At CATS Academy Boston, we have a vibrant Visual and Performing Arts Department. Our faculty members are exceptional educators with solid, real-world professional performance, creative, and artmaking backgrounds.
Introduction to Drawing is a studio course that introduces students to the comprehensive visual language of drawing. Various projects and presentations expose students to numerous drawing approaches, including ways of structuring the picture plane, creating believable space with linear perspective, and modelling form with shading. Students apply these skills to idea generation, form development, experimental variations on a design, investigative studies of creative problem solving, and expressions of movement and spatial illusion. Students will learn and practice the vocabulary and terminology of the medium.
The purpose of this course is for students to explore, experiment, and become familiar with the medium of paint. They build skills of observation through painting from observation, and learn to create form, volume, space, and materiality of objects through paint. Students build an understanding of the properties of color, composition, mark-making, and perspective. They develop an understanding of basic art and design terminology and use the vocabulary to express visual ideas and concepts.
The purpose of this course is to explore, experiment, and become familiar with the various methods of process available within the framework of painting and its related practices and achieve a level of mastery of techniques. Students will explore the possibilities of mark making, shape arrangement, patterns, layers, and composition to build imagery and portray space, form, representation, and abstraction. They will further explore, practice, and discuss the vocabulary related to the expression of visual ideas and concepts.
To take this course, students must have completed Introduction to Painting, or have obtained the permission of Instructor.
The purpose of this course is to explore, experiment and become familiar with the various methods of printmaking. In this survey course, students learn a variety of print methods, including monotype, collagraph, linocut relief, screen-printing, and etching. Students will explore the possibilities of each method and experiment with combining two or more methods. Students will gain a well-rounded understanding of the most popular methods of making prints, and develop a vocabulary of the terminology of the medium.
The purpose of this course is to explore, experiment, and become familiar with the various methods and materials available within the framework of sculpture and its related practices. Students will explore the possibilities of varied materials, and experiment with combining materials in a single sculpture. They will learn to consider all aspects of a sculptural object; the view from all sides, materials used, quality of craftsmanship, and conceptual context. Students will learn to express their ideas with the vocabulary and terminology of the medium.
The purpose of this course that teaches students to express themselves through creativity and design of apparel. Through studio assignments, practice, application of design concepts and informed decision-making, students assemble a body of work that demonstrates a high level of quality and improvement. Students develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution. All students enrolled in Introduction to Fashion will have the opportunity to work in depth within the media of drawing, sewing, and garment construction. This course is designed to aid students with learning how to be confident in their work, decision making skills, and artistic abilities.
The purpose of this course is to teach students about the theatrical costume design industry. They will practice how light, sound, and production can influence design. Through studio assignments, practice, application of design and theater concepts, collaborations, and informed decision making, students will assemble a body of costumes and other clothing items that demonstrates a high level of quality and growth in content, technique, and process. All students enrolled in Introduction to Costume Design will have the opportunity to work in depth within the media of drawing, sewing, theater research, and garment construction. Final projects will be showcased in the spring musical production for the school community to see and enjoy.
This class explores commercial illustration methods and emphasizes creating a visual narrative through the depiction of expression, figures in action, and the illusion of space in an effort to evoke the viewer’s emotions. Media used in this class include pen and ink, colored pencils, watercolor paint, and marker. Lessons in figure drawing, perspective, composition, and color theory will covered in class.
To take this course, students should posses basic drawing and painting skills.
This course is an introduction to creating comics. Students learn effective visual storytelling techniques, how to compose a comic page, and how to create a visually entertaining story. Traditional materials such as pencil and ink are used to develop comic illustrations. Students work from assigned scripts and write and draw their own five-page comic. Creative writing, composition, anatomy, and fine art drawing skills are developed as students explore the art of creating comics.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing the human figure through observation and practice. Students will explore proportion, gesture, anatomy, line, form, and movement while developing their ability to capture the structure and character of the figure. Students will also learn how clothing fits, moves, drapes, and creases. The goal of this course is to give students the tools they need to confidently draw the human figure for illustration, comic, painting, and/or fashion.
To take this course, students should obtain the Instructor’s approval.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to elements of graphic design. Students utilize computer programs from the Adobe Creative Cloud such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Class projects include poster design, photo manipulation, logo design, and creating a business identity. Students learn valuable skills in color, composition, and typography and the importance these have on creating eye-catching design.
