Trollwood Academy

TROLLWOOD ACADEMY
Grades 8-12

(all grades refer to 2021-2022 school year)

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

Broadway Balanced
Physical and emotional health are crucial for all performers!  This class will focus on the whole performer and cover such areas and yoga, healthy eating, meditation, stress management, and more!  This is a great class to help make sure you are healthy and strong, enabling you to utilize all of your performing skills.

Musical Theatre – Pop Vocals
Love those pop/rock musicals? Learn the techniques needed to hit just the right note and have your vocals soar! Use dynamics, emphasis, and inflection for just the right tone and find increased confidence as a performer.

Intermediate Acting – Scene Study
For actors who already have a solid foundation in performance, intermediate acting refines and strengthens technique.  Dig deeper into character motivation, subtext, and more to fully shape your performance and really bring your characters to life!

Film Studies
Love watching movies?  Want to better understand what makes them so incredible?  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.

Mainstage Musical Tech Theatre Experience – Set, Paint, Props
High school students interested in the using their talents to create the beautiful set & props, should sign up for this Trollwood Academy class entitled: Mainstage Musical Tech Theatre Experience:  Set/Paint/Props.  Be a part of bringing the Mainstage Musical to life!

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

Dance Improv & Choreography

This class helps build an understanding of creating meaning in dance. Students will be challenged to use skills learned in technique class to create their own choreography.  Dancers will focus on becoming more expressive in their movements. The class will explore dance improvisation games, compositional exercises and dance technique.

Show Choir
Can’t get enough singing and dancing?  Show Choir is designed for the more advanced singer and stage performer. Students will study and perform music from pop, rock and Broadway genres. Additionally, stage movement, more advanced choreography, and stage presence will be incorporated. Students will perform as an ensemble for Sun Celebration.

Intermediate/Advanced Improv
Improvisers will begin to experiment with longer, more complicated handles (games with particular structures and rules) leading to long form improvisation.  Building on the principles introduced and mastered in Beginning Improvisation, students will begin to enhance relationships, status, and plot and perform longer open scenes.  Class participants will be given greater theatrical problems to solve alone and in groups.  More attention will be given to working interactively with audiences, analyzing the effectiveness of scenes, listening, and taking time to build a story.

Conservatory – Musical Theatre (weeks 3 & 4 – sign up for periods 2 & 3)
For our most advanced musical theatre student, this program will enhance your triple threat skills. Learn from professionals in the industry to build your musical theatre acting, dance, and vocal technique. In collaboration with fellow artists, combine your skills to create show-stopping numbers that will wow any audience!

Mainstage Musical Tech Theatre Experience – Set, Paint, Props
High school students interested in the using their talents to create the beautiful set & props, should sign up for this Trollwood Academy class entitled: Mainstage Musical Tech Theatre Experience:  Set/Paint/Props.  Be a part of bringing the Mainstage Musical to life!

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

Dance for Stage
Embrace your inner Broadway star!  Improve your dance skills while enjoying classic and contemporary musical theatre tunes.  Strengthen your dance memory while learning various combinations to your favorite shows!

Musical Theatre Vocal – Scene into Song

Combine your growing acting and vocal chops in this intermediate scene into song class.  Start with a snippet of a scene to set the tone and then break into song in true musical theatre style.  This class will help you learn to “act the song” a crucial component of the art of musical theatre.

Sketch Comedy
If you enjoy classic comedy, witty satire, or just a good joke, sketch comedy would be great fun for you. Learn how to develop a formula for jokes and scene structure while collaborating with a team. Write and rehearse your ideas and watch your comedy come to life! We’ll cover the basics to get you started, help you develop your ideas, and teach you what you need to complete your sketch and have your audience rolling in the aisles!

Conservatory – Musical Theatre (weeks 3 & 4 – sign up for periods 2 & 3)
For our most advanced musical theatre student, this program will enhance your triple threat skills. Learn from professionals in the industry to build your musical theatre acting, dance, and vocal technique. In collaboration with fellow artists, combine your skills to create show-stopping numbers that will wow any audience!

