Acting is an exhilarating ride that every student at St. Andrew’s is encouraged to take at least once, even those who don’t enrol in the drama course. Proportionately, the number of boys involved in drama at St. Andrew’s College far exceeds that of any of our rivals.
Each fall, dozens of our students receive their introduction to drama by taking part in a major production of a classical play. At St. Andrew’s we’re committed to producing classical theatre – committed, that is, to keeping what was of most worth in the past perpetually in trust and available to our students in the present.
The experience of producing a classical play each fall has come more and more to mean a sharing, not simply of a specific performance or production, but, more specifically, an obligation to provide our students with a chance to learn and grow, an opportunity to distinguish between the universal truths of classical theatre and the opinion that so often passes for truth among writers of lesser insight.
Focus - Our Commitment to Innovative Artforms
But it’s the writers of our own day who tell us where we are and who show us where we might go. They illuminate our present condition, and it’s this light that we encourage at Focus Festival of the Arts. Maintaining the Drama Department’s long-standing commitment to innovative artforms, Focus provides our students with a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of performing styles and production techniques. Each spring, our students are transported to new levels of theatrical daring. Focus has been laying tracks now for 30 years – a fact that affirms the central place drama occupies at St. Andrew’s. The festival has long been distinguished by its vision, versatility, imagination, innovation, and a sense of adventure and artistic excellence. Last year’s menu - more than 300 students taking part in over 25 productions – shows just what a ripple effect the festival has had over the years. This is a startling figure – unrivalled by any school in North America, apart from those devoted solely to the performing arts. Everybody wants to get in on the act!
But it’s the writers of our own day who tell us where we are and who show us where we might go. They illuminate our present condition, and it’s this light that we encourage at Focus Festival of the Arts. Maintaining the Drama Department’s long-standing commitment to innovative artforms, Focus provides our students with a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of performing styles and production techniques. Each spring, our students are transported to new levels of theatrical daring. Focus has been laying tracks now for 30 years – a fact that affirms the central place drama occupies at St. Andrew’s. The festival has long been distinguished by its vision, versatility, imagination, innovation, and a sense of adventure and artistic excellence. Last year’s menu - more than 300 students taking part in over 25 productions – shows just what a ripple effect the festival has had over the years. This is a startling figure – unrivalled by any school in North America, apart from those devoted solely to the performing arts. Everybody wants to get in on the act!
William Scoular
Head of Drama
Head of Drama
COURSES
- Drama, Grade 10, Open
ADA2O
Prerequisite: None
This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms, conventions, and techniques. Students will explore a variety of dramatic sources from various cultures and representing a range of genres. Students will use the elements of drama in creating and communicating through dramatic works. Students will assume responsibility for decisions made in the creative and collaborative processes and will reflect on their experiences. In addition to acting for the stage and producing plays, students will also learn the basics of film acting and develop original short films. These films will then be professionally shot at Cinespace Studios in Toronto with a professional crew and then edited in a state of the art post facility. At Cinespace, students will learn to perform a number of film crew positions on a professional film set.
- Drama, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
ADA3M
Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 9 or 10, Open
This course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations. Students will analyze, interpret, and perform dramatic works from various cultures and time periods. Students will research various acting styles and conventions that could be used in their presentations, and analyze the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences. In addition to acting for the stage and producing plays, students will also learn the basics of film acting and develop original short films. These films will then be professionally shot at Cinespace Studios in Toronto with a professional crew and then edited in a state of the art post facility. At Cinespace, students will learn to perform a number of film crew positions on a professional film set.
- Drama, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
ADA4M
Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or Open
This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods. Students will interpret dramatic literature and other texts and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures and will analyze how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school. In addition to acting for the stage and producing plays, students will also learn the basics of film acting and develop original short films. These films will then be professionally shot at Cinespace Studios in Toronto with a professional crew and then edited in a state of the art post facility. At Cinespace, students will learn to perform a number of film crew positions on a professional film set.
Faculty
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St. Andrew's College
15800 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 Canada
Tel: 905-727-3178
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