The purpose of this course is for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the art of acting through a study of improvisation, textual analysis, character analysis, active listening, and games. Students will learn the fundamentals of acting through improv games and performing a contemporary piece of theater using acting skills practiced in class.
The purpose of this course is to expand students’ understanding and appreciation of the art of cinema through a study of cinematography, composition, editing, sound, special effects, film genre, screenwriting, acting, and directing. In this class we will view, analyze, and discuss a number of films that represent the highest achievement of the art form.
The purpose of this course is for students to learn fundamental dance techniques, discover styles of dance, and experience performing as an ensemble for an audience of teachers and peers. Students will focus on the fundamentals of three different dance styles: Ballet, Jazz, and Creative Dance. Students will learn foundational techniques, refine their work, and present their work in a show open to the school community.
Piano provides students with training in basic piano technique, musical notation, and music appreciation. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore repertoire from different cultures and historical periods as they learn the basics of note reading and performance techniques. A command of the basic elements of music is developed through exercises in performance, composing and arranging. Students need no prior experience playing the piano to enroll in Piano.
Guitar provides students with training in basic guitar technique, music theory, musical notation, and music appreciation. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore repertoire from different cultures and historical periods as they learn the basics of note reading, guitar tablature, and performance techniques. A command of the basic elements of music is developed through exercises in performance, composing and arranging. Students need no prior experience playing the guitar to enroll in Guitar.
Music Technology and Production is designed to allow students to explore audio design, music composition, audio manipulation, and music production. Students will be able to express their creativity and gain a deeper understanding of music through the use of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), notation software, and various other applications. Students will develop the skills to create and edit audio projects and produce musical compositions using current technology.
To take this course, students are required to have achieved ESL Level 3 or higher.
The Performance Ensemble will consist of learning and performing pieces of contemporary music in an ensemble setting. Students are expected to have a certain level of instrumental or vocal proficiency to join the class. Rhythm section roles as well as improvisation will be explored. Recreation of existing music will serve as a basis for developing further musical vocabulary. Music will be taught in a variety of ways including notation, tablature, ear training, and developmental exercises.
To take this course, students must complete an Instrumental Audition and obtain Instructor approval.
Percussion Lab is a course designed to afford students an opportunity to engage in experiential learning using various percussion and rhythmic instruments. Percussion instruments utilized will be drums (djembe, Surdo, Timbale, Drum set) handheld percussion (tambourines, tar, shakers, claves, guiro etc.) and in certain cases bass, guitar, piano and voice. Ensemble playing, rhythmic accuracy, listening skills, and improvisational techniques will be explored. This class will focus on expanding students’ musical abilities, cultural awareness, and rhythmic vocabulary through individual learning and group music making experiences. The percussion techniques of various cultures will be explored though traditional rhythms and ensemble playing, as well as though emulation of modern and popular styles.
For those students who are members of the CSVPA Arts Academy, there are exclusive electives that they can choose to take part in:
Through studio assignments, practice, application of design concepts, and informed decision-making, students assemble a body of artwork that demonstrates a high level of quality and growth over time of content, technique, and process. Students develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution. All students enrolled in this section of CSVPA Studio Art will have the opportunity to work in depth within the media of painting and drawing. This course is designed to aid students with preparing a high-quality portfolio for submission to art schools or university.
To take the course, students must submit their existing portfolio for review and receive Instructor approval.
In Advanced Fashion, students learn to express themselves through the development of a cohesive fashion collection. Through studio assignments, practice, application of design concepts, and informed decision-making, students assemble a body of work that demonstrates a high level of quality and growth over time of content, technique, and process. Students develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution. All students enrolled in CSVPA Advanced Fashion will have present their collection to the school community in a fashion show at year’s end. In addition, students will develop portfolios for college applications and industry experience.
To take this course, students should have completed Introduction to Fashion and/or received Instructor approval.
The purpose of this course is to expand student’s understanding and appreciation of the art of acting through study of advanced improvisation, textual analysis, character analysis, the Miesner technique, the Hagen technique, and the Stanislavsky system!
This class will focus on emotional realism, with a significant emphasis on truthfulness in performance. Students will be asked to apply that core truthfulness to a variety of contexts that the contemporary working actor contends with. This course will ask students to continue to make the transition away from reliance on the classroom context to prepare their scenes and monologues, further developing the skill set and autonomy necessary to become professional actors.
To take this course, students have completed Intro to Acting, or audition and permission of Instructor.
*Please note, course offerings are subject to change and will be offered depending on student interest.
