Arts dramatiques (Théâtre)

At CJS we strongly believe that an arts education provides balance in the overall school curriculum by developing many "other" ways of knowing, and by enhancing understanding of our cultures and ourselves.

Arts dramatiques (Théâtre) 10S

This course is an introduction to theatre: the vocabulary of theatre, the origins of theatre conventions, and an introduction to acting. Students will learn the basic principles of this art form and will practice their theatre skills by presenting short dialogues and monologues. Improvisational skills will also be developed.

There will be many opportunities to present their work. Students may perform in a play presented in front of their peers or in front of an elementary class. They can also perform in the Festival Théâtre Jeunesse in early May.

Arts dramatiques (Théâtre) 20S

Students will continue to work on their acting skills, more specifically on voice, movement, and scene study. The students will develop strategies for building characters. They will continue to work on their theatrical improvisational skills. This course will also allow the students to develop their French language skills through the creative writing of individual or group scripts for theatre. They will examine the structural elements of a script, how to choose a subject, characters, and conflict. Music will also be studied and used to develop an emotional connection to a character. Through the study of different forms of dialogues and monologues, students will begin by writing short scenes. Their final project will be an original thirty- minute script as part of a class collective.

Class outings to the Cercle Molière, Canada’s oldest French professional theatre company will give students a close-up opportunity of seeing the work needed to be accomplished to produce a full-fledged show.

Students will continuously perform in a variety of plays in front of young audiences. This could possibly be followed by a performance at the Festival Théâtre Jeunesse in early May. 

Arts dramatiques (Théâtre) 30S

Students will continue to work on voice, movement, and scene study. Students will learn to appreciate the drama between the lines, dramatic pause and the importance of subtext for character development. This course will also allow the students to develop their French language skills through the creative writing of individual or group scripts for theatre. Students will further their study of the structural elements of a script and the creation of more complex characters with a particular emphasis on internal rather than external conflict.

Through the continued study of different forms of dialogue and monologue, students will practice writing scenes and plays. The students will be required to author a thirty-minute play either alone or collectively. Students may perform in a play in the Festival Théâtre Jeunesse in early May, or students may go on tour of divisional feeder schools performing for young audiences. Local French-speaking playwrights are invited as guest speakers to enrich the students’ creative writing experience.

Arts dramatiques (Théâtre) 40S

This course offers an in-depth study of the stage actor and the psychological nuances of a character. Students will learn to critique in- class presentations according to traditional theatre criteria.

Students will take on leadership roles in the many different areas of theatre production. Direction and design for a final production will be the responsibility of the students. The teacher will act as a facilitator and advisor for the production. The students in this course will be required to author a thirty-minute play as part of a class collective.