Totally Trollwood Academy

TOTALLY TROLLWOOD ACADEMY
Grades 5-7

(all grades refer to 2024-2025 school year)

Period 1 (9:00am-10:20am)

Dance Styles
Get ready to have fun and learn some awesome dance moves! In our Dance Styles Class, you’ll explore a mix of Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary styles. Whether you’re new to dance or want to try something fresh, this class is the perfect way to express yourself! You’ll flow through Modern Dance, jump into Jazz with high-energy moves, master the latest Hip Hop grooves, and get creative with Contemporary styles. It’s all about having fun, building confidence, and learning cool new combinations!

Performance Lab – One Act Play
Ready to hit the stage? Join our Performance Lab and take your acting skills to the next level! In this class, you’ll work with your classmates to rehearse and perform a One-Act Play. You’ll dive into character development, learn how to project your voice, and work on timing, expression, and body language. Whether you’re a seasoned actor or just getting started, this class is all about having fun while creating a performance you’ll be proud of! At the end of the session, you’ll get to show off your hard work in a live performance for family and friends at Sun Celebration! Get ready to shine in the spotlight and bring a story to life!

Musical Theatre Vocal Technique – Contemporary
This class provides essential training for the young vocalist while singing songs from your favorite Broadway shows of today! You will learn all the basics of singing, such as proper breathing for singing, how to support the voice, proper diction and vowel formation, extending your range, and finding the ideal resonance. You will learn how to sing for an audience, including correct posture, interpretation, and how to work with an accompanist through the use of solos and group numbers. Daily sessions include physical and vocal warm-ups, group work on vocal techniques, and individual coaching on solo pieces.

Acting Basics
Unlock your creativity and engage your imagination as a new, young actor. Through theatre games and scene work, learn the basics of creating characters and using your voice, body, and emotions to breathe life into them. Explore dramatic text and learn how to bring a character from page to stage! Have a blast alongside your peers as you explore working together on many scenes, and not only enhance your acting skills but boost your self-confidence!

Stage Makeup
Explore the field of makeup design & application in this course! Beginning with an understanding of physical facial structure and visual principles, this class will open your mind to different ways of approaching the human face—through a wide range of application techniques, materials, and conceptual play. Example lessons may include transformation, character design development, artistic drawing, tattooing, and a variety of character looks, including glamour, old age, scar/blood/injury, fantasy, and more! Anyone who has taken Stage Makeup previously is invited to participate again as course topics and instruction levels adjust each year to match the experience and knowledge of students enrolled.

NOTE: It is required that each student has their own personal Ben Nye makeup kit. Complete kits are available for purchase from TPAS for $80 which is paid upon registration. If financial barriers preclude the kit purchase, please contact Student Services for assistance.

Beginning Stagecraft
In this hands-on course, you’ll dive into the exciting world of theater production by focusing on set design, lighting, and sound. Over four weeks, you’ll learn practical skills like building and painting small set pieces, focusing and coloring stage lights, and connecting and testing sound equipment. You’ll collaborate with your peers to design and execute a short theatrical scene, combining all the technical elements you’ve learned. Each session includes hands-on activities like constructing props, programming light cues, and creating sound effects to bring stories to life on stage. The course concludes with a student-led showcase, where you’ll demonstrate your technical creations to an audience. No prior experience required—just bring your creativity and a love for teamwork!

Period 2 (10:30am-11:50am):

Dance for Stage
Each week, you will discover the physical fun of iconic Broadway musicals as you learn and perform multiple dance combinations from selected shows! Whether it’s jazz, ballet, or contemporary styles, this class is your ticket to exploring diverse musical theatre dance techniques while increasing expressiveness and improving dance memory. This class is a great opportunity for those aiming to hone their dance audition skills.

Songwriting
Immerse yourself in the art of songwriting! Hone your craft in both music and lyric writing. Expect an interactive and engaging experience where you will receive expert support and feedback on your original material. Discover essential tools and techniques needed to bring you musical ideas to life and learn the ropes of recording your music.

