Drama
MBMS Drama is a full academic program which offers students a variety of ways to get involved in theatre. It all starts in our core Drama classes which focus on providing a foundation of technique, skills, and an understanding of the emotional and technical aspects of acting. Students will participate in physical activities, improv exercises, and creative playwrighting challenges. It does not matter if you take one year, two years, or all three years—all students are treated equally regardless of talent, skill, and experience. To get all the material a MBMS Drama course offers, students should participate in 6th, 7th and 8th grade but it is perfectly fine to join in 8th grade with no prior experience or knowledge.We offer a variety of drama classes to best suit student interests. Please see below for a brief description of each offering:
Intro to Theatre (Wheel)
Intro to Theatre is a one trimester introduction and survey of theatre history and basic drama principles. This class is good for kids who may not know if they're interested in acting or stage storytelling and will introduce them to theatre as a performing art. It should be noted that this class is not comparable to the year long Drama 6 class and serves only as an introduction to theatre. Students interested in performing in a stage production and learning how to create stage drama should sign up for the year long class.
Intro to Theatre is a one trimester introduction and survey of theatre history and basic drama principles. This class is good for kids who may not know if they're interested in acting or stage storytelling and will introduce them to theatre as a performing art. It should be noted that this class is not comparable to the year long Drama 6 class and serves only as an introduction to theatre. Students interested in performing in a stage production and learning how to create stage drama should sign up for the year long class.
Drama 6
Drama 6 is a year long elective offering for sixth graders interested in acting, directing, and creative playwriting. Students in this class will learn about the history of theatre and develop acting skills such as, but not limited to, movement, volume/projection, enunciation, emotional expression, reaction and interaction, as well as how to deliver an audition monologue and perform in a full production. This class will require two weeks of after school rehearsal during the year (dates TBD will be announced at the start of the year). Students will also create and perform a showcase of their work at the end of the year. Drama 6 is a fun-filled class in a safe environment where students will be encouraged to take creative risks and learn from them.
Drama 6 is a year long elective offering for sixth graders interested in acting, directing, and creative playwriting. Students in this class will learn about the history of theatre and develop acting skills such as, but not limited to, movement, volume/projection, enunciation, emotional expression, reaction and interaction, as well as how to deliver an audition monologue and perform in a full production. This class will require two weeks of after school rehearsal during the year (dates TBD will be announced at the start of the year). Students will also create and perform a showcase of their work at the end of the year. Drama 6 is a fun-filled class in a safe environment where students will be encouraged to take creative risks and learn from them.
Ghostlight Drama 7/8
Ghostlight Drama 7/8 is a production-focused Drama class. Students will be responsible for preparing a large cast play and an end-of-year student-written showcase of their talent. This class focuses on acting principles such as projection, diction, movement, etc. Students will be provided with a survey of Theatre history including major movements, acting teachers, and writers. Finally, students will get the chance to write their own scenes and monologues and learn how to direct one another. This class does require two weeks of after-school commitment throughout the year for rehearsals and is ideal for the student who likes working with a cast of their peers and wants to pursue a traditional Theatre education beyond middle school.
Vanguard Drama 7/8
Vanguard Drama 7/8 allows students to work on short plays for the purpose of intimate, cabaret style, audiences. Students will prepare seven- to ten-minute plays that they will perform during the school day for small audiences. The class introduces the idea that Theatre can happen anywhere with minimal costuming and/or sets. Students will learn Theatre principles such as projection, diction, movement, etc. and will also be introduced to Theatre history, writers, directors, etc. This class will also offer students the opportunity to learn short- and long-form improvisation skills and will also teach students how to write short plays of their own (vs. scenes). Vanguard is ideal for students who do not have a lot of time after school due to extracurricular activities such as dance or athletics. This class requires zero after-school commitment (all rehearsals and performances will be done during their Drama period) aside from one night for an end-of-year Showcase.
Vanguard Drama 7/8 allows students to work on short plays for the purpose of intimate, cabaret style, audiences. Students will prepare seven- to ten-minute plays that they will perform during the school day for small audiences. The class introduces the idea that Theatre can happen anywhere with minimal costuming and/or sets. Students will learn Theatre principles such as projection, diction, movement, etc. and will also be introduced to Theatre history, writers, directors, etc. This class will also offer students the opportunity to learn short- and long-form improvisation skills and will also teach students how to write short plays of their own (vs. scenes). Vanguard is ideal for students who do not have a lot of time after school due to extracurricular activities such as dance or athletics. This class requires zero after-school commitment (all rehearsals and performances will be done during their Drama period) aside from one night for an end-of-year Showcase.
(NOTE: The curriculum taught in both Drama 7/8 classes is the same. The only difference is how students learn their skills and techniques. Ghostlight teaches while students work on a large-cast play and requires some after-school rehearsal; Vanguard teaches while students work on short-form scripts.)
Festival
Students who participate in a core Drama class are eligible to join our festival competition team. This is an award-winning team of students who want to push themselves a little harder and want to compete against students from all over Southern California. Twice a year, we attend a day long theatre festival where students compete for and are evaluated by judges. The best part of these festivals, however, is meeting other students who are in love with theatre. Trophies are always nice but it's the connections festival kids make that matter!
To get a feel for what students think of MBMS Drama, please enjoy the promotional video below. For more information about MBMS Drama, please contact Mr. Levy at [email protected].