Class Time
Oakhill Drama is for students in Grades 4 - 8. Students attend class three times every two weeks.
Younger students are also exposed to performing on the stage, but through their primary teachers, with support from the Drama teacher.
Younger students are also exposed to performing on the stage, but through their primary teachers, with support from the Drama teacher.
Schedule
Drama is the only "special" that is not on a consistent weekly schedule. Please see the schedule below. Classes are from 8:00 - 8:45 am.
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
No Class |
Grades 4-8, 2:30 - 3:15 |
Grades 4-8, 2:30 - 3:15 |
Grades 4-5, 2:30 - 3:15 |
Grades 6-8, 2:30 - 3:15 |
TRIMESTER 1 |
Value |
Value |
Value |
Value |
No Class |
No Class |
No Class |
August 16: Grades 4-5 |
August 17: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
August 21: Grades 4-5 |
August 22: Grades 6-8 |
August 23: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
No Class |
August 28: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
August 30: Grades 4-5 |
August 31: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
September 4: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
September 6: Grades 4-5 |
September 7: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
September 11: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
September 13: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
No Class |
September 18: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
September 20: Grades 4-5 |
September 21: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
September 25: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
September 27: Grades 4-5 |
September 28: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 2: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
October 4: Grades 4-5 |
October 5: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 9: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 11: Grades 4-5 |
October 12: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 16: Grades 4-5 |
October 17: Grades 6-8 |
October 18: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
No Class |
October 23: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 25: Grades 4-5 |
October 26: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
October 30: Grades 4-5 |
No Class |
November 1: Grades 4-5 |
November 2: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
November 6: Grades 6-8 |
No Class |
November 8: Grades 4-5 |
November 9: Grades 6-8 |
Approach
Mr. Herlong’s approach to acting primarily follows the Meisner Technique where an action solicits a reaction. This technique requires an actor to be present and aware in the moment, and focused on their fellow actors. This is then combined with characterization, tasks to be completed within the scene, and interaction that resembles real life. Mr. Herlong will work with your students to help them gain control over their bodies, breath, voice, concentration, and emotional expression. The end goal is to transform your students into more confident, expressive, and audible communicators, performers, and public speakers.
Curriculum
BODY CONTROLStudents will develop control over their body, face, tongue, lips, and breathe. Students will also work on refining each of the five senses.
|
CONCENTRATIONConcentration is vital and will become their foundation. Students will develop their ability to complete tasks and be private in public.
|
CHOICES & CONSEQUENCESA simple lesson about commitment, following through, and the consequences that result from our choices.
|
IMAGINATIONStudents will develop their brains and imaginations as we work with imagined objects, environments, and scenarios.
|
OBSERVATIONStudents will learn how to observe others in order to recall and reenact their speech, movement, and specific mannerisms.
|
CHARACTERIZATIONStudents will work with developing both normalized and stylized characters, along with the relationships between them.
|
UNDERSTANDING WORDSStudents will learn how to better understand their words and to speak with a more meaningful and emotional connection.
|
ACTIONS & REACTIONSThrough both improvisational and repetitive exercises, students will discover that actions can result in many different reactions.
|
EMOTIONAL MEMORYStudents will be introduced to emotional memory and recall, and how certain things and events can elicit an emotional response.
|
POETRY & STORYTELLINGA large focus will be placed on learning how to speak in front of others, which will include storytelling and our annual Poetry Slam.
|
HISTORICAL STYLESIf time allows, we will explore styles including Shakespeare, Greek Tragedy, Melodrama, European Clown, and Commedia dell'arte.
|
PLAY PRODUCTIONMost of the third trimester will be focused on our Spring Production where we produce a full-length play.
|
Journals
Students will be required to keep weekly journals. These journals should include the following, as instructed in class:
- Important notes and ideas presented in class
- Copies of text to be memorized for use in class
- Recorded observations of others made outside of class (walking, talking, personal idiosyncrasies, etc.)
- Events, memories, music, sound, tastes... anything that may elicit a strong emotional memory or response
- Occasional written recollection of daily routines and activities
- Occasional written recollection of an event or personal interaction
- Future assignments (we do meet only three times over two weeks)
Assessment
Students will be assessed on the following:
- Their ability to listen and take instruction (The one thing actors do most in the theater is not "acting", but rather listening.)
- Their effort in improving their ability. (Students will be assessed on their work, not their talent.)
- Completed journals, as assigned
- Completion of regularly scheduled class performances and exercises.
- Participation in the Spring Production (This production is mandatory for all students. However, stagehands and background roles are applicable for students who so choose.)
Winter & Spring Productions
The Winter Concert is scheduled for November 14, 2018. This performance is for Grades TK-3 only. However, some older students may elect to assist with this production for extra credit.
The Spring Production is scheduled for May 31, 2019. This performance is for Grades 4-8 and is mandatory for all students. The final play is still under consideration and will be based on student enrollment and level of ability.
The Spring Production is scheduled for May 31, 2019. This performance is for Grades 4-8 and is mandatory for all students. The final play is still under consideration and will be based on student enrollment and level of ability.