Theatre

This course is designed to give dance and acting students a working knowledge of the language of music. The development of the system of notation of music, while presented in an accessible historical context, is geared to developing the student's reading and listening skills through the study of rhythm, melody, harmony, tempos, dynamics, musical forms and score reading. An overview of music as applied to dance and the broad spectrum of music in a theatrical context will be given.

This course introduces the student to the creating process and is designed to help each student to find his or her unique voice through exercises in self-expression and dramatic writing. It is structured to stimulate performer creativity and the initiative required to self-generate and fulfill original work and encourage students to take a significant role in the development of the theatre of which they want to be a part. The class will be a mix of individual and collaborative exploration with dance and acting students working together in exercises designed to stimulate unique collaborations between their diverse theatrical approaches and "languages", spawning a more theatrical and expressive form of presentation. Students will be required to incorporate the material and techniques covered into a piece of their own creation, to be presented at the end of each semester. Semester I will be a "first draft" and Semester II will be a "second draft" of the piece or a "first draft" of a new piece.

A continuation of Music I, this course enables students to explore the rudiments of singing and to apply the principles of music theory and score reading through choral singing. Emphasis will be placed on the study of the vocal production, including breathing, voice placement, diction, pitch and warm-up techniques.

This course is a continuation of the exploration begun CPSI. It will continue to develop the creative spirit of the performer and move into an area of larger, more complex ideas and expressions leading to a finished piece of his or her own creation, to be presented at the end of the semester. In the third week students will begin mask improvisation work and continue until the end of term. This is designed to expand the student's creative vocabulary and will culminate with performance pieces at the end of first term. In second term work will further develop the creative exploration using this expanded vocabulary.

This course combines the theory and practice of teaching classical dance and provides students with an overview of the material required to teach children aged 4 to 12. Students will explore the fundamentals, objectives and chronological development of ballet technique, free movement and character dance, employing elements of the internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance Graded syllabi from Pre-Primary to Grade V as a basis of reference. Focus will be placed on class construction, the formulation of lesson plans for the various levels and on developing the creative potential of the child. Other elements covered include methods of assessing the child's individual physical stages of development, giving corrections - both general and individual, fostering the child's conceptual learning through the use of imagery, encouraging a sense of movement, dance quality and musicality, choosing appropriate music to bring out the rhythm and dynamics of exercises and evaluating the child's individual progress.

This course is a continuation of the exploration begun CPSII. In first term dancers and actors will work separately then join together for second term. At this point in the training, the students will incorporate what they learned from their previous presentations to make their pieces ready for submissions to public festivals and other professional venues. These pieces will be presented at the end of the year.

Speech Arts and Drama have been part of the Royal Conservatory of Music since 1987. Today, the Royal Conservatory of Music Speech Arts and Drama Department continues to provide instruction in this graded examination program for those students interested in pursuing a teaching or performing career. This course covers the material required for the RCM's Grade 10 and the A.R.T.C. Diploma in Speech Arts. Students will study the technique of vocal production and speech, speech faults and exercises for their correction, choice of material for junior, senior and adult ranges, dramatic movement, characterization, improvisation and the RCM technical requirements and the required repertoire of poems and prose.

This course will help the students to examine their individual singing voice, while centering on relaxation, resonance, tone, flexibility and support, through selected musical pieces from the musical theatre repertoire.

This course combines the theory and practice of teaching classical dance and provides students with an overview of the material required to teach students aged 13 and up. Students will study the principles, objectives and chronological development of ballet technique, free movement and character dance, employing the internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dancing Graded syllabi from Grade VI to VIII and the Vocational Graded Elementary and Intermediate syllabi as a basis of reference. Other elements covered include preparation of class plans, methods of dealing with individual physiques and common physical problems, giving constructive corrections - both general and individual, working with an accompanist, fostering a sense of freedom of movement, dance quality and musicality, and encouraging creativity.

An optional course for a limited number of students who have special interest in directing, designing, writing and choreographing. The seminars will focus on conceptual and structural analysis of a theatrical work, research, and the establishment of production values. Students will be encouraged to play a larger role in the creating and production of theatrical works more in tune with their own aesthetics and to sample the range of skills necessary to do the job. There will be extensive in-class directing. As their final project, students will stage 15 minutes scenes for open presentation.

An extension of THG 32A/B for students who have demonstrated marked talent as designers, directors, playwrights or choreographers. Students will work closely with staff and guest directors in the Ryerson Theatre Company. They will be required to assume full responsibility for a thesis production, which will be mounted in the studio theatre. As maturity and talent dictate, they may be assigned full responsibility for designing, directing, writing or choreographing a major work. Admission to this practicum is by portfolio and interview. Candidates may be students who have completed THG 32A/B, students who have demonstrated exceptional directorial or design talent during their completing of a program offered by another Department in the Faculty of Arts, or candidates who have practical experience in community or professional theatre. Enrolment is limited, selective and requires permission from the Chair of the Department. Hours vary according to assignments.