Expectations and Coursework

Creative Video

The overall emphasis is for students to develop the basic skills in story conception writing, storyboarding, directing, scene development, prop and scene set up, filming, sound, effects, transitions, and editing. As a result RCA students will learn how video/film can be used as a creative vehicle to tell their story. Through video/film they will learn how to establish and affect the viewers' emotions. They will also acquire their own unique style of creative expression. These skills include:

• Storyboarding
• Story Conception
• Sound
• Special Effects (audio/video)
• Lighting
• Directing
• Scene Development
• Prop and Scene Set Up
• Camera Operation
• Camera Filming
• Editing
• Post-Production

The nature of video production requires students to work together as a team, so in addition to the technical skills outlined above, students will acquire time management skills, creative expression, and experience managing and working as a team.

Dance

The core of the program is modern dance. While students do study ballet, tap, and other forms, modern dance provides the basis for the techniques students will use in other styles.

A majority of the work students do in class is focused on acquiring skills with some time dedicated to performance preparation which enhances their skill acquisition. As students advance through the program, skill acquisition continues through the lens of preparing for specific productions via the audition process.

The overall goal of this curriculum is for students is to gain the skills necessary within the four-year period to further their dance training in college if they choose to do so. The ultimate focal point of our program is on the process, not the product.

At RCA, students will work on dance technique that will include the following:

• Emphasis on a whole body, anatomical approach to dance that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression
• Focus on learned behaviors such as their “line" and shapes, memorization and performance
• Appropriate posture and alignment including flat backs, laterals, leg swings, coccyx balance, descent and ascent, lunges, développé
• Basic movements such as plié, relevé, tendu in both turned out and parallel positions
• Appropriate footwork
• Combining skills into combinations and larger pieces of choreography
• The basics techniques of ballet, modern and jazz dance
• Dance improvisation
• Choreography

Music

The music program at RCA is focused on allowing students to acquire the skills necessary to be a successful working musician. In addition to the technical skills outlined below, students also learn about the business of music and the importance of presenting themselves as a professional to their audience.

An RCA student is expected to gain the following musical skills:

• An understanding of music theory including intervals, key signatures, and time signatures

• A working knowledge of scales, modes, and chords including extensions and alterations

• The ability to play various styles including rock, swing, blues, bossa, samba, and mambo

• The ability to read music and realize charts

• The ability to improvise confidently

• The basic ability to play piano

• The experience of performing in various venues

Musical Theatre

The overall emphasis in the musical theater program is to help students acquire the basic skills to become a successful musical theater performer, including instruction in acting, singing and dance. An RCA student is expected to gain skills which include the following:

• Dance terminology and techniques
• Basic musical theater dance combinations
• Choreography
• Music sight reading
• Song analysis/solo work
• Vocal technique
• Audition technique
• Script analysis
• Character development
• Theater history
• Stage craft

All students will prepare for and perform in scenes as part of their class. As students advance through the program, skill acquisition continues through the lens of preparing for specific productions via the audition process.

Theatre

The overall emphasis of our work in the theatre department is to help students acquire the basic skills necessary to be a successful actor. An RCA student is expected to gain knowledge and skills which include the following:

• Voice and speech including projection and diction
• Script analysis
• Character development
• Physical acting
• Solo and collaborative improvisation
• Theatre history
• Stage directing
• Audition techniques

All students will prepare for and perform a variety of materials as part of their classwork, including monologues and scenes. The overall goal of this curriculum is for students to gain the skills necessary within the four-year period to further their acting skills in college if they choose to do so. The ultimate focal point of our program is on the process, not the product.