Going Solo: ATA Monologue Performances
Shore's Advanced Theater Arts (ATA) course is a transformative year of creative investigation on the stage. A comprehensive, high school level course that stretches across three trimesters, it is a unique opportunity whose only prerequisite is a willingness to take creative risks and embrace collaboration.
Over the year-long course, my students and I will explore vocal and movement training to develop self-expression and confidence; study specific acting techniques such as those of Stanislavsky, Meisner, Le Coq, and Spolin; produce a one act play that we'll present at the Massachusetts Drama Guild Festival; and attend performances in Boston.
Back in September, when I told my ATA students that their first performance project was a monologue study, they were terrified. Many of them are not experienced performers and chose to take ATA this year to become more comfortable speaking and presenting in front of others, gain confidence, and get to know themselves a little bit better. What better way than to learn how to perform a monologue in front of an audience!
Over the year-long course, my students and I will explore vocal and movement training to develop self-expression and confidence; study specific acting techniques such as those of Stanislavsky, Meisner, Le Coq, and Spolin; produce a one act play that we'll present at the Massachusetts Drama Guild Festival; and attend performances in Boston.
While one of the most basic acting exercises, monologues are also one of the more challenging performances to accomplish as an actor. It’s just you on stage. There is no one else to depend on or support you if you forget a line, and all the focus is on you.
The ATA students each chose their monologues and then analyzed the text: who is this character? What does s/he want? What is his or her story and why is it worth listening to? Young actors often think that once they memorize their lines, they’re all set. What they come to learn is that getting your lines memorized is just the beginning. Over the course of weeks, the students learned the importance of pacing, pauses, subtext, and action in performing a monologue.
They began this project with many doubts about whether they would be ready, but by performance time, they were indeed ready. Presenting in front of their peers in the Upper School, they supported each other backstage and found the confidence to step out onto the stage and embody their characters. Taking their final bows, they each felt immensely proud, and that maybe they had emboldened themselves in the process. Bravi, young thespians!
-
-
Performing a monologue can be a terrifying proposition.
-
Sarah Carlin leads the class.
-
-
Students supported peers from off stage.
-
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.