Middle School Drama
The benefits of drama include increased confidence and self-esteem, imagination, focus, critical-thinking skills, problem-solving, communication skills, collaboration, empathy for others, and an appreciation for arts and culture. In addition, drama is fun!
In elementary school, NCA students have the opportunity to explore drama through classroom skits and presentations, music class productions, the fifth-grade ACTS leadership team, and various classes offered through the Northshore School of Arts and Enrichment. Once in middle school, Drama class is a year-long elective class in which students may choose to enroll.
6th grade Drama gives an introduction to stage directions, basic theater vocabulary, and theater etiquette. Students learn improvisation techniques, beginning character development, stage movement, and blocking (how our bodies affect our performances), and introduction to pantomime. There are various individual, pair, and large group performance projects throughout the year and students will learn audition techniques, such as how to prepare and perform a monologue.
7th/8th grade Drama deepens the understanding of all the areas explored in 6th grade Drama. Students continue to build improvisational skills, they experience vocal techniques and warm-ups and increase their theater vocabulary. They gain an understanding of advanced stage directions and they work on creating a character through movement, voice, and emotions. There is an opportunity for script analysis during monologue and scene projects. They also learn to understand persuasive communication techniques by writing and performing commercials in small groups. This class gives students the chance to explore character objectives, obstacles and choices, and to collaborate with others in multiple class experiences to deepen essential communication and problem-solving skills.
