SCS Curriculum

Theatre and Dance

Dance Department Philosophy

It is the philosophy of the Dance Department that all students possess the ability to communicate artistically through movement, thus St. Catherine’s offers a comprehensive program to support and foster skills in the areas of creative dramatics, dance and choreography. The dance curriculum promotes a student’s discovery of movement, through carefully designed sequences of exploration, collaboration and appropriate performing experiences. Students are challenged through multidimensional activities that stimulate the creative process and engage body, mind and spirit. The department seeks to provide and safe and comfortable dance environment where the unique talent’s of each individual are recognized, celebrated and appropriately cultivated.

The Dance Curriculum is designed, intentionally, to support the Girl Centered missions of St. Catherine’s School by providing all students with collaborative, innovative and experiential learning opportunities through the avenues of dance and choreography. The strong focus on creative expression evolves from our understanding that girls learn best when presented with information through a variety of dimensions.  When girls explore concepts through movement, they understand and retain knowledge in a profound way.  The Department is mindful of the students’ rigorous academic course loads and extra-curricular commitments, therefore, all Dance classes are incorporated into the daily school schedule with great effort made to minimize afternoon and evening rehearsals, performances and related events. 

Dance Department Goals:
  1. Students will explore dance as an art form through improvisation and creative self-expression.
  2. Students will learn to recognize and value their individuality and develop self-confidence.
  3. Students will acquire the skills necessary to learn movement, develop choreography, perform, and analyze dance.
  4. tudents will utilize and develop critical thinking skills through the process of dance composition and improvisation.
  5. Students will work collaboratively, developing communication skills and applying the value of shared ideas as a creative strategy.
  6. Students will understand the relationships between dance and other art forms.
  7. Students will study and understand the historical and cultural aspects of dance, recognizing and engaging in diverse dance experiences.
  8. Students will develop physical strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and performance skill.
Theatre Department Philosophy
It is the philosophy of the Theatre Department that success is dependent on the careful collaboration of skills in both the technical and performance aspects of the theatre. The department seeks to produce quality theatre events by training students in the techniques required to do so, thus following this unique set of principles.

The Theatre Department believes that:
  • Commitment is important at all levels of participation.
  • All members can make a valuable contribution to the organization.
  • New ideas can be expressed in a safe, nurturing environment.
  • Self-discipline is an aid, not an impediment to self-expression.
  • Except when casting demands it, theatre makes no distinctions of gender, age, size, or social standing. 
  • Leadership is as much of a responsibility as it is a privilege.
The Theatre Curriculum is designed to support the missions of St. Catherine’s School through innovative, project-based learning. The schedule is flexible, allowing students to engage in Theatre coursework both in and outside of the school day or as needed to balance individual needs.  Class studies and related activities are developed to meet the specific or related interests of Girls in that age group.  Scripted material is also selected in an effort to expose students to the works of female playwrights and/or works including diverse female characters. 

Theatre Department Goals:
  1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the creative process.
  2. Students will demonstrate awareness of artistic sensibility and judgment in themselves and others.
  3. Students will evaluate the ways in which they use theatre as a means of self-expression and self-discovery.
  4. Students will be encouraged to use skills developed while learning the discipline of theatre craft in their approaches to other subject areas.
  5. Students will articulate the differences and similarities between theatre and other art forms.
  6. Students will become acquainted with the work of professional theatre artists.
  7. Students will be given leadership opportunities in all disciplines of theatre.
  8. Students will demonstrate an understanding and an appreciation of the importance of preparation prior to rehearsal and performance.
Scope and Sequence for Middle School Theatre and Dance
 
Grade 5:
Theatre/ Dance Teller
Learn and experience the dances and stories of other cultures. Explore the art of Mime. Learn faculty work. Create original work. Experiment with different levels of physicality. Experiment with movement and theatre improvisation. Collaborate to produce performance works.

Grade 6:
Theatre/Dance Exploration
Combines both Theatre and Dance techniques to create multidimensional artistic performances. Discover similarities between dance and theatre. Develop an understanding of how movement and dialogue impact each other. Explore and experiment with physical movement and vocal techniques.

Grade 7:
Dance Creation and Performance
Discover relationship between dance and emotion; use body and mind as artistic media; ensemble awareness in movement; interpret music, abstract ideas and express through improvisation; performance skills, conduct, and concentration; proper audience conduct and support; create, rehearse and perform collaboratively in small groups; articulate analysis and synthesis in peer and self evaluations.

Introduction to Acting
Focuses on voice and movement as the actor’s tools. Students develop skills through improvisation, character and script analysis. Students learn basic acting skills and have the opportunity to engage in
scenes with one another.

Grade 8:
Dance Study:
Create original work; create individually and collaboratively; adjust/adapt ideas as new conditions are introduced; decision making; introduction to Twentieth Century choreographic styles; manipulate movement based on elements of dance.

Acting:
Builds upon skills learned in the 7th Grade Introduction to Acting elective. Students learn more advanced scene work, engage in deeper character building skills, script analysis and directing.

Introduction to Technical Theatre:
Introduces students to the basic concepts of technical theatre and gives them hands on experiences in the scenic arts. Students are introduced to concepts in set, lighting and sound design. Students then develop basic construction methods and mastery of tools for the implementation of designs.

Performing Ensembles:
Grades 5/6: La Petite Joni
Develop advanced performance and choreographic skill. Improve dance technique. Perform in chapel, Daisy Days, and Spring Concert.

Grades 7/8: Just Joni Dancers
Further develop advanced performance and choreographic skill. Perform for Spring Concert as well as at community events.

Grades 5-8: Joni Fusion
Focus on detailed development of technical, choreographic and performance skills. Perform in Spring Concert and other community events.

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6001 Grove Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23226
804-288-2804
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.