Visual and Performing Arts

The course will begin by looking at excerpts from Aristotle’s Poetics and the earliest structures of western theater. Once the “stage” has been set with a concrete understanding of the emergence of theater as an art form, the course will shift to a “hands on” exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of theatrical performance through the mediums of acting (acting theory, monologues, and scene work), directing (directorial theory, creation of directorial concepts, and scene work), and design (exploring different design aesthetics – realism and non-realism – of scenery and costumes). The core texts of the course will be based in iconic theoretical pieces from each area (i.e. Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Peter Brook and Bertolt Brecht) that will be augmented by specific pieces of dramatic literature chosen by the students as necessary for each unit (ranging from the realistic style of Arthur Miller to the absurdist style of Samuel Beckett). The bulk of the reading and work will be happening during class time, but there will be some out-of-class required homework assignments.

Advanced Theater: Directing builds off of the concepts studied during the directing unit of Introduction to Theatrical Arts. The focus will be an experiential in-depth study of three major theater directors and their theories on stage direction (Peter Brook, Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud). Each unit will be divided into two sections: theory and practice. Students will read, study and discuss the directing theories of these artists and then put those theories into practice through directing and staging scenes from selected pieces of dramatic literature. This process will allow each student to intellectually understand the material and then to master the execution of those skills and ideas. The culminating project will be a fully fleshed out directorial concept of an existing text complete with a fully blocked and staged scene from that piece that embodies their vision for the text.

Advanced Theater: Acting builds off of the concepts studied during the acting unit of Introduction to Theatrical Arts. The focus will be an in-depth study of two major actor training methods: Stanislavski/Uta Hagen and Sanford Meisner. The course will spend the first quarter on an in-depth study of these methods, their theories, practices and exercises in order for students to master the understanding and execution of those skills. The second quarter will be spent putting those skills to work through monologue and scene work. The culminating product will be a public performance where students will create a showcase of their work and offer a post-performance discussion for audience members to ask questions about the process as well as the performance.

This course builds off of the concepts studied during the design unit of Introduction to Theatrical Arts. The focus will be an experiential in-depth study of three major design areas: scenery, costumes and lighting/sound. This elective will be both theoretical and practical. Students will study and practice what precisely goes into effective design (the practical as well as the aesthetic), how to communicate and collaborate with directors, actors and other designers by creating designs in all areas and in multiple styles (realism, symbolism, etc) for several productions. They will also learn the practical/hands on skills of design by focusing actual lighting instruments, creating and recording cues, building platforms and flats and the fitting of costumes. The culminating project will be a full design (scenery, costumes and lighting/sound) for one piece of dramatic literature complete with scale model and full color renderings to be presented and possibly displayed.

Advanced Theater: Production and Performance builds off of the three major units studied in Introduction to Theatrical Arts (Acting, Directing and Design) as well as furthers the practical and theoretical applications from Advanced Theater: Acting, Directing and Design and culminates in a fully experiential investigation of the art of theatrical production and performance. The theoretical and practical applications will be implemented and explored through the final project/product of this course. This project will be a fully immersive student driven, directed, produced, acted and designed production that will be performed once during their class period and once at an evening performance both of which are open to the public.

This beginning studio course will introduce students to creative and foundational processes in observational and experimental drawing. Students will explore and experience a variety of drawing techniques, media, and historical approaches to art, this includes the review of compositional basics while developing visual understanding of form, color, line, and texture in both figurative and abstract art. Projects, class discussions, and critiques are designed to guide students through the creative process from concept to image. Drawing is a semester-long course and may be repeated once.

This beginning studio course will introduce students to creative and foundational processes in observational and experimental painting. Students will explore and experience a variety of painting techniques, media, and historical approaches to art, this includes the review of compositional basics, color theory, form, and drawing as essential elements of the course. Projects, class discussions, and critiques are designed to guide students through the creative process from concept to image. Painting is a semester-long course and may be repeated once.

This course will develop and extend the knowledge of ceramic technique, and process. Ceramics students will be expected to complete projects designed and introduced by the instructor and also projects of their choosing. Projects will expand student knowledge of historical and contemporary art practices and challenge students to invent and create solutions. Students will be expected to display discipline, problem-solving skills, artistic and conceptual risk-taking and originality. This introductory 3D class may only be taken twice however, students are encouraged to register for the next level of course as suited for their schedule.

This sculpture course is an introductory 3D art class. Sculpture explores visual expression through three-dimensional form. Methods of construction include additive, subtractive, assemblage and sight–specific considerations. The focus of this course is to introduce students to traditional, as well as, non-traditional sculpture materials, while working on a variety of concepts. Projects push students to understand material and narrative content as they develop visual problem-solving skills. Students are expected to display discipline, artistic and conceptual risk-taking, and originality. This introductory class may only be taken twice, however, students are encouraged to register for the next level of course as suited for their schedule.

This beginning studio course will cover manual camera operation, black and white film processing, enlarging, and digital photographic processes. Students will develop their knowledge of both digital and darkroom photographic technique using professional tools and software including a dedicated, state-of-the-art, digital iMac computer lab with Epson printers, and a traditional darkroom. Projects, class discussions, and critiques will expand student knowledge of historical and contemporary art practices and challenge students to explore their unique creative voice.

This introductory level course will cover the core concepts of video production including camera operation, storyboarding, audio capture, lighting, editing and post-production. Students will develop and extend their knowledge of video and time-based media using professional tools and software including a dedicated, state-of-the-art, digital iMac editing lab. Aesthetic, technical, historical, and conceptual issues will be addressed through lectures, hands-on demonstrations, in-class exercises, projects, screenings, and discussion and projects will challenge students to explore their unique creative voice.