Intermediate Acting
How does an actor create a character from just some writing on a page? Join this character-building experience and learn the importance of all character types to tell a story ranging from the protagonist to the villain to the comic relief! Using dramatic text and media, you will discover the complexity of character creation through making vision boards, group discussions, creative writing exercises, role-playing scenarios, and collaborative projects and scene work. Even explore what it would be like to write or create your own character! By delving into character traits, backstories, conflicts, and motivations, you will quickly realize how dynamic a character’s inner world can really be.

Film FUNdamentals
Interested in movies and television but don’t know where to start? This class will screen and analyze clips from popular movies, breaking down storytelling secrets such as the importance of setting, how camera movement underlines a scene, how to disguise exposition, how costuming, lighting and even the actors’ blocking all help to establish a tone–and much, much more! From classics to contemporary films, we will explore every genre to find out why we all love going to the movies so much! Popcorn is optional. Then to apply all that newfound knowledge, learn the basics of how to operate camera equipment, set up shots, and piece it all together using user-friendly computer editing software. Walk away with your own mini movie! Quiet on the set, please, we’re ready to roll camera!

Period 3 (1:00pm-2:20pm):

Tap Dance
Get your toes tapping and your heels clicking in this class where you will explore the foundations of tap dance while grooving to catchy tunes! From learning basic tap steps like shuffles and flaps to piecing together exciting combinations, discover the magic of making music with your feet designed for beginners to intermediate tappers alike.

NOTE: This class requires a pair of tap shoes to bring to class each day. If you are unable to purchase or provide a pair, please contact Student Services and share your shoe size as we may have options for you to borrow from our inventory.

Creative Clowning & Special Skills
Ready to step into the world of performance in a totally unique way? Our Creative Clowning & Special Skills Class is the perfect place to explore physical comedy, develop your own clown character, and learn impressive tricks that will make you stand out! In this class, you’ll experiment with humor, timing, and expression to create a memorable clown persona. You’ll also master skills like juggling and other fun circus tricks to add flair to your performances. This class is all about having fun, boosting your confidence, and tapping into your creativity while learning exciting new skills. Whether you’re looking to entertain or just try something different, this class will help you shine in a totally new way!

Musical Theatre Vocal Technique – Traditional
This class provides essential training for any young vocalist while singing songs from your favorite classic Broadway shows! From “The Wizard of Oz” to “Annie” to “The Sound of Music”, you will learn all the basics of healthy singing, such as proper breathing, how to support the voice, proper diction and vowel formation, extending your range, and finding the ideal resonance. You will learn how to sing for an audience, including correct posture, interpretation, and how to work with an accompanist through the use of solos and group numbers. Daily sessions include physical and vocal warm-ups, group work on vocal techniques, and individual coaching on solo pieces.

Acting Basics
Unlock your creativity and engage your imagination as a new, young actor. Through theatre games and scene work, learn the basics of creating characters and using your voice, body, and emotions to breathe life into them. Explore dramatic text and learn how to bring a character from page to stage! Have a blast alongside your peers as you explore working together on many scenes, and not only enhance your acting skills but boost your self-confidence!

Beginning Improv 
Get ready to join the world of improvisation and spontaneity! Learn the power of saying “YES!” to ideas, creating stories on the fly using intuition, how to rely on storytelling over punchlines, and the basics of scene building–physicalization, careful listening, high stakes, environment, and so much more! From fun games that build trust and teamwork to crafting imaginative scenes that have a beginning, middle, and end, this class is all about playing and letting loose!

Period 4 (2:30pm-3:50pm):

Hip-Hop Dance
This class allows beginner and intermediate dancers alike to unleash their self-expression and individuality through basic hip-hop moves! Over the course of the month, you’ll learn the fundamentals while finding your confidence on the dance floor in a supportive environment. Participate in exercises designed to enhance your groundedness and master quick weight shifts to use during dance sequences. Break it down!

