Theater, Drama, and Dance
Crosswinds students have many opportunities to learn about theater and participate in drama activities including: Curricular Offerings
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 (IB years 1, 2 & 3) all have one full quarter of regular drama classes. These classes introduce students to learning in theater arts. The goal of the middle school program is to provide a broad spectrum of theater content, so each learner can find the aspects of theater arts that connect with their skills and interests.
Over the three years, the curriculum includes:- Improvisation
- Ensemble skills
- Blocking and staging
- Beginning acting
- Script reading and analysis
- Theater design, set and/or costume
- Theater history, including a unit on Hispanic American theater
- Storytelling
- Puppeteering
- Audience awareness and behavior
Students in grades 9 and 10 (IB years 4 & 5) have the opportunity to investigate theater arts in much greater depth. A variety of electives are offered, all of which align with the Minnesota Standards for Arts for Theater, and are assessed using the International Baccalaureate criteria for achievement in the arts. Courses include:- World Drama I & II (two non-sequential semesters)
- Playwriting
- Technical Theater and Design
- Choreographers and Choreography
Dance Education
Crosswinds is developing a dance curriculum as a major initiative of the Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP). During 2007 and 2008, this curriculum will be initiated with a high school course on Choreographers and Choreography. This course will incorporate studies biographical studies of prominent choreographers of the 20th century, and studio dance practice. A guest dancer/choreographer will work with the students during the semester to help develop performance pieces.
One long term goal of the developing dance education program at Crosswinds is an annual dance concert of student work in a variety of dance forms.
CAPP (Comprehensive Arts Planning Program)
In 2005, East Metro Integration District received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Perpich Center for Arts in Education. This grant is a five-year initiative to expand arts education within the district. During Year One of the CAPP process, the committee identified specific goals and laid out a five-year plan to achieve those goals. Two major thrusts of the CAPP initiatives address Media Arts and Dance. Another goal is to investigate ways in which Harambee can deepen its arts education offerings.
In 2006, we received a grant from the Perpich Center, called the ACE ~ Media Arts Grant. District staff who are interested in Media Arts are involved in professional development and curriculum planning around the many ways our schools can incorporate Media Arts in education. During the coming year, we hope to receive an ACE ~ Dance grant, which would provide for staff development and dance curriculum planning.
The monies granted through CAPP must be used to promote arts programming, and are intended as a way to help our district generate further funds for arts education. Look for special events and news about CAPP during the next four years as we continue to expand and develop our programs!
Extracurricular Theater Opportunities
Avant Garde: One of the unique and important theater offerings at Crosswinds is the Grades 9 and 10 improvisational theater troupe called Avant Garde. Director/teacher Brian Grandison works with advanced theater students during the school year to create issue-based theater pieces and then perform those pieces for elementary school students within EMID’s 10 member districts. Students involved in Avant Garde rehearse during the school day. During the current school year, this means that interested students are not eligible for choir, band, or orchestra.
All-School Plays: Two all-school plays are produced each year at Crosswinds — one musical and one comedy or drama. Students are selected through open auditions. The all-school plays are a major commitment, require hard work, and are a lot of fun. Rehearsals are held after-school, and students must be available for most rehearsals. Some rehearsals are held into the evening and on weekends. A commitment to a school play conflicts with team sports; it is not really possible to do both. Students must remain in good academic standing during the course of the rehearsal period. Watch for audition announcements at the beginning of fall quarter and the end of winter quarter. |
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