By Carol Jaffee Pribble
The Drama Class
A Practical Guide for Theatre Students
Written by a veteran director of high school plays, The Drama Class is a practical guide to high school theatre that combines a common-sense approach to learning acting for the high school actor with advanced insights into teaching acting for directors and drama teachers at the beginning of their careers. In chapters entitled “Talent Isn’t Enough,” “Improvisation,” “Scene Study,” “Auditioning,” “The School Play,” and “A Brief Summary of the History of Theatre,” The Drama Class covers it all and is a perfect gift for the young actor in the family or for anyone involved in high school theatre.
About The Author
Carol Jaffee Pribble
Carol Jaffee Pribble is the Director of Theatre at University School, an all boys’ independent day school in Cleveland, Ohio. During her 35-year career at the school, she has become a legend for creating one of the top high school theatre programs in the area. Countless alumni have gone on to professional acting careers in theatre, television, and film as well as careers in screenwriting, editing, producing, and directing.
Ms. Pribble has directed over 90 productions at University School since she joined the faculty in 1984, where she also teaches acting. Prior to coming to University School, she taught and directed at Shaw High School and Twinsburg High School, and for eleven seasons she also directed at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio (or more accurately at the Youngstown Playhouse!), Ms. Pribble earned her bachelor of Science degree in acting from Emerson College.
She and her husband, Jim, live in Newbury, Ohio. They have a son, Jason, and two grandchildren, Addy and Austin.
As a young actor, Carol Pribble (CP), gave me all of the tools that I needed to become a professional Broadway performer. Her direct, no-nonsense approach is incredibly effective and is what I still lean on to this day. She is without a doubt the teacher that has had the greatest impact on my career, and on my life.
– Michael Seelbach
Excerpts
Highlights From the Book
Improvisation – Preparing For Scene Work
Because improvisation is so frequently used in scene study, before we begin with any scripted works, I would like you to explore with me the many uses and benefits of studying and becoming comfortable with improvisation.
Using the techniques laid out in The Drama Class, students will develop what can become the working habits of a professional career in acting. Students will learn how to read a play, to make active choices, to take direction, how to play their part in the larger story being told, and perhaps most importantly, how an actor should go about his or her work as one piece of an ensemble. Carol's insight, humor, patience and standards will lay the foundation for the work they will do in the future.