Intermediate Improv
Building on what you already know, get ready to amp up your improv skills! In this class, you will dive deeper into making scenes organically spontaneous by saying “YES!” to ideas without overthinking. Jazz up your scenes by playing around with different types of characters, movements & gestures, and really listening to each other to make the stories even more engaging. Short and long form improvisation skills will be explored in a supportive and encouraging environment!

Show Choir
Show Choir is where melodies meet motion! This class is designed for a singer and/or stage performer who wants to explore a mix of pop, rock, and Broadway hits. Not only will you be jamming and singing your heart out to loveable tunes, additionally, stage movement and stage presence will be incorporated. We will work together to craft an ensemble performance to entertain and delight an audience at the end of the month at Sun Celebration!

Beginning Monologues
Ever wanted to stand out on stage and bring a character to life? In our Beginning Monologues class, you’ll learn how to perform powerful monologues with confidence and creativity! This class will teach you how to choose the right monologue, connect with your character, and use your voice, body, and emotions to tell a compelling story. You’ll build your acting skills through fun exercises, get personalized feedback, and work on delivering your monologue with energy and style. By the end of the class, you’ll feel more confident speaking and performing in front of others, and you’ll have a monologue for your next audition. It’s a great way to discover the actor within you and take your first step toward the stage!

TOTALLY TROLLWOOD ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS

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Scott McClure
Film Studies & Filmmaking

Scott McClure is a filmmaker, writer, and actor. A Fargo native, he created a popular web-series and a following on YouTube. Currently, he is working on several film projects with Trollwood Alumni and colleagues. He’s excited to be back again as an instructor and Trollwood Players Director.

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Ginny Glaser
Acting & Stage Makeup

Ginny Glaser is a Los Angeles based performer with 20 years of experience as an actress, recording artist, and lyricist. She is a Trollwood alumnus, performing in the Mainstage Musical for five years in such roles as Dorothy (The Wiz), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Narrator (Joseph), and Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof). She’s thrilled to be with her Fargo friends and family this summer!

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Ayden Smith
Acting & Songwriting

Ayden Smith is an actor and musician in Fargo. Growing up in Wahpeton, he moved to Fargo to attend NDSU for Vocal Music and Theatre. Ayden spends his time performing in a variety of productions around the area, writing songs, and singing karaoke. He is excited to return to Trollwood to teach classes in June and Stage Manage Matilda Jr. with The Totally Trollwood Musical.

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Madi Goerig
Vocals

Madi Goerig is a fourth-year student at Concordia College-Moorhead studying Vocal Music Education. As a student at Concordia, Madi sings as a soprano in Chapel Choir and recently performed in Concordia Opera Studio’s production of Dan Shore’s An Embarrassing Position. She has performed in high school and community theatre productions including All Shook Up! and Matilda. Madi is excited to return for her second summer at Trollwood teaching TTA vocal classes and ArtSpark!

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Eve Hanson
Dance

Eve is a performing artist currently working in the Twin Cities, and is a Trollwood Performing Arts School Alumna. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in History. In 2023, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Masters of Education in Secondary Social Studies and just finished her first year of teaching at Spring Lake Park High School. Her experiences working and performing with both visiting and local professional artists with the U of M Dance Theatre have helped her expand her artistic possibilities and facilitate growth in choreographing, movement exploration and technical expertise. When not performing, Eve engages in the arts by teaching and taking dance classes and directing youth theater in the Twin Cities. Eve values the dynamic culture of the dance and arts community in the Twin Cities and highly regards their commitment to increasing visibility and connection. She is eager to immerse herself in the Fargo arts arena and work with students in TA and TTA dance classes this summer at Trollwood!

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Hannah Mae Swanson
Musical Theatre and Show Choir Accompanist

Hannah Mae Swanson is a music director, collaborative pianist, educator, and organist. She is excited to be returning to Trollwood for her seventh year! Hannah will be playing piano for the academy in June and will be teaching two weeks of ArtSpark in July. Hannah is spending part of her summer here in the Fargo-Moorhead area but is based in Fort Collins, CO, where she works as faculty at Colorado State University. Hannah music directs and does collaborative piano work for the theatre area at Colorado State, teaches piano lessons privately, and serves on the Bemidji MusiCamp board of directors. Hannah has a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Hannah splits her time between her adventures in the realms of music and theatre and spending quality time with her cat Cosmos. To learn more, explore Hannah’s website, hannahmaeswanson.com.

