techniques used by the Trestle Theatre Company (based in England) and are applying our knowledge to performance pieces. Each group selected a piece of music as stimulus or 'inspiration' for their piece. They devised a story based on the music and used costume, lighting and set to enhance the message. We were fortunate enough to perform to the MS during assembly. One of the three groups even participated in a collaborative performance with the Band class playing our music, the "Pink Panther" theme song.

Some questions we explored in this unit are:
- How does communication between the actor and audience change when we are no longer able to speak?

- What does the actor's physicality bring to the character they are playing in mask?

- How can we use technical elements of theatre (light, sound, costume) to enhance our communication with the audience?