At ACMS, we believe that God is the ultimate Creator. As humans, we are created in God’s image. This makes us creators as well. It is in us to create. Drama provides the opportunity for this creation, for the molding of something out of nothing. Theatre is a way to express humanity, a way to present a little piece of life on stage. Students are given the chance to recreate their reality and express their creativity, thoughts, emotions, and insecurities. The opportunity to share one’s individual experience of living is very significant for any person, even more intensely so for (pre-) teenagers.
As Christian Dramatists, we are called upon to present God’s Truth, Love, Fall and Redemption through our Art. Theatre is a powerful medium. As Christians, the theatre we create must glorify the name of Christ. ACMS Drama programs aim to do this.
Drama in Grade Six and Seven is a part of the Fine Arts curriculum. We study, use, tweak and play with the ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally. Not only do students enjoy playing Drama games which strengthen their thinking and reactions, but they also start thinking about how Drama can be used to give a message. In Grade Six, students focus on developing creativity, learning to play a role, speak clearly, and listen to scene partners. The big units in Grade Six Drama are Improvisation, and Fairy Tales, in which we create a new version of an old fairy tale, compose a script, find costumes and props, and perform for the class.
In Grade Seven, it gets a little more intense! We start to work on how we can use and interpret body language. Additionally, we use our imaginations to understand where others are coming from and also try to clearly share our dreams and ideas. Students gain more experience using their voices and movements to share stories during the units of visualization, sketch study, improvisation, and reader’s theatre. Drama 6 and 7 build key communication skills, and are also a ton of fun!
Grade Eight Drama is on a semester system. Students split their year between Drama and Visual Art. In Drama Eight, students are invited to explore themselves, their beliefs, and their world through character, theme, and plot. Students are nudged to stretch their imaginations and comfort zones. The avenues for this are held within two main units; Improvisation and Scene Study. First, we study improvisation, both serious and comedic. Improv. cultivates the abilities to think quickly, to communicate with others, to create character, and to build a scene that contains a strong beginning, middle, and end.
Secondly, our aim in Grade Eight Drama is that students will fully become a character, entering into the world of the play. Students express the various aspects of their character by using their bodies and facial expressions, as well as accessing their own emotions. Grade Eight thespians begin to understand what it is to suspend disbelief and fall into a story. Finally, within these two units are smaller exercises, both written and verbal assignments, and games that develop specific skills along the way.
At ACMS Theatre, we recognize that the Lord has given, as a gift to humankind, the ability and desire to create. This gift is freeing and beautiful in nature.