Period 4 (2:30pm-4:00pm):

Tap Dance
A class that focuses on more advanced levels of tap dancing. The course continues to build skills and confidence in tap steps, foot patterns and tap improvisation. For the more experienced tapper, the class will build upon the fundamentals, focusing on increased levels of difficulty and cleaner sound.

On Camera Acting & Auditioning
Gain acting skills and confidence in front of the camera, whether for film, television, or social media.  This class gives actors the chance to learn and practice screen acting techniques in a safe and supportive environment.  All actors will get the experience of working in front of a camera, as well as learn tips such as how to “hit your mark”, pace your performance, work within the framing of close-ups or wides and more.  Students will get the opportunity to act in Moviemaking class short films as a part of their final projects.  Lights. Camera. Action!

Build Your Audition Book – Voice
Be ready for your next vocal audition and beyond with this essential vocal class. Work on varied repertoire from classic to contemporary, pop to legit as you build your collection of vocal audition cuts.  Learn about varying vocal styles, how to choose the best cut of your song, how to prepare your music, and how to work with an accompanist.  Learn the techniques and tools needed to be ready for any vocal audition that comes your way!

Moviemaking
For those that are interested in stepping up their moviemaking game, this class will delve further into how to write, produce, direct and edit your own 10-15 minute narrative project.  Whether you’re looking to recreate a scene from your favorite movie, make a music video or create your own short film, this class will give you the tools you need to push your filmmaking skills to the next level by learning to use more sophisticated editing software, as well as analyzing clips from big budget Hollywood movies and more!

Beginning Improv
Say yes!  Students will learn the basic tenets of improvisation such as saying “yes, and…,” supporting their fellow improvisers, making choices that move the story forward, and committing to the reality of the scene.  There are no mistakes in this class, only opportunities, laughter, and play!

TROLLWOOD ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS

LORI CLINE
Trollwood Academy Accompanist

Lori has been the staff accompanist for Moorhead High School choir, band, and orchestra programs since 2009. She has enjoyed working as an occasional accompanist at Concordia and NDSU and is also a church musician. During the pandemic, Lori expanded her audio & video editing skills to produce virtual choir and band videos and concerts.

Katie Damico
MT Pop Vocals, Show Choir, MT Scene into Song
& Build Your Audition Book – Voice

Katie (Forsberg) Damico is currently an Elementary Music Specialist at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary (Moorhead Public Schools).  Previously she was an elementary music and middle school choir director at Dilworth Glyndon Felton Public Schools. During her eighteen years as a music educator, Ms. Damico has directed for the Lake Agassiz Girls’ Choir, given private piano and voice instruction, served as the Festival Choir director, served as a Sunday school music director, sang in the worship team at Peace Lutheran Church, and is currently a middle and high school choir director at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND

Scott McClure
Film Studies, Sketch Comedy & Movie Making

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 as an instructor.

Maximus Nielsen
Beginning Improv

Maximus Nielsen is the Creative Dramatics teacher at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo, ND. Maximus graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Maximus performed in multiple community and professional productions in Denver, CO. He is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He spent the rest of his time in Colorado as an actor with Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre program. Maximus found his passion in working with youth during this experience and went on to receive his Master’s degree in secondary education. Maximus is excited to be back for his second year at Trollwood and work with amazing students this summer!

Matthew Pitner
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Improv
& On-Camera Acting and Auditioning

Matthew Pitner (he/him/his) is a Los Angeles-based actor, improvisor, director, and producer. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on acting and directing. Since 2006 he has been the Artistic Director of The Bearded Company, an improvisation company that focuses on the development of story-focused improvised plays. During his time as Co-Artistic Director, the company has been officially selected to attend over 35 National & International Festivals. Before relocating to Los Angeles Matthew worked for Huge Improv Theater, a non-profit theatre company based in Uptown Minneapolis. There he worked as an improvisor and teacher and loved being part of the Twin Cities Improv Community. After moving to Los Angeles Matthew began working for Impro Theatre, a non-profit Theatre Company that focuses on improvising the works of famous writers and playwrights. During his time with Impro and in his position as Studio Manager, Matthew worked diligently over 5 years to grow the student body and develop Impro’s community into a thriving hub for actors and improvisers. In addition to his work as Studio Manager, Matthew was one of the founding members of Winterfest, An International Genre & Narrative Improv Festival for the past 5 years. Matthew is currently working as Co-Artistic Director of Outside In Theatre, which is scheduled to open its brand new space in Highland Park, CA the middle of 2023 of next year. Matthew is very honored and excited to be teaching at Trollwood this summer.

