Grade 12 Drama (ADA4M1)
Unit One - The Arrival
This unit uses the theme of immigration and refugees to teach about theatre for change. Using the umbrella of Theatre of the Oppressed, we will touch on image theatre, newspaper theatre, forum theatre, invisible theatre and, if time allows, docudrama.
Unit Two - Styles of Theatre
We will study different styles of theatre such as Naturalism, Realism, Absurdism, Commedia Del'Arte, Kabuki, Children's Theatre, Mime, and, if we have time, Musical Theatre.
Unit Three - Acting Styles and Theatre Teachers
With this unit, we will explore theatre teachers such as Stanislawski and his system, Meisner and The Method, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, Rudolph Laban's movement theories, and we will culminate with a scene study from famous Canadian or Twentieth Century playwrights.
Unit Four - Playwriting
Using a method that I have found to be not only effective for devising theatre but also helpful in reviewing and gaining further experience with improvisations, students will dive into the RSVP method. The RSVP method was first coined by Lawrence Halprin (and architect) and his wife Anna (a ballerina). Using a cycle, much like that of the creative process, the Halprins found that creating any work of art required revisiting and reviewing work, reflecting on it and being willing to change it as necessary.
