Grade 9 focuses on building community through games and exercises, exploring various dramatic techniques and learning basic performance skills.
Orientation:
Through games and exercises students learn the importance of acceptance, listening, cooperation, respect, negotiation, decision making, taking risks, conflict resolution and working together as a team. Team skills area an important part of the dramatic arts classroom and are built on throughout the year.
Role Play:
1. Students are given the opportunity to explore
various themes and issues as other people.
2. They take on the roles of various
community members of an ancient village to discuss an issue of importance to
everyone.
3. As members of a school, they discuss and attempt conflict
resolution after a serious incident.
Working in the Arts:
In groups, students research an area of theatre production and present it to the class in an interesting and creative way. Specialized vocabulary is discussed.
Storytelling:
Students learn how to tell stories through various exercises and games and then how to apply these techniques to their own stories.
Trust
Trust is essential in drama. Students learn how to trust each other as well as become trustworthy in preparation for a sensory journey exercise in which they create a journey for a blind folded person to experience.
Improvisation
Students are introduced to improve through simple exercises and games finishing with theatre sports.
Bullying
The issue of bullying is examined through the eyes of a fictional character. Students examine the victim’s life and become detectives looking for clues to his disappearance.
Shakespeare
Students are introduced to William Shakespeare and his language in preparation for a performance of scene form Romeo and Juliet. Students are grouped and given a chunk from a children’s version of the story, they then decide what dramatic techniques to use to present this scene.
Commedia dell ’arte:
The characters and conventions of commedia are taught.
Using the paper as a drama source:
After the slapstick nature of commedia, students explore more serious themes found in the newspaper. They think about prospective and creative story telling.
Exam: Anthology
Students create a performance piece based on Canadian theme of their choice.
Dramatic Techniques:
Students gain experience in the following dramatic techniques:
-tableau
-monologues
-ensemble
-stage combat
-communication skills
-comedy and drama
-focus in and out of the role
-listening and reacting
-role play
-storytelling
-improve and lib
-rehearsal and performance aspects i.e. tech and dress rehearsals
Opportunities to see plays:
Students must write two reviews on plays that they have seen. There are various opportunities for students to see shows during the school year. There is a matinee of the Sears Festival and the school play open to drama students as well as field trips to see shows in Toronto and Stratford.
Opportunities to perform:
The drama department has a drama night in the fall and the spring showcasing work done by the students. Students are asked by their teachers to perform or they may volunteer. The event is free with donations accepted. It’s great opportunity for students to perform before an audience and for their family and friends to see what they are capable of.