Performing Arts
Grades 9-10: Acting Styles
Students will explore the dynamics of theatrical training, including theatre vocabulary, play analysis, character work, acting techniques, and technical theatre basics. They will study the styles of classical and contemporary masters and write their own material. Genres will be studied to examine how particular styles were developed and to determine what impact a particular style has on the message being expressed. Students will produce their own work in genres of their choice and perform for the school and larger community.
Grades 11-12: Advanced Theatre
This course will allow students to pursue specific areas of excellence in acting, directing, playwriting, or technical theatre. Working as an ensemble, students will write, direct, produce and perform in their own production. This endeavor will involve analyzing a script, developing characters, designing costumes, creating a set, rehearsing the material, and, finally, performing for the school and larger community.
Grades 9-10: Music
In music, students receive individualized and small group instruction on keyboards, guitar, voice and drums. Students learn to read music manuscript and guitar tablature. In addition to this instruction, students work on software for keyboards, allowing them to experiment with writing and recording music. Music students perform at WinterFest, an arts showcase at the end of the first semester.
Choir
Choir will provide instruction in sight reading, individual and ensemble vocal preparation and performance, vocal technique and music theory. The composition of the choir will be determined by the interests and composition of the student body. Students will work on a traditional, classical program during the first semester and will participate in district and statewide choral programs including Honor Choir and All-State auditions. During spring semester, students will focus on contemporary, popular music, with each student having the opportunity to perform using the music skills he or she has developed. This course satisfies the New Mexico Arts Standards and Benchmarks for secondary vocal and general music.
New Mexico Arts
This course exposes students to the fundamentals of the traditional Northern New Mexican art form of retablo and box making. Traditional design techniques are employed including the fine art of gesso coverings and traditional paints and designs that reflect individual students design within a centuries old New Mexican art form. Students create retablos and boxes of their own as a result of this class.
Dance
Dance may be offered as an elective in Fall 2003.