David Triptow
Broadway Balanced, Dance Improv and Choreography
& Dance for Stage

Born and raised in the Midwest, David Triptow is a movement artist, instructor, choreographer, and yoga teacher.  His career has given him the opportunity to travel, perform, and choreograph around the United States and Canada. In 2019, David traveled on the road as the Dance Captain in the North American tour of PJ Masks Live! In 2020, David partnered with ChamberSixMedia and Rethink Dance to choreograph a short dance film entitled Wake, which has been accepted into film festivals across the country. David contributes his love and passion for the arts from his time as a student at Trollwood Performing Arts School, and to this day, practices curiosity and a life-long learner mindset. He strives to ignite the same attributes in his students.

Clothing for 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 or Musical Theatre:  Clean tennis shoe.  NO sandals or flip-flops.

Please dress in layers as it can be colder in the mornings and hotter in the afternoons!

TROLLWOOD ACADEMY

Completed grade 8 through 2020 or 2021 graduated seniors
(all grades refer to 2020-2021 school year)

Trollwood Academy exposes students to the performing arts in several curricular areas.  The applicable standards and benchmarks for this program are listed below.  Not all standards and benchmarks will be addressed in each 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.

9-12.1.1. Sing with expression and technical accuracy.
9-12.1.2. Sing music written in four or more parts, with and without accompaniment.
9-12.1.3. Sing in small ensembles with one student per part.

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

*This standard is not applicable in Trollwood Academy.

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

9-12.3.1. Improvise stylistically appropriate harmonizing parts.
9-12.3.2. Improvise rhythmic and melodic variations.
9-12.3.3. Improvise original melodies over given chord progressions.

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

9-12.4.1. Compose music in several distinct styles.
9-12.4.2. Arrange pieces for voices or instruments other than those for which the pieces were written in ways that preserve or enhance the expressive effect of the music.

Standard 5: Reading Music
Students read and notate music.

9-12.5.1. Know how to read a score of up to four staves.

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

9-12.6.1. Know the uses of the elements of music in the analysis of compositions representing diverse genres and cultures.
9-12.6.2. Understand technical vocabulary of music.

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

9-12.7.1. Develop specific criteria for making informed, critical evaluations of the quality and effectiveness of performances, compositions, arrangements, and improvisations.
9-12.7.2. Evaluate a given musical work in terms of its aesthetic qualities.

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

9-12.8.1. Know how artistic elements and processes are used in similar and distinctive ways in the various arts.
9-12.8.2. Understand the ways in which the principles and concepts of various disciplines outside the arts are related to those of music.

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

9-12.9.1. Know representative examples of music from a variety of cultures and historical periods.
9-12.9.2. Know sources of American music, the evolution of these genres, and musicians associated with them.
9-12.9.3. Know various roles that musicians perform and representative individuals who have functioned in each role.

DRAMA

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

9-12.1.1. Know elements of dramatic literature.
9-12.1.2. Know and describe the elements of scripting.
9-12.1.3. Understand the impact of choice of medium.

Standard 2: Acting
Students use fundamental acting skills.

9-12.2.1.Understand the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of characters found in dramatic texts from various genres and media.
9-12.2.2. Know various classical and contemporary acting techniques and methods.
9-12.2.3. Know how characters as an ensemble communicate with audiences.

Standard 3: Production
Students use fundamental production skills.

9-12.3.1. Use technical elements to design a production plan for a scene or play.
9-12.3.2. Perform publicly and house management duties.
9-12.3.3. Manage a technical element of a scene or play.