This intermediate course will introduce students to creative and foundational processes in Printmaking. The class will explore a range of printmaking techniques, including but not limited to, the use of: stencils; collagraphs as well as relief, reduction, and transfer printmaking processes and various mono print applications. We will also explore the possibilities available to explore these processes in new media utilizing the Design Lab as a supplemental classroom. Students will be expected to complete a series of exercises and projects designed by the instructor. Projects will range from basic introductory methods to complex techniques in achieving accuracy, depth, and personal creativity. Students will also engage in class critiques and at home sketching assignments in order to develop an understanding that creativity and confidence in art is cultivated through practice. This course may be repeated as many semesters as will fit a student’s academic goals.

In this intermediate studio course students will use skills learned in Painting and Drawing in order to cultivate deeper understandings of shape, color, composition and intent. With concentrated emphasis on conceptual development and technical exploration this studio course provides students the opportunity to investigate the development of individual ideas within a communal learning environment. This course will engage art making in experimental and immersive ways and is designed to assist students in making connections between their own work and larger global themes and ideas found in contemporary and historical art movements.

Ceramics Fabrication serves as an intermediate level Ceramics course and highlights the adventurous spirit of design, invention and visual problem-solving. Students engage in a series of processes that will lead them into product design, group collaborations, high-tech models, and slip casting. Traditional and non-traditional applications will be explored. Students will expand their skills and awareness of a visual vocabulary, and personal expression. this intermediate 3D class may only be taken twice, however, students are encouraged to register for the next level of course as suited for their schedule.

In this intermediate level course, students will deepen their knowledge of video and audio production while creating unique projects that explore storytelling from various perspectives. This semester-long, studio based course will offer hands-on learning through intermediate level equipment and editing software demonstrations, film screenings and analysis, and peer-to-peer critique. Students will practice all aspects of visual storytelling from screenwriting, to storyboarding, cinematography, audio capture, and post-production. Students will be challenged to incorporate new technical skills into their video production toolbox while conceptualizing and completing multi-step creative projects individually and as members of a small film crew. 

In this intermediate level photography course, students will consider the historical contexts of image-making while incorporating new techniques into their photographic practice. This semester-long, studio-based course will offer hands-on learning with intermediate-level equipment, editing software, material demonstrations, art world research, and peer-to-peer critique. Assignments will give students a basic structure that they will then be encouraged to expand on to fit their own artistic research and interests, and to explore their own personal vision.

This advanced class brings together students specifically interested in continuing their investigation in applications of drawing and painting. As an advanced class, students will be expected to work independently and to arrive at each class prepared to move personal ideas and projects forward. A greater concentration on personal research, influence and artist expression will push students to create a small body of work for presentation or exhibition.

This advanced class brings together students specifically interested in continuing their investigation in applications of ceramics and sculpture. As a capstone class, students will be expected to work in independent manners, and to arrive at each class prepared to move personal ideas and projects forward. A greater concentration on personal research, influence and artist expression will push students to create a small body of work for presentation, or exhibition at the end of each semester.

This advanced class brings together students specifically interested in continuing their investigation in applications of photography and/or video arts. As an advanced class, students will be expected to work independently and to arrive at each class prepared to move personal ideas and projects forward. A greater concentration on personal research, influence and artist expression will push students to create a small body of work for presentation, or exhibition at the end of each semester.

This advanced class brings together students specifically interested in continuing their investigation in applications of photography and/or video arts. As an advanced class, students will be expected to work independently and to arrive at each class prepared to move personal ideas and projects forward. A greater concentration on personal research, influence and artist expression will push students to create a small body of work for presentation, or exhibition at the end of each semester.

Summit Singers is a SSA treble choir that meets before school on Tuesday and Thursdays 7:20-7:55. Interested treble singers can be in both Summit Singers and Academy Chorale. Summit Singers performs in several school and community concerts during the year, singing different programs each semester including recent popular music, choral repertoire, and original arrangements and compositions. Students should expect to work in a supportive group environment and be willing to take risks.

Academy Chorale is a SATB choir open to all singers regardless of voice type. The Academy Chorale performs in several school and community concerts during the year, singing different programs each semester including recent popular music, choral repertoire, and original arrangements and compositions. Students should expect to work in a supportive group environment and be willing to take risks.

The Academy Symphony orchestra is open to players of string, woodwind, french horn, percussion, and keyboard instruments at intermediate to advanced levels. A wide variety of high quality literature from classical to pop and film music is played while the students develop musical and ensemble skills and technical proficiency. High emphasis is placed on team spirit and attention to detail. The Academy Symphony will give two concerts during the year. Participation in the concerts is required.

The Honors Sinfonia is an ensemble open to advanced string, percussion, woodwind, french horn and keyboard players grade 9-12 by invitation of the department only. In addition to learning and performing the full repertoire of the Academy Symphony, the Honors Sinfonia will work on their own, advanced literature which will be performed in the Pops Concert (fall semester) and Spring Concert (spring semester). Team spirit and attention to detail are prerequisites as well as a high technical proficiency and demonstrated ability to learn music quickly, independently, and thoroughly. Participation for the whole year is encouraged due to the cumulative nature of the program; otherwise continuous work on the instrument needs to be demonstrated (see instructor). Participation in the concerts is required.

The Upper School Jazz Ensemble is open to keyboard, bass, electric guitar, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and drum set players who have had adequate previous experience on their instrument. An audition will be required for students new to SPA. This ensemble performs a variety of challenging literature with emphasis on traditional American jazz styles. Jazz improvisation and music theory are also part of the curriculum. The ensemble performs a minimum of two concerts throughout the year and participation at those concerts is mandatory. Students also have opportunities to form smaller ensembles and jazz combos. Students are expected to practice as necessary to contribute to the group at the highest level.