Drama
Theatre Arts at Central Catholic foster the skills and talents of students interested in working on stage and behind the scenes. Students may participate in a variety of classes offered during the school day. The Drama Department also puts on two major productions in the form of a fall play and spring musical. When selecting these plays, I know that our students here at Central Catholic can perform beyond the familiar. All students are welcome to audition for these productions. Other various events are created and performed by the Drama Department throughout the year.
 
Drama
Tom Graff 
As the drama teacher here at Central Catholic High School, I am amazed at the talented young students I am privileged to work with in the classroom and during our theatrical productions. Their enthusiasm and energy challenges me as a Director to explore new avenues for them to express their talent. Our classroom work is constantly surprising and I am gratified by how far students are willing to push themselves. In the fall we stage a dramatic production and in the spring we perform a musical or comedy. This year’s fall production, Radium Girls, was an unusual piece, a thought provoking expose that required deep thought from our performers. While working with our talented cast during rehearsals, I often thought of Margaret Mead's quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” These talented young Central Catholic actors challenge and change my world a little bit every day.
I encourage you to attend our spring production and let them change yours.
Our spring production will prove to be an absolute wild and wacky romp! We will be performing Scapin, a comedy, originally written by the French playwright Moliere in 1671, but adapted by modern day playwrights, Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell. A crafty servant, Scapin, schemes to unite two pairs of unlikely lovers. In this comedic farce, Scapin finds himself bumbling his way in and out of trouble. This will be a lively, colorful and hilarious production - perfect for the whole family. Please check back for ticket information.
Drama Course Overviews
Play Production
Students in this class will be introduced to and learn the fundamentals of lighting, sound, set construction and design, costuming and make-up, as well as all of the "front of house" duties: tickets, concessions, ushering, etc., needed when producing a play. Students are required to provide some weekend and evening work hours, as this class is directly responsible for the technical support of each play produced at school. This class is a mixture of theory and practicum and encourages active involvement in each production. It also provides activities designed to generate trust and flexbility, build confidence, and improve concentration.
Drama I
Students will be introduced to and learn the fundamentals of acting (movement, vocal projection, character development) through improvisation, theatre games, monologue and scene work, and the technical elements of production in the theatre. Class activities and group interaction are designed to generate trust and flexibility, build confidence, and improve concentration. Some memorization of monologues and short scenes will be required and students will be actively participating in front of the class. Students are required to see two plays each semester.
Drama II
This class builds upon the fundamental skills of acting learned in Drama I. Emphasis shifts from external to internal development of character. Character feelings, emotions, and objectives are examined, and are rooted primarily in the script text. More complex and longer monologues and scenes are read, analyzed, and staged. Technical theatre will also be introduced. Students will read, analyze, memorize, block, rehearse, and perform scenes from dramatic literature for class. This class writes and produces children's plays during the second semester. Scripts and performances will be analyzed before and after each production. Activities are designed to generate trust and flexibility, build confidence, and improve concentration. Students are required to see two plays each semester.
Drama III & IV
Students build upon skills acquired in Drama I and II and learn script writing basics. Emphasis is on analysis and advanced development of performance skills and the acting process. A textbook that looks at the history of theatre and dramatic forms will be used. Technical theatre will also be introduced. Students will read, analyze, memorize, block, rehearse, and perform more complex scenes from dramatic literature for class. Students will write, produce, and perform one act plays (or condensed full-length plays), both original and scripted. Scripts and performances will be analyzed before and after each production. Activities are designed to generate trust and flexibility, build confidence, and improve concentration. Students are required to see two plays each semester. |
