Performing Arts

The Lower School Drama program is strategically designed to promote the lifelong, fundamental skills of self-expression, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in each student. The curriculum for each grade level is grounded in the principles of the National Core Arts Standards, which are adjusted to reflect age and skill appropriate goals. Each grade level will explore physical and vocal storytelling, technical theatre, international theatre history, and the devised theatre process using developmentally scaffolded materials. These experiences prepare students to present original talent nights throughout the year with various different themes. Fourth graders will additionally perform in a fully produced musical at the end of the year, representing the culmination of their drama education at Stuart thus far. Throughout the scope of the lower school drama experience, students will celebrate both process and product, and develop the skills of teamwork, empathy, and leadership. 

Stuart offers a variety of dance classes through our Extended Day Programs including after school classes and during Stuart's Vacation Camp. We offer Preschool, JK, and Kindergarten Creative Movement/Dance class as well as a Ballet and Jazz Combination Class for Grades 1-4. Tap Dancing workshops are offered during the Vacation Camps.

Music 5

This music course will be based on timbre and composition through the construction of an original instrument. We will first explore instrumental timbre through the study of wind, string, brass, and percussion instruments. Then the students will construct an instrument using Makey Makeys, a technology tool used for coding. The students will be asked to create an instrument out of conductive materials and the Makey Makey. Students will be asked also to consider aesthetic value when creating their instrument. The physical ‘instruments’ made by the students will vary greatly. Some may choose a more artistic line of thought with lead pencil, while others will create objects out of foil, tape, and other materials. Their instrument will be used in composition of a piece of music. The culminating project will be to play a short original composition on their Makey Makey instrument. If time allows, the students will compose and play an ensemble composition with other classmates and their instruments. Through these hands-on, STEM-integrated projects, students learn music theory and composition skills, sound quality and construction, and the value of teamwork.  

Music 6

This course is designed to build interest in composition by using critical listening skills, conducting and finally using GarageBand to compose their own pieces. The students will first review the basics of melody and rhythm with a focus on ostinatos/loops. Students continue their rhythm studies by learning conducting patterns and expressive conducting techniques. Using various multimedia resources as a guide, students learn about composing techniques and experiment with GarageBand to put together pre-made loops. Finally, the sixth graders utilize their knowledge by spending the rest of the trimester composing pieces individually and in groups with the GarageBand app. This course should help students understand and implement Classical composing techniques that are applicable to current musical styles. 

Music 7

This course reinforces music theory, music history and performance skills by focusing on basic guitar skills as the center of our music study. Students begin by learning the basics of tuning, resonance and pitch as related to the guitar. Students develop the skill of chord playing as they learn basic guitar chords. Appreciation and understanding of music history grows as students simultaneously learn to sing international and popular songs with the accompanying guitar chords. Students work on their own and in pairs to carefully play each chord and rhythm accurately while simultaneously singing the melody. The final project is to successfully play and sing a song of their choosing that is appropriate to their level and abilities.

Upper School theater courses are in Acting, Directing, Musical Theater, Pop Culture, Comedy  and Stagecraft. All Theater Classes include script analysis, character development, theater vocabulary,design and analysis. Acting and Directing classes include  performance and critique. Theater History and techniques from Adler, Stanislavsky, Guthrie, are also discussed. A class in Communication through Public Speaking is offered each trimester within the Leadership program.

Trimester Courses

STAGECRAFT AND DESIGN 1

Open to grades 9-12. 

This class explores stage design; students will analyze and critique several specific plays. The class explores the design elements in set design, lighting and costume design. Area design professionals will be guest instructors. The class will create will design a production and  a present a “ Shark Tank” scenario  to theater professionals. The class will create stage/set designs and costumes designs. We will see an area play as well. This class creates theatre technical support for the eighth grade musical. 

STAGECRAFT AND DESIGN 2

Open to grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Stagecraft and Design I.

This class will take on leadership roles for the 8th grade musical production. This course will fulfill a Leadership Endorsement class.  

ACTING AND DIRECTING

Open to grades 9-12. No prerequisite.

This class explores the skills required for authentic acting on stage and for film. The class will research and explore various director’s artistic vision and through-line. Each student will direct a short scene using the skills necessary for motivated stage movement and directorial choices.  Students will critique area performances and create several short pieces for Lower School and Middle School. 

POP CULTURE: THE ARTS

Open to Grade 9-12.  No prerequisite

This class will explore the collaboration of music, video and theatre through the lens of pop culture from 1960-present day. From Bandstand to MTV to Tik-Tok, the advance of technology continues to inform and change the arts as entertainment. Students will understand the impetus and create their own pop culture forms.

THE ART OF COMEDY

Open to grades 9-12. No prerequisite.