Clothing for Totally Trollwood Academy:

Clothes should be comfortable and movable.  Athletic wear works great!
Tops –Tank top, t-shirt, sweatshirt
Bottoms – Sweatpants, long shorts, leggings
Footwear – Appropriate shoes for the class:
Dance:  Ballet, jazz, or clean tennis shoes. Tap shoes if you are taking that section.
(If you need help acquiring dance shoes, please contact Student Services)
Acting, Improv, Musical Theatre, Other:  Clean tennis shoe.  NO sandals or flip-flops.

Standards & Benchmarks

TOTALLY TROLLWOOD ACADEMY – Grades 5-7

Totally Trollwood Academy exposes students to the performing arts in three curricular areas: Vocal Music, Drama, and Dance.  The applicable standards and benchmarks for this program are listed below.  Not all standards and benchmarks will be addressed in the four week session, but a significant number of them will be represented.

MUSIC

Standard 1: Singing
Students sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

6-8.1.1. Sing accurately and with good breath control throughout their singing ranges, alone and in small and large groups.
6-8.1.2. Sing with expression and technical accuracy a varied repertoire of vocal literature.
6-8.1.3. Sing music representing diverse genres and cultures.
6-8.1.4. Sing music written in two and three parts.

Standard 2: Instrumental Performance
Students perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

*This standard is not applicable in Totally Trollwood Acacemy.

Standard 3: Improvisation
Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

6-8.3.1. Improvise simple harmonic accompaniments.
6-8.3.2. Improvise melodic embellishments and simple rhythmic variations on given pentatonic melodies in major keys.
6-8.3.3. Improvise short melodies, unaccompanied, over given rhythmic accompaniments.

Standard 4: Composition
Students compose and arrange music within specified guidelines.

*This standard is not applicable in Totally Trollwood Academy.

Standard 5: Reading Music
Students read and notate music.

6-8.5.1. Read complex rhythms in simple and compound meters.
6-8.5.2. Sight-read simple melodies in both the treble and bass clefs.
6-8.5.3. Know standard notation symbols.

Standard 6: Listening
Students listen to, analyze, and describe music.

6-8.6.1. Understand appropriate terminology to describe specific music events.
6-8.6.2. Know the uses of the elements of music in the analysis of compositions representing diverse genres and cultures.

Standard 7: Evaluating Music
Students evaluate music and music performances.

6-8.7.1. Know how to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of music and music performances.
6-8.7.2. Know how to apply specific criteria when offering constructive suggestions for improving the performance of self and others.

Standard 8: Music and Other Disciplines
Students understand the relationship between music, the other arts, and other disciplines.

6-8.8.1. Know how relationships expressed through music can be expressed differently through other art forms.
6-8.8.2. Know how principles and concepts of other disciplines are related to those of music.

Standard 9: Music, History, and Culture
Students understand music in relation to history and culture.

6-8.9.1. Know the characteristics of music genres and styles from a variety of music cultures.
6-8.9.2. Know exemplary musical works from a variety of genres and styles.
6-8.9.3. Know the functions of music, the roles of musicians, and the conditions of performance in several cultures of the world.

DRAMA

Standard 1: Dramatic Literature
Students comprehend a wide variety of dramatic literature.

6-8.1.1. Know a variety of significant works from various major playwrights.
6-8.1.2. Know themes of dramatic literature.
6-8.1.3. Understand the construction elements of dialogue and actions.
6-8.1.4. Understand elements of improvised and scripted scenes.

Standard 2: Acting
Students will engage in fundamental acting skills.

