Technical Theatre
This course will provide students with a solid foundation in all major aspects of theatre design. Instruction will focus on skills
pertaining to drafting for set and lighting design. Students will make use of strategies centered on technical language,
implementation, and technique. Through the course, the students will understand drafting for lighting and set design allowing
the students to grow in creativity, critical thought, and analysis. This course will also work towards understanding the use of
sound for theatre as well as the role of the stage manager. Students will be challenged to collaborate in groups and grow as a
team as well as branch out individually to explore their own strengths and areas of interest.
Film Appreciation: The Hero/ine’s Journey
This course will explore the Hero/Heroine's Journey in modern adventure movies, including Hollywood blockbusters ("Raiders of the Lost Ark") and international successes ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), examining how these films transform the archetypical structure into fresh, compelling entertainment for contemporary audiences. We will break down the classic building blocks of structure, pacing, action, characterization, villains and conflict, realism and fantasy, and “exotic” locales and discover how these elements are remixed to keep viewers immersed and on the edge of their seats.
Digital Music Composition
Students will learn how to create music on a computer from the ground up. The course will cover a basic treatment of
harmony and music theory, focusing additionally on manipulating and complementing harmonic compositional elements through sound design, use of plug-ins, mixing, and mastering, all of which will be taught through project work in professional music production software. Students will develop a portfolio of songs they have composed, and the exhibition in this course will be a presentation of this portfolio, answering the Essential Question: “How is music created on the computer?”
Art and Self Expression
In this class students will discover how to express themselves with the help of color, collage, and design elements. Principles of design, composition, color theory, and conceptualizing one’s ideas will be covered. Projects will vary based on self-expression approach as we explore topics like “Who am I?” “What is my relationship with myself?” “How do I relate to friends?” or “What kind of relationships do I have with my parents?” Students will be free to choose the topics that they feel most passionate about and also comfortable talking about in class with their classmates. We will use different mediums including paints, pencil, markers, and other collage elements. No artistic experience required for this class–everyone is creative and capable of expressing themselves. Essential Question: How does my art reflect who I am?
The Artist and Their World
In this class, students will do research about different artists or art movements, as well as explore the history surrounding the artist of their choice. Historically, artists have been impacted by the rise or fall of empires, religious movements, political turbulences, as well as being influenced by other artists and artistic movements, therefore, we cannot just look at an artist’s work without considering all these factors. Finally, after understanding the times the artist lived in, we can understand better how they influenced the world around them. We will learn together about artists and their art, students will develop concepts for their papers, and feedback will be given through the writing process. By the end of the class, students will have a finished research paper that they can be proud of. Essential Question: How do artists respond to and impact the world around them through their work?
Art and the Environment
This class will focus on our understanding of environmental issues and see how we, as artists, can influence an audience to be aware of the issues at stake. How do we create a thought-provoking piece of art? Students will do a bit of research on an issue of their choice, start working on sketches and concept development, and then complete the piece using different painting materials as well as masking tape or newspaper to create a three-dimensional feel to their art. There is no prerequisite for this class: I will help everyone develop their artistic voice and deliver the concept. Essential Question: What role can art play in considering environmental issues?
Instrumentals
Do you enjoy musical instruments? Have you ever wondered how they get their unique sounds? Using easily obtainable and recycled materials, students will build simple prototypes of idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, and chordophones. In the process, they will explore various designs, materials, craftsmanship, sounds, and aesthetics of each instrumental group. If possible, we will take a field trip to The House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, Maryland. For the final project, each student will design and build a creative instrument of his/her choice. In a science-fair style presentation, students will exhibit, explain, demonstrate, and answer questions about their instruments.
Fundamentals of Design
Students will discover all elements and principles of two-dimensional design and how to use these principles to create
compelling designs. Elements of line, shape, point, color, and positive/negative space will be introduced. Then students will learn how to combine these into the principles of design such as movement, unity, and balance. Projects will focus on each element and principle of design to slowly introduce students to the creative process of creating a piece of art. There will be several projects completed that you can be proud of. Anyone can do this! I will do my best to help everyone achieve their maximum creative potential and create intriguing and well-balanced designs. Essential Question: What makes a good visual design?
