THEATRE ARTS I      Expectation, Requirements, and Syllabus

 

 

     Theatre Arts I is an overview of the process of theatre.  It incorporates a variety of goals, some of which are clear and easy to master; others may not be so easily defined and may take a period of time to begin to grasp.  The focus then is on the process (rehearsal, etc.), although the end product is also important (performance).  Assignments are participation-based and involve the development of specific skills.  These assignments involve hands-on activities, but reading, writing, and problem solving, and developing research skills are also key components of the class.

     Students in Theatre Arts I will experience and participate in a variety of applications of theatre.  There will be homework in the forms of projects, reading, memorization, study for tests, and research.  Many of these homework assignments will be carried out over a period of time, so the immediate or daily workload may not be time consuming. Projects involve the study of theatre history and related projects, terminology, and the development of skills in pantomime, improvisation, scene work, and productions.  Emphasis will be placed on developing control of both voice and body.

     Most assignments involving any movement or acting in general will be preceded daily by a variety of warm-ups.  These will be separate from the activity but may be designed to complement the primary lesson for the day.  Warm-ups will be graded over the course of specific assignments, weekly, or daily.

Lessons are tied into the NC Theatre Standards from the NC State Course of Study.  To access those standards, click on the following link:  List of Theatre Standards from State Course of Study

Expectations

     Before and after many of the activities, there will be a circle time for planning and discussion/reflection.  A similar time will be spent before the activity as well in preparation for an assignment.  This format will be the basis for many lessons in the class.

     During class activities, students are expected to move through activities in an orderly fashion.  Rules regarding communication during circle time will be explained in the circle as well as rules regarding movement throughout the auditorium/classroom.

Due to the nature of assignments in the class, students are expected to exhibit the following behaviors:

1. No talking or moving when other students are performing an assignment.
2. Students are expected to show positive support of each other in class and offer constructive criticism at appropriate times.
3. Students will keep personal problems out of class period.
4. Students are expected to refrain from taking outside the class, any negative     comments about a student’s performance or subsequent discussion.
5. Although many of the activities are play-oriented, each activity has a goal or objective behind it that students are expected to master.
6. No gum, food, or drink will be allowed in the classroom or auditorium—only bottled water.
7. Learn to respect what is not yours. If it is not yours, don’t touch it.

 

8. Students will be expected to begin class daily with a listed journal entry. If class

begins in the theatre or when the class moves into the theatre, students will be expected to begin warm-ups immediately and without conversation.

 

     Students will be expected to participate in performances within this class.  If this involves a scripted play, this may mean a degree of memorization as well.  Since some performances may be outside of the classroom, being present at those performances is a requirement.  If additional rehearsals outside of the normal school day have to be scheduled; advance notice will be given so schedules can be adjusted, but those practices will also be required.  Rehearsals and performances are gradable components of the class.

     In addition, students are required to see at least two performances during the semester, one a theatre production and one a dance production from the Performing Arts Academy.  Accommodations can be made if finances are a problem in seeing shows.  Students may be able to attend dress rehearsals, work a production (tech, ushering, etc.), or bring a paying customer with you to the show.  In addition, you may be able to meet this requirement by participating in trips and activities scheduled by the Performing Arts Academy.  Students may also earn credit for seeing other productions offered by the Blumenthal, various Charlotte theatre groups, and by other high school and college productions.  If in doubt if a production qualifies, ask in advance of the theatrical event.  Students will submit a written critique of each performance they attend. A grade will be assigned for attending the performances to be given out the third six weeks.

     Students are expected to maintain a notebook in class.  There are various assignments that will be kept in this notebook as well as handouts, class notes, and journals.  The notebook will be graded on a periodic basis, and information will be given out before grading time so that students know what should be in the notebook.

     A variety of projects will be assigned during the semester.  You will receive specific guidelines for those projects then necessary.

     Students should dress in comfortable clothes and shoes or should bring such clothes to change into when we are having class in the theatre.  Many of the activities require sitting on the stage and participation in a variety of exercises for which some street clothes would be inappropriate.  You should be able to move comfortably in those clothes and avoid any clothes that could be revealing when bending over, sitting on the floor, or going through any variety of types of movement, etc.

     Theatre Arts students may possibly also earn credit through participation in our annual play festival sponsored by the North Carolina Theatre Conference.  Participation will occur in at least two of three ways:  as an actor in an onstage performance, as a member of a stage crew, or as an audience member.  We will participate in play festival this year on Oct. 27/28 at Catawba College and if we advance, we will take part in the State Play Festival at Greensboro College on Nov. 16/17..

 

 

 

 

Dress Code

Classes

All Students are required to dress appropriately for each class they are enrolled in.

Students of acting classes should be prepared to physically move on a daily basis.

*Students will change in the locker room.  A locker may be used in the locker room but clothing needs to be removed daily.  Otherwise, clothes should be brought back into the room before reporting to the theatre.  Students will report to the theatre no later than five minutes after the tardy bell.

*All theatre students need BLACK movement clothes:

            Loose fitting and easy to move in

            Adhering to CATA dress code; however, no tank tops—only t-shirts

            Leggings may be worn but t-shirts must cover the hips

            Solid black—no graphics or designs

            You may work in bare feet or some type of gripper socks

            Long hair must be pulled away from the face

*Technical theatre students must wear closed toe shoes

*Any alterations in this policy on a daily basis will be given at least the day before.  If conditions do not allow such notice, an announcement will be posted on the classroom door.

*Failure to adhere to dress code or to dress out will result in a lower participation score each week.