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

9-12.4.1. Know the historical, social, and cultural factors that influence the theatre.
9-12.4.2. Know characteristics of dramatic genres from a variety of cultures.

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

9-12.5.1. Understand the relationship between production elements and the director’s interpretation of the playwright’s script.
9-12.5.2. Understand the relationship of background research for a production to the audience’s comprehension and enjoyment of the production.

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

9-12.6.1. Use Understand how drama influences the development of creative thinking skills, critical thinking skills, and social skills throughout one’s life.

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

9-12.7.1. Know how elements of drama are used in similar and distinctive ways in various arts.
9-12.7.2. Know the ways in which drama influences other disciplines.
9-12.7.3. Know the ways in which other disciplines influence drama.

DANCE

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

9-12.1.1. Use appropriate technique in dance.
9-12.1.2. Know complex steps and patterns from various dance styles and traditions.
9-12.1.3. Understand the importance of using various complex time elements.
9-12.1.4. Understand the principles governing combinations and variations in a broad dynamic range.
9-12.1.5. Understand why it is important to project in dance.

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

9-12.2.1. Understand the importance of structures and forms of movement.
9-12.2.2. Understand the use of improvisation to generate movement.

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

9-12.3.1. Understand how movement choices are used to relate abstract ideas and themes in dance.
9-12.3.2. Understand how interpretation of dance can be influenced by personal experience.

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

9-12.4.1. Establish a set of aesthetic criteria for evaluation.
9-12.4.2. Formulate and answer aesthetic questions.

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

9-12.5.1. Know the similarities and differences among various contemporary theatrical forms of dance.
9-12.5.2. Know dance pioneers as an index to the artistic and social values of civilization.
9-12.5.3. Understand how dance and dancers are portrayed in contemporary media.
9-12.5.4. Know the traditions and techniques of classical dance forms.

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

9-12.6.1. Know how lifestyle choices affect dancers.
9-12.6.2. Understand the significance of historical and cultural images of the body in dance.

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

9-12.7.1. Know how dance is similar to and different from other disciplines.
9-12.7.2. Know how technology can be used to reinforce, enhance, or alter dances.

VISUAL ARTS

Standard 1: Media, Techniques, and Processes
Students understand and apply media, techniques, and processes.

9-12.1.1. Use visual art media, techniques, and processes to accomplish a purpose in their own works of art.
9-12.1.2. Understand how to create works of visual art that communicate an idea in one or more visual art media.
9-12.1.3. Use visual art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner.

Standard 2: Structure and Function
Students understand how works of art are structured and how visual art has a variety of functions.

9-12.2.1. Understand how the visual art structures and functions are used to accomplish personal, commercial, societal, or other art intentions.
9-12.2.2. Analyze and understand visual art organizational structures and what makes them effective or ineffective in the communication of ideas.

Standard 3: Subject Matter, Themes, Symbols, and Ideas in Visual Art
Students know a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas.

9-12.3.1. Understand how to interpret, integrate, and apply subjects, themes, symbols, and ideas in works of art.

Standard 4: Visual Art, History, and Culture
Students understand the visual arts in relation to history and culture.

9-12.4.1. Understand works of art among a variety of historical and cultural contexts in terms of characteristics, functions, and purposes of visual art.
9-12.4.2. Understand relationships among works of art in terms of history, aesthetics, and cultures.

Standard 5: Merits of Visual Art
Students understand the characteristics and merit of one’s own works of art and the visual artwork of others.

9-12.5.1. Understand various intentions of those creating works of art.
9-12.5.2. Understand how works of art are created and their relationships to historical and cultural contexts.
9-12.5.3. Understand how one’s own work of art has purpose and meaning.

Standard 6: Connections
Students make connections between the visual arts and other disciplines.

9-12.6.1. Understand and compare the similarities between the visual arts and the other arts disciplines (performing arts, literature, practical arts) that show common themes, historical periods, and cultural context.
9-12.6.2. Understand and compare the relationship between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum.