Performing Arts
Performing Arts
The goal of Performing Arts is to provide a safe and encouraging space for the students to explore their creativity, and to build on new and existing skills. At an elementary level, the student’s willingness to participate, try new things, and progress over time is regarded above their performance ability as they learn the foundations of the craft. An environment of respecting and considering one another and of learning self-discipline is instilled. We put focus on encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones, push past fears and doubts, stretch their limitations, work on being focused and present, have a sense of self and expression, and build their resilience and confidence.
DRAMA
In drama class, students are given several activities geared toward fun, opening them up and honing different skills. Occasionally, they are exercised independently but at a younger level, many of these activities are done with partners, in small groups, or as a whole class. This allows students to feed off of each others’ energies and challenges their ability to work collaboratively with others–which is a difficult and extremely important skill to develop.
DANCE
In dance, students are taught choreography. It offers the dual challenges of memorization as well as understanding one’s body. Further, students are tasked to choreograph on themselves and others and then appraised on how well they can translate ideas and feelings into movement whilst incorporating and collaborating with other art forms such as music.
Once students have a foundational understanding of each craft, they learn professional practices and have opportunities to perform and showcase what they have been working on. They can be involved in production/behind-the-scenes work, stage design, scripting, choreographing, directing, filming, or staging their own work. The class structure is fluid in order to adapt to and work with the student’s capabilities, what they enjoy and connect with, and which areas we need to foster growth in.
By engaging in serious study of the performing arts, we want our students to emerge from each year with more confidence. They learn to question ideas, to find and apply solutions, to increase empathy and connection, and to express themselves and communicate clearly. Most of all, we hope to see them “dive in and dig deep” and learn to see the world with an ever-growing perspective.