Songwriting & Lyrics
Have you ever tried to find words for music? Or music for words? In this class, students will work on poetic techniques that can be used to communicate meaning in different types of song forms.Those focusing more on songwriting will explore different ways to capture and craft their ideas in a blend of music and text. As students develop their pieces, coaching and feedback will be available, and they may also work individually or collaboratively in the music lab. Credit type depends on the focus of the student’s portfolio, some of which will be shared in the class exhibition.
Introduction to Sketching and Drawing
This course focuses on the development of observational skills and drawing techniques, employing a wide range of drawing media. Students in this course will develop both technical abilities and creative responses to material and subject matter. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected. Additionally, students will learn how to critique drawings and receive criticism and advice. Learning to articulate artistic concepts and processes using discipline-specific vocabulary.
Introduction to Designing in 3 Dimensions
In this course, students will explore interiors and architectural design through 2D using AutoCAD and 3D modeling using SketchUp. Students will explore the different styles of architecture and interior design through history and learn to recreate and adapt designs to create new, exciting, and thought-provoking environments. Creativity, critical thinking, and analysis skills will be exercised and refined through the design techniques learned. By the conclusion of this course, students will have a good understanding of architecture, color theory, and basic design concepts.
Illustration
Have you ever wanted to create your own illustrations for a book you were reading, or illustrate an article, but didn’t know where to begin? Then this is the right class for you! We’ll explore different aspects of illustration from editorial to book to music albums. We’ll talk about composition, perspective, points of view, lights, darks, and atmosphere. Students will have a few finished illustrations after the quarter. Students will use any art materials that they like. No experience necessary to be part of the fun!
Painting and Drawing
In this introductory level painting and drawing class, students will learn how to use paints and how to see what they are
painting or drawing. My goal is to teach you how to see and how to translate a three-dimensional space onto a
two-dimensional paper or canvas. Values, composition, perspective, color theory, and mixing will be a part of the learning process. Students will draw and paint still-life, flowers, interiors, and nature using different materials and surfaces. Everyone is creative and capable, so come paint and draw with me!
The Art of the Graphic Novel
Have you ever wanted to create your own graphic novel, but didn't know how? In this class, we’ll explore different aspects of graphic novel creation from storyboarding, to illustrating your book, to developing your characters. We’ll talk about composition, perspective, points of view, lights, darks, and atmosphere. Students will have a short book done after the completion of the quarter. Students will use markers or watercolors to create their illustrations. No experience necessary to be part of the fun!
Art Outside
In this fun class, we will paint or draw outside! Observation is the key to any art! We are surrounded by beautiful nature and architecture, and most importantly, we will learn from life. How does the sun reflect upon the ground? How do shadows fall in the morning versus the afternoon? How do the colors change depending on the weather and the time of the day? So, in this class, we will paint or draw what we see around us. Come join me, it will be tons of fun!
Film Appreciation: Movies of the 1980s
This course will dive into the movie era of the 1980s. Students will explore different genres of movies of the period. These
films will be placed into context and students will learn how to extrapolate and reflect on what themes, symbolism, and
characteristics were predominant in this era through the use of film theory. After gaining this perspective, students will be able
to discuss films on a deeper and more meaningful level.
Dancing in Strange Places
This course is designed to introduce the dancer or dance lover to the art of creating interesting, stimulating dances with which
the artist is satisfied. Specifically, we will be focusing on the challenge of incorporating various locations, sets, or props into
dances and how best to view those dances. Throughout the course you will get a chance to experiment with various
choreographic games and exercises, learn other students’ choreography, learn to critique and talk about dance using ideas from
Doris Humphrey among others, and create and perfect one or more substantial pieces for performance and/or video at the
end of the course. Students should come to the class prepared to move, and perform frequently in front of their peers and
random passersby. If we are learning by distance, students need to have access to some video editing software they know how to use and a person
and device that can record their dances and upload to their editing software.