YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Waldorf Initiative in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
COURSES AND CLASSES
DRAMA CLASS - COURSE
OUTLINE
K O'Brien, Director
"Well said: let's go at once and, gladly kneeling,
express the gratitude which all are feeling,
Then, when that first great duty has been done,
We'll turn with pleasure to a second one,
And give Valere, whose love has proven so true,
The wedded happiness which is his due."
-Orgon, from Tartuffe
In this class we will begin (and successfully complete) the process of producing the spring play - TARTUFFE by Moliere. We will start with a reading of this play about hypocrisy and religion (read in Seussian rhymed couplets) leading into a discussion of all the elements involved in putting a play together. Groups will be formed - set design and costume design will spend time researching and presenting their ideas and sketches along with plans to implement these ideas. Chris Cox will help with drafting the scenic design. A crew will be put together to build the set, led by Chris and John Tully, who will also lead the paint crew in its design and application. Erica Hoddap will oversee the costume construction crew. Jan Rasikas will help with the make-up designs. Students will have three weeks to complete the designs and begin their implementations. We will also put together a publicity crew to design posters and write articles, along with publicity shots done by photography students. AnnaJo and Shawn will choreograph an opening dance number based on the tango dance class, along with stiltwalkers and any other silly party tricks they have up their sleeve. Students not cast in the show will be able to be part of this opening party scene - in fact it will be necessary! Cast members will spend class time learning lines and working on scenes and character. Most of this will be done during classes, but there will be some after school work when needed. The object will to have the entire play blocked by May 18. The following two weeks will be spent in full time production, pulling the show together with all the elements available for run-thrus. Our planned schedule is to perform at the Temple Theatre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday May 31, June 1 and 2. Set load in will be Wednesday May 30, with a light focus that evening and Thursday morning. We will run through the play onstage at the Temple Thursday afternoon.
There will also be an opportunity for students not cast in Tatuffe to create another play, as yet unkown, led by John Madden. This is in an experimental stage and will rely on the energy of the students who wish to be involved. We are trying this in an effort to give more students stage time since Tartuffe has only eight major characters, which the senior and junior class have been cast in. We have discussed the idea of a 'curtain warmer', a completely separate play, or a short play which 'interrupts' Tartuffe. This concept must be developed in the first three weeks of class if it is going to be a reality.
There will be plenty of work for anyone interested in helping, whether signed up for this class or not. Once the designs are confirmed there will be work on all the elements - sets, costumes, lights, sound, props, publicity - whether you are in the class or not. Students not onstage during Tartuffe will be part of the backstage crew or front of house help during the show. The best part of creating a drama class such as this is - in the end the proof will be in the pudding - all our efforts will be onstage for the community to see. I see much applause in our future for all the hard work we are about to embark on.