Ms. White 6th Period Phone: (360) 652-4501, ext. 5110 Theater & Room 110 Email: [email protected]
ADVANCED DRAMA SYLLABUS
The Drama Department, including the Drama Club, are growing fast! We now have an Assistant Director for the after-school fall and spring plays. The class is shifting gears to become more professional, as well. Lee Haines, the Stagecraft teacher at Arlington High School will be guiding the class in building the set for A Christmas Carol. We will also be held accountable for ideas for costumes for the 19th Century time period of the play.
Goals and Objectives for First Semester
Actors:
To improve Pantomime and Improvisation skills (tell stories to audiences with these skills) To write critical reviews of rehearsals (as seen in newspapers). To perform advanced scenes from short plays or sections of full-length plays To visit other schools or community theaters to observe actors in class or in rehearsals To act in the Drama Showcase for final grade To memorize lines, build character (study with partners), and to be quizzed on each of these areas throughout the semester To build the set for A Christmas Carol, our holiday play To write a stage design (with assistance from a technical director) for A Christmas Carol To set-up before each practice, clean and organize props and furniture after each practice (put away excess pieces after each practice To BE the stage crew and the lead actors for the Drama Showcase for final grade To study lighting, sound, and building sets in Drama Projects and write a lesson plan for each section to be taught to the rest of the class Grading Scale: 93-100 A 90-92.9 A- 88-89.9 B+ 82-87.9 B 80-81.9 B- 78-79.9 C+ 72-77.9 C 70-71.9 C- 68-69.9 D+ 62-67.9 D
Grades are based on a point and percentage basis. Individual points will be given for assignments based on type and difficulty, but the overall grade will be based on each percentage for specific tasks. Performances/Playwriting carry the most weight, followed by daily practice. This is a hands-on class and participation is expected, especially of Advanced Drama students.
Grading Percentages Performances and Projects: 30% Participation (Warm-ups, classwork, 20% play writing, research paper, set design, short scene critiques and skits, etc.)
Leadership (with Beginning Drama students) 20% Rehearsals (actors/stage crew) and quizzes 20% (memory check, vocab quizzes, stage crew prop and furniture plans, etc.) Semester Exam (Showcase) 10% TOTAL 100%
Late or Missing Assignments
Due to the nature of theater, unexcused absences on performance days will not be taken lightly. The same grade deduction will apply as if it were late work (points deducted) or no work (0). Depending on the situation, I will determine how much is deducted from the grade for that performance. If you miss a lot of school and can’t perform in the scene/one-act, there will be other options, such as creating the program, being stage crew for the performance or writing a review of the performance. I will take into consideration each individual’s specific talents to make sure each person is able to get full credit as much as possible. Attendance: Follow the guidelines for Lakewood’s attendance & tardy policy in your student handbook. However, attendance for the Drama Showcase is mandatory. The date will be announced soon. This will be your final exam grade, so all students need to make plans now for that event. If there is a family emergency or a pre-planned vacation, then the parents will need to contact me personally, and a research paper will be assigned for either actors or stage crew, according to their role in the Showcase. The research paper will consist of a famous actor or technician, with a biography, some of the plays performed/produced, and an analysis of that person’s influence on theater. This paper will count as the final exam grade in place of the performance. If an actor cannot be in the play and knows this at the beginning of the rehearsals, then, he/she will not be allowed to audition for a new role, and any former role will be performed by another actor. This also applies to stage crew members.
Contact Information: The best way to reach me is to leave a message on my phone extension (5110) or by email ([email protected]). I answer all phone calls and emails within a 24-48 hour period. I am available for extra help on projects after school Tuesdays or Wednesdays. RETURN THIS SHEET ONLY
Students: Please sign below indicating that you agree with the following statement. Return this form, cut on the above line to me by September 6th for your first homework assignment.
I have read and understand the syllabus and Theater Etiquette sheet given to me. I agree to abide by the rules and procedures of this class, and I understand that not doing so will result in disciplinary action.
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Student Printed Name: ______
Parents: Please sign below indicating you have read and understand the requirements of this class and the theater etiquette. Also, please indicate if you are able to help backstage or help in any other way with the Drama Showcase. I could really use some adult supervision backstage for both the rehearsal the day before and the actual performance (perhaps watch the dress rehearsal if you help the night of, or we could have several parents trade off when their child isn’t performing on the night of the performance). Contact me by phone if you prefer rather than emailing