6-8.2.1.Know resource elements that help to create character motivations.
6-8.2.2. Develop a character’s behavior through a combination of movement, vocal pitch, and tone.
6-8.2.3. Interact in an ensemble.

Standard 3: Production
Students use fundamental production skills.

6-8.3.1. Know the technical elements of a scene or play.
6-8.3.2. Know publicity and house management duties.

Standard 4: Cultural Context of Drama
Students will understand the drama’s role in cultural and human experiences.

6-8.4.1. Know the historical, social, and cultural factors that influence theatre.
6-8.4.2. Know aspects of dramatic genres from a variety of cultures.

Standard 5: Consumer of Theatre
Students will understand how to be knowledgeable consumers of theatre.

6-8.5.1. Use appropriate audience behaviors.
6-8.5.2. Prepare for selected theatrical events.
6-8.5.3. Use knowledge of production elements to respond to a theatrical event.

Standard 6: Drama and Human Development
Students understand the role of theatre in human development.

6-8.6.1. Use drama to develop creative thinking skills.
6-8.6.2. Use drama to develop critical thinking skills.
6-8.6.3. Use drama to develop social skills.

Standard 7: Drama and Other Disciplines
Students understand the connections between drama and other disciplines.

6-8.7.1. Know the relationship of the other fine arts to drama.
6-8.7.2. Know how concepts expressed through drama can be expressed differently through other art disciplines.
6-8.7.3. Know the relationship of other disciplines outside of the arts to drama.

DANCE

Standard 1: Movement Skills
Students understand the role of movement elements and skills in dance.

6-8.1.1. Understand the characteristics of various dance movements and the underlying principles common to all movement.
6-8.1.2. Know basic dance steps, body positions, and spatial patterns for dances from various styles or traditions.
6-8.1.3. Understand the process of transferring a spatial pattern from the visual to the kinesthetic.
6-8.1.4. Understand the process of transferring a rhythmic pattern from auditory to kinesthetic.
6-8.1.5. Know a range of dynamics/movement qualities.
6-8.1.6. Use kinesthetic awareness, concentration, and focus in performing movement skills.
6-8.1.7. Use dance vocabulary to describe the action and movement elements in a dance.

Standard 2: Choreography
Students understand choreographic principles, processes, and structures.

6-8.2.1. Understand the relationship of principles of creative design to dance.
6-8.2.2. Understand the significance of the processes of reordering and chance.
6-8.2.3. Understand the importance of dance structures or forms.
6-8.2.4. Understand the importance of working cooperatively in a small group during the choreographic process.
6-8.2.5. Know partner dance skills.
6-8.2.6. Know performance etiquette and stage terms.

Standard 3: Dance and Meaning
Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.

6-8.3.1. Understand the difference between pantomiming and miming.
6-8.3.2. Understand how different accompaniments can affect the meaning of dance.
6-8.3.3. Communicate feelings, ideas, and needs through dance.

Standard 4: Dance and Thinking Skills
Students apply critical and creative thinking skills in dance.

6-8.4.1. Solve movement problems.
6-8.4.2. Know the critical elements that contribute to a dance in terms of space, time, and force.
6-8.4.3. Know the possible aesthetic criteria for evaluating dance.

Standard 5: Dance, History, and Culture
Students understand the historical development of dance and its relationship to various cultures.

6-8.5.1. Know the similarities and differences in steps and movement styles from various cultures.
6-8.5.2. Know social and theatrical dances from a broad spectrum of 20th Century America.
6-8.5.3. Know the role of dance in various cultures and time periods.
6-8.5.4. Know the appropriate audience response to dance performances.

Standard 6: Dance and Personal Wellness
Students understand the connection between dance and personal wellness.

6-8.6.1. Know strategies to prevent dance injuries.
6-8.6.2. Understand the value of personal health goals for dance improvement.

Standard 7: Dance and Other Disciplines
Students understand the difference between dance and other disciplines.

6-8.7.1. Know how various dance concepts and principles relate to other disciplines.
6-8.7.2. Know the aesthetic impact of performance.