dance 7: dancing to the world's beat

This course celebrates the diversity of dance styles from around the world. Students are introduced to dances from a variety of different countries including Africa, Scotland, Germany, Serbia, and Romania, along with dances from North and South America. The customs, history and traditions of other cultures come alive through dance as an expression of the human spirit. The course builds on the foundation presented in Dance 6 and continues to focus on creativity and collaborative problem solving utilizing improvisation and beginning dance composition.

dance 8: choreography

This course concentrates on dance composition and the creation of original dances. Students take responsibility for all aspects of the choreographic process including selecting a theme, choosing music and dancers, choreographing movement, and determining costumes, sets, props, and lights. Students explore original ideas for choreography and then develop a plan for implementing their ideas into dance. The course culminates in a performance of original dance works choreographed and performed by the class.

core arts

​Core Arts immerses all ninth graders in a year-long study of the disciplines of dance, theatre, music, art, photo, film, and design. By looking at, listening to, analyzing and creating art in its multiple forms, students increase their understanding and appreciation of the role of the arts in diverse cultures. This interdisciplinary course helps students make links across the curriculum and learn to become literate consumers as well as producers of culture. Throughout the course, students are given opportunities to be risk-takers through individual and collaborative artistic production. Taught by teachers in all of the Arts disciplines, this ninth grade course is a lively combination of academic and studio approaches to learning and is required of all ninth graders.

Dance production workshop I

DPW I is designed for the motivated student interested in learning about the role of a producer. The course gives students hands-on experience and introduces them to the elements of technical theatre specific to dance production. Student producers are directly involved in the process of producing Arts with a Heart, a show using dance and multimedia to raise awareness about important issues facing today's world. Students choose to work in the areas that interest them, such as: choreography, lighting, costume design, sound/music/video recording and other forms of multimedia, basic elements of production management such as scheduling, marketing and fundraising. No previous dance experience is necessary.

dance production workshop ii

DPW II builds on the concepts and skills introduced in Dance Production Workshop I. The semester begins in January working in full production mode, culminating with the performances of Arts with a Heart. After the show closes, students will analyze their production and reflect on what improvements and/or changes they would like to make for the following year’s show. The emphasis of the course is on pre-production for the next show. Student producers will create an initial concept and theme, conduct research and finalize a production plan and schedule. Prerequisite: Dance Production Workshop I

advanced dance production workshop

In this year-long elective, students continue their exploration in the field of dance production. In Advanced DPW, rather than specializing in one area of production, they will become adept in all areas of production from technical theatre to ticket sales. They will learn how all of the pieces of a production fit together, and they will use their knowledge to create a successful show. Advanced DPW allows students to analyze and view performances with a critical eye. Students will reflect on performances and answer questions on what makes a show a success. Using critical thinking and problem solving, students will come up with recommendations and a plan for improvement. They will also explore current trends in theatre, dance and technology and develop a plan on how to practically implement those ideas on stage. Prerequisite: Dance Production Workshop I and II