Speech and Theatre Co-Curricular Season Overview:
- Fall Play
- Large Group Speech
- Individual Events Speech
- Spring Play
Curricular Speech & Theatre Courses:
Theatre Arts I
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 9-12
Theatre Arts is a performance and theory-based class that introduces students to the fundamentals of theatre arts. In this course, students create, rehearse, and present theatre in front of their peers and the instructor. The course offers engaging, creative, and fun projects allowing students to tap into their creativity, gain self-confidence, and experience working collaboratively with others. Through instruction, training, and performance experiences, the student will develop knowledge and skills critical to the following career pathways: the performing arts, journalism and broadcasting, telecommunications, visual arts, and audio and film technology. As students gain a broader theatre arts
background, they develop other skills that have application to college and careers in and beyond theatre – communication, leadership and teamwork, presentation and performing skills, creative, imaginative problem solving, and critical thinking.
Theatre Arts II
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts I or Instructor Approval
Students enrolled in Theatre Arts II are seeking advanced study and further application of the competencies acquired in the Theatre Arts. Through advanced study, training, and performance experiences in the theatrical arts, the student will develop knowledge and skills critical to the following career pathways: the performing arts, journalism and broadcasting, telecommunications, visual arts, and audio and film technology. Theatre Arts II will continue to develop competencies in communication; leadership and teamwork; presentation and performance skills; creative, imaginative problem solving, and critical thinking.
Musical Theatre I
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 9-12
Musical Theatre explores American history and culture through the experience of American Musical Theatre genre. Instruction will focus on three areas of concentration: musical theatre in context, musical theatre processes, and presenting musical theatre. Students will first study its history and those contributing to its development: creators, producers, designers, directors, performers, and choreographers. Students pursuing future pathways in college or Fine Arts careers can elect to perform musical theatre work in class. Through study, active participation, and self-reflection, students can develop performance techniques in acting, movement, and voice. Instruction will focus on musical theatre history, literature, acting technique and theory, voice and movement technique, dramatic criticism, auditioning, elements of song and dance, and other advanced concepts related to musical theatre performance and production. The goal is to develop competencies in the performing arts and the discipline necessary to succeed in college and future career pathways in and beyond musical theatre.
Musical Theatre II
2 credits – 2 semesters – Open to grades 10-12
Students will meet on a daily basis and is by audition only. Students will have the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the art of performance through the combined studies of drama, vocal music, and dance that serve as a performance ensemble. Areas of advanced concentration will include musical theatre history, literature, acting, criticism, auditioning, skills training, elements of song and dance, and other advanced concepts related to performance and production.
Stagecraft
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 10-12
This course is a one semester production-focused course designed to give the beginning or experienced student of theatre arts a basic, practical understanding of theatre arts career pathways, design and production elements, and construction and/or use of production scenery, lighting equipment, sound equipment, projection technology, costume and makeup design, theatrical rigging systems, stage properties, and the proper and SAFE use of hand and power tools associated with these areas. This is a ‘hands-on’ course and all students are expected to engage in course activities. There will be research, reading assignments, alternate texts, and other instructional materials on which class discussions and authentic tasks will be based.
Speech
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 11-12
Oral communication is an essential 21st Century Skill and highly useful in all disciplines. Speech is an educationally relevant course that provides students with an opportunity to become ‘well spoken’ while mastering fundamental oral communication skills applicable to real-world speaking situations and future career pathways. A process approach is used to teach students how to build and present effective oral presentations. Instructional units will improve speaking and listening skills for use in one-on-one communication, group presentations, digital storytelling, postsecondary courses, the world of work, and other pathways. Speech is highly recommended for students enrolled in the Arts, Business, and Communication Academy or individuals interested in 21st Century careers found in the Arts, Audio-Visual Technology, and Communication Career Cluster. Speech also develops essential 21st Century Employability Skills in Leadership, Communication, Multitasking, Computer Literacy, Teamwork and Problem Solving, and Dedication.
IB Theatre Arts SL/HL
2 credits – 2 semesters – Open to grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts II, Instructor Approval
IB Theatre Arts is a two-year course that will focus on three core syllabus areas: theatre in context, theatre processes, and presenting theatre. In the first year, students will engage in instructional activities that hone skills relevant to theatre arts. In the second year, students complete three to four major assessments: a research presentation, a director’s notebook, a collaborative project, and a solo theatre project (HL only). By creating, designing, directing, and performing theatre based on theatre contexts and theatre processes, students will experience the international and intercultural dynamic that inspires and sustains the world of theatre arts.
Fundamentals of Oral Communication (HCC)
1 credit – 1 semester – Open to grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Approval process and must meet Compass score requirement
This Hawkeye Community College course presents elements of the oral communication process with emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunities for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.
All courses for the West High Fine Arts Department can be found at the West High Student Services website: http://www.waterlooschools.org/educationalservices/files/2019/11/Prog-of-Studies-20-21.pdf