Drama/Circus

The past month, the circus and drama classes have both been dedicated mostly to the winter play rehearsals, giving ample time for students to solidify their characters and movements. Once the cast is determined, the memorization of lines, and understanding of what the lines actually mean, is the first step in the play process. The script lends to emotional acting qualities, blocking interpretation and focus. Then the task of taking the words off of page, and bringing them alive begins. Basic drama concepts are visited and revisited: projection, toes to the audience (full front), back stage etiquette, stage and audience awareness, focus, lending focus (not stealing focus) etc. Then characters are developed and strengthened in rehearsals, along with setting entrances/exits, prop manipulation, and blocking.

We work within a fairly compact time frame, start to finish. This means the students are processing a load of information & feedback is just about a month. Many of the older students have been through the process a few times and have a good understanding of the dramatic concepts, while the younger ones have little to no exposure to the stage. This lends to the older students having larger, individual roles, while the younger students are usually in a group/choral setting, where they can support each other and not be overwhelmed in a new experience.