This class explores the genre of comedy in film, theatre and television. Skits, monologues, short scenes will be explored. Students will create, perform and direct comedies specific to each medium. The class will create their own Comedy program entitled SDL. (Stuart Day Live) as a podcast.

INDEPENDENT DRAMATIC STUDIES 

Open to grade 12. Prerequisite: two or more theater classes.

This course is designed to give a student an opportunity to build a theatrical portfolio in design, acting, and directing.  The student will develop an advanced understanding of dramatic literature or production techniques. The course will culminate in a student-driven production, handbook, and portfolio. Assessment will be a self-critique, analysis of work, and construction of a student portfolio.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Open to Grades 9-12. No prerequisite. 

This class explores the History of American Musical theatre. The class will design an original musical based on a book. This will include costume, set design, directorial vision, lighting, and sound. The model will be 3D digital and a ground plan model. Students will draw and sketch with google CAD programs and create a financial understanding of production costs. They will “ Shark Tank” this to local professional producers and directors for critique.  This class also supports the 8th Grade musical as stage crew. The class will take a field trip to see a musical. 

ACTING FOR THEATRE AND FILM EXPLORATION

Open to Grade 9-12. No prerequisite

This class will combine exploration of acting and directing skills in film, theatre and television. This class will examine, direct, and perform in each of these media. Students will collaborate on devised theatre and create venues for each medium. Guest artists will critique and workshop in this class. 

Upper School students may earn a Performance Arts credit in one or more of the following co-curricular activities. These credits will be included in overall graduation credits but WILL NOT fulfill the mandatory Fine Arts Academic credits needed for graduation. These activities will be graded PASS/FAIL based on specific criteria.

Stuart has two singing groups: the Tartantones, open to all, and Vox Unum, an auditioned vocal ensemble. In addition, Stuart offers an instrumental ensemble to provide opportunities for students to perform throughout the year. These are full year commitments.

Stuart also offers two dramatic productions that students can enroll as members of cast or crew. These productions are in the first and second trimester.

Full Year Courses

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

Open to Grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Private lessons and/or experience on an orchestra or band instrument. Meets 3 times per cycle.

The emphasis of this group is the rehearsal and performance of classic and modern music that is appropriate to the group’s size and ability. The students will learn about different ensemble arrangements, performance styles, and the history of instruments, composers, symphonies and music culture. Each student will develop personal musicianship and a sense for working together as an ensemble. As a small and independent group, the members will have input into the music that they will study and perform, arranging pre-existing publications if necessary. They will also perform together in each class and depending on development may have opportunities to perform for the rest of the school. Each student must provide their own instrument. Private lessons can be provided onsite at Stuart, which take place during extra help, study halls, or after school for an extra fee. The instructor can be contacted for scheduling and specific questions on lessons.

TARTANTONES

Open to grades 9-12. Meets three times per cycle. No Prerequisites.

The emphasis of this group is rehearsal and performance of high quality choral music. Each student will develop personal musicianship, vocal skills, and a sense for working together as an ensemble. The director will choose classic and modern music for this group that is appropriate to its size and ability while also taking repertoire suggestions from students. This choir provides opportunities to perform for peers, parents, faculty, and the general public. The Tartantones perform at Evensong, Spring Concert, Prize Day, Graduation, and other venues on and off campus. The culmination of the Tartantones’ school year will be a trip to a choir competition or performance (location to be announced).

VOX UNUM

Prerequisite: Successful audition and membership in Tartantones, constant attendance at rehearsals. Meets one evening per week from 5:30-6:15pm and occasional lunches.

This group performs advanced choral selections for special occasions within Stuart and for the local community. Each student will develop advanced musicianship, vocal skills, and a sense for working together as an ensemble. The director will choose classical and modern music for this group that is appropriate to its size and ability while also taking repertoire suggestions from students. This choir provides opportunities to perform for peers, parents, faculty, and the general public. Vox Unum perform at Evensong, Spring Concert, Prize Day, Graduation, and other venues on and off campus. The culmination of the Vox Unum school year will be a trip to a choir competition or performance (location to be announced).

Trimester Courses

FALL PLAY

Offered first trimester

Open to grades 9 -12. No prerequisite. Rehearsals are after school and some weekends.

This production is a fully staged play or evening of One Act. It may be a comedy or drama and is tailored to the interests of the cast. Students actively participate in the creation of the production from costumes, stage design, acting, and publicity. All students who participate receive a role in the production either cast or crew based on students preference. Students actively learn collaboration, communication and creative problem solving while increasing their dramatic skills.

WINTER MUSICAL

Offered second trimester

Open to grades 9 -12. No prerequisite. Rehearsals are after school and some weekends.

This production is a fully staged musical complete with a Stage Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, Lighting and Sound Directors and supported by a professional pit band. Students may participate as cast or crew depending upon their preference. Students actively learn collaboration, communication and creative problem solving while increasing their musical theatre skills.