 

Grading

Students are graded on a variety of areas.  Generally, two types of grades are given: daily and test/project grades.  Daily grades count singly and test/project grades count double.  Similarly, homework assignments generally count as a daily grade.  Some projects may be weighted differently based on the amount of time and effort required to complete the project, for example, a major project that takes a couple of weeks to complete may count two and a half times. Generally, participation each week earns 100 pts. Generally, dressing out each week earns 100 pts. Overall, grading practices include but are not limited to the following:

A variety of theatre rubrics

Tests

Written papers

Journal

Teacher observation of demonstrated skills

Participation in various assignments

Projects

Portfolio

Performance grades (based on a variety of skills including but not limited to the following:)

Quality of work

Focused behavior

            Playing Objectives

            Memorization

            Physical work

            Listening/responding skills

            Demonstration of basic stage skills/techniques          

            Vocal work

 

Students are expected to participate in all assignments, especially in-class assignments.  Non-participation based on lack of interest is not acceptable.  For example, participation in a simple in-class assignment may earn a student a grade of 100, but talking inappropriately, not attempting the assignment, or not following the guidelines of a particular assignment will result in points being deducted from that original 100 points.  Such participation grades may be given daily, weekly, or over the duration of an assignment.  Note: participation grades of this nature are not a reflection upon the ability of the student to master a specific skill which will be graded separately.

 

Students are expected to turn in all assigned work the day it is due.  Students who miss an assignment due to absence (regardless of the reason) are responsible for collecting missed work and for making up the work.  Any work not turned in after due date will be assigned a zero.  Students assigned a zero did not turn in assignment.  If a student misses an assignment due to absence and has not made it up, a “one” will be inserted into Powerschool until it is either made up or given a value of zero.

 

 

 

 

Fall Syllabus

     The following is a tentative schedule of the fall semester.  Some technical theatre will be interspersed throughout the semester as it relates to areas being studied and there may be some cooperative work with the Technical Theatre class.  Some history projects may also be interspersed throughout the semester as well.  History will include a variety of projects and various films as well.  Included in the schedule below will be a variety of activities in which you may be participating.

 

Week 1  Basic theatre/movement

Week 2  Basic theatre/movement/Pantomime

Week 3  Pantomime

Week 4  Pantomime

Week 5 Pantomime Production/improvisation

Week 6  Improvisation/voice

 

October 10 End of 1^st 6 weeks  (Note:  Curriculum currently under evaluation.  Theatre History may be moved to Theatre II course of study.  If so, new schedule will be given out.)

 

Week 7 Greek/Roman History

Week 8 Medieval History

Week 9 Renaissance History

Week 10  Renaissance History/ Improvisation/voice

Week 11 Renaissance History

Week 12 Renaissance History/Shakespeare

 

 Nov. 27  End of 2^nd 6 weeks

 

Week 13 Scenework/ Playwriting

Week 14 Scenework/ Playwriting

Week 15 Scenework/ Performance

Week 16   Performance

Week 17 Tentative Projects

Week 18 Review

 

Jan. 25  End of 3^rd 6 weeks

 

 Resources

 This is a link to “EmpowerED Family Portal” https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917 ) – this provides parents with links to online resources and apps that students can access. 

 

Class textbook--Drama Projects

Various online websites

     NCTC.org

 

Required Class Materials

Notebooks—2”-3” three ring binder and a three-pronged folder into which paper can be inserted—no spiral bound notebook

Loose leaf paper

Pencils/pens—black or blue and a Highlighter; no unusual colors for pens—pink, green, etc.

 

Plastic gallon milk container and other assorted recyclable plastic containers for mask project

 

 We want to make sure we come off as a professional looking and acting troupe in every way—it takes everyone doing their part in order to make that happen!  We want to be a cut above what is normally expected from high school theatre.

 

 

AN ACTOR’S CODE OF CONDUCT

 

• A professional actor recognizes that theatre demands compromise: everyone and everything about the production will not always be to his own personal taste or satisfaction.

 

• A professional actor knows when to keep his mouth shut.

 

• A professional actor never demeans or downgrades another cast or crew member; he recognizes how each person is important to the whole.

 

• A professional actor is never seen in his costume before he is supposed to be seen. Once in costume an actor should not be seen by the audience until the appropriate moment.  He does not wear his costume out of the theatre.

 

• A professional actor takes care of his costume and sees that it is hung up neatly with all its pieces after each rehearsal or performance.

 

• A professional actor recognizes that costume and make-up are elements of character and are the responsibility of the director; these elements are not a personal choices or subjects for the whim of the individual actor.

 

• A professional actor makes sure to check all properties before and replace all properties after each performance.

 

• A professional actor does not whine or complain about the show, the cast, the crew, or any element of the overall production.

 

• A professional actor does nothing that would detract from the show: does not talk or make noise backstage; does not brake character regardless of what happens; does not ever clue the audience that a mistake has been made.

 

• A professional actor behaves himself in a professional manner at all times: his mouth, conduct, and actions will always be above reproach.

 

• A professional actor abides by all sightlines—always being careful not to be seen until the appropriate time.

 

• A professional actor always remembers his responsibilities—both on and off stage. He will remember all props, costume pieces, and set change responsibilities.

 

• A professional actor recognizes that he is “onstage” throughout the entire evening—that people are watching him before, during, and after a performance.

 

• A professional actor recognizes that his actions cast a reflection on the entire troupe and will not risk diminishing the reputation of the ensemble.

 

• A professional actor will always be gracious to other casts and crews and will reserve any critique for the privacy of his own ensemble.