Drama

In drama, students learn that growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous. To grow as an artist is to explore the human condition, learn empathy, let go of judgment, and understand our fragility. In their first year, drama students focus on technique through Voice and Speech, Movement, Adler Technique, and Scene Study classes.

The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to work on his voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind.

Stella Adler
Actress

I. VOICE AND SPEECH

Voice and Speech is learning the proper way to breathe, speak, and articulate. Language can not be communicated if it is not heard or understood. Learning proper projection and articulation is one major component that will set you apart as a trained actor.

What you will learn:

  • Proper breathing techniques
  • Speaking on Your Voice
    How to project in a healthy, supported way
  • The Vowel Progression
    How to properly articulate, shape vowels, develop vocal range

II. MOVEMENT

Movement class is honing our attention on the body and understanding how it moves. Your body is the primary instrument you will use to communicate story. You must first be comfortable in your own skin in order to then transform into another person. Students must bring to class comfortable black clothes that they can move in.

What you will learn:

  • How to be grounded
  • How to find neutral
  • How to communicate through the body

III. ADLER TECHNIQUE

Adler Technique was created in the 1920’s by the iconic Stella Adler. Like it’s sister methods, Meisner and Strausbaugh; it derives from the Stanislavski Method, which is simply acting that mimics real life.

Adler Technique is the most intellectual of all the methods, focusing on using the imagination to create the world around you. If an actor believes strongly in this world, the audience will also believe thus being transformed. Adler technique is the only method that focuses on playing actions, a logical approach to planning the emotional journey of a character. Stella Adler once said, “Your talent is in your choice.” The actions you choose to play will determine how skilled of an actor you become.

What you will learn:

  • How to use the imagination to enter a scene
  • What are actions? How do you choose strong ones?
  • What are Scene and Super Objectives?

IV. SCENE STUDY

Scene Study is where students are assigned a scene partner and a dramatic work to perform for the class. This is where students are given a chance to practice all that they have learned in Adler Technique, Voice and Speech, and Movement.

What you will learn:

  • How to break down a scene into beats
  • How to assign actions to each beat
  • How to be present in the moment with your scene partner

Theatre

In Theatre, students continue developing their technique through Voice and Speech, Movement and Adler Technique. Replacing Scene Study, students begin honing their craft by working on a play or dramatic work. Students perform two shows a year as part of Heritage Stage applying all they have learned in class about objectives, actions, and their character’s overall wants, needs, and motivations into the semblance of a full-length stage production.