In this course, students use the body, voice, mind and imagination to create original characters and scenes in a collaborative and supportive environment. They learn how to properly warm up the body and focus the mind for acting. Emphasis is placed on playing drama games that encourage spontaneity, concentration, creativity, risk-taking, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening, ensemble acting and storytelling. Students learn basic theatre terminology and acting skills through the study of pantomime and original scene building.

 

In this course, students explore how to use the body and voice expressively through scripted work. Students participate in warm-up activities and drama games that encourage relaxation, physical control, and concentration. Emphasis is placed on building a trusting environment where students can collaborate and take risks in their acting. Students learn about character objective and motivation and they search for the clues in a script that help them make choices for their characters. Students also practice rehearsal skills and perform short scenes and a monologue for the class.

 

Filmmaking is a highly collaborative class in which students watch, discuss, review, and create films. Students are introduced to filmmaking terms and techniques using an online visual glossary and interactive learning tool. Each day students learn new filmmaking techniques and experiment with these techniques through a series of quick small projects which highlight different aspects of filmmaking: image, sound, story, character, setting, structure, mood, theme, and point-of-view. Students work together in small groups as a production team on the final project: a silent short film. Through this process they write an original story, create story boards, direct, perform on camera, and edit their project using an online film editing program.  

 

 

Students learn coding by using the Game Maker Studio program to create games. They use "drag and drop" features to start, which allows students to create games with minimal programming experience. Next, students have an introduction to GML (Game Maker Language) to create games by writing out code. Students work individually and in groups to design and create an independent project.

 

 

Drawing Class 

In this drawing class, students explore the use of various drawing materials from charcoal to pencil to pastel and ball point pen. Each material has its strengths. They explore texture, tone, pattern and color. They learn to manipulate space creating a deep landscape space or a flat abstracted space. They learn to express emotions and express their own feelings. They learn the power of composition and what changes in scale can do to the impact of an image. They learn to be very comfortable with drawing. 

 

Painting Class 

This painting class places a strong emphasis on color, mixing colors from a limited palette, understanding how to use complementary colors to create shadows and creating color combinations that enhance each other. Understanding of composition and structure are also emphasized. The class paints landscapes, still lives, portraits, and abstract pieces. 

 

Sculpture Class 

This sculpture class is materials-based. Students are introduced to the basic tenants of sculpture, structure, composition, movement, color, pattern, and design. Each project involves working with a different material and discovering its qualities and what type of sculpture it can become. Some of the materials that the students work with are wood, wire, tin, found objects, things found in nature and soap stone. 

 

Printmaking Class 

This course is designed to teach fundamental relief printmaking techniques. Students will produce prints using a variety of materials, and they will learn to prepare blocks, use carving tools, and print by hand and on the press using water-based inks. Also covered will be methods for creating reduction prints, and alternative techniques, such as collage and hand-colored prints. Students will learn to number and sign editions of prints and develop vocabulary of printmaking terms and techniques. The conscious use of elements and principles of art is encouraged in designing prints. Drawing and color mixing techniques are an integral part of the course. 

 

Digital Art/Photography and Yearbook Design Class 

In this course, students learn computer illustration techniques, image manipulation, digital camera use, and basic photography skills, and how to apply the principles and elements of art in a digital composition. Through the creation of posters, logos, digital paintings, and graphic designs, students become familiar with the tools, layers, and filters in Adobe Photoshop and ArtRage. Students use their graphic and artistic skills to design and produce the yearbook using an online publishing program.

 

3D Art and Textile Design 

In this class, students create using materials such as canvas, yarn, wire, clay, wood, found objects, cardboard, and paper to produce 3-D mixed-media works of art. Students explore the representational and abstract qualities of form to produce free-standing or high-relief works of art. Students also have the freedom to choose from various materials to produce mixed-media weaving projects and fabric painting. Drawing and color mixing techniques are an integral part of the course.