FOR GRADE 9–12 DRAMA & GRADE 10–12 THEATRE PRODUCTION
DAN WRIGHT
Dan Wright is bald by choice. He has been involved in the performing arts for over 30 years as both a professional performer and an educator. He views the performing arts not merely as an academic subject, but as a vital societal function and a viable career path for students interested in pursuing theatre and performance professionally.
OPTIONS FOR COURSE SELECTION
Theatre arts at Nepean high school is a full 4 year pathway offering a full experiential learning environment focused on Theatre and the arts as an essential component to society and our understanding of human nature. The theatre program here at Nepean provides a creative and expressive outlet for students while setting the bar for learning theatre, performance and the arts as a professional endeavor for the future.
Grade 9 Drama
(ADA1O)
An introduction to the world of theatre and theatrical presentation skills. It is intended to allow students a space to collaborate, create, and learn through experience. Grade 9 students in this course will learn about:
Physical and vocal expression through dramatic performance and script writing
Character creation and analysis
Leadership, through directing and designing original theatrical works
Group dynamics and team learning through small group collaboration
Theatre design with an emphasis on costumes, props, sets and lighting/sound design
The history and cultural significance of theatre
Grade 10 Drama
(ADA20)
A theatre pathway that builds on the skills learned in the grade 9 year. Grade 10 students in this course will further expand on their theatrical experience with an added emphasis on:
Movement and voice
Theatrical design
Children's Theatre
Theatre history and the performance style of the Italian masked comedic genre Commedia dell'arte
Theatre as a method of self expression
Character creation and script analysis through scene study
Improvisation
Grades 11/12 Drama
(ADA3M/4M)
Acourse that challenges senior studentsto explore leadership and advanced performance concepts with an academic approach to theatre as a cultural and societal tool. Grade 12 students will directtheir peers in independently researched and vetted One Act Plays. Grade 11/12 students will learn together about:
The art of the director
Practical theatrical stage design and tech,
Script writing,
Advanced acting and performance through practical application,
Independently studying early ground breaking theatre practitioners who changed the art form.
Theatre Production
(ADD20/3M/4M)
This course allows students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to explore every facet of theatrical production and performance. It is structured and run as a professional theatre company. Referred to as a "legacy course", senior students will mentor the juniors in the hands-on production of Nepean's annual play or musical. Students will choose an area of interest such as:
Set design and construction
Costume and makeup design
Prop design and construction
Front of house and business promotion with a focus on community outreach and fundraising
"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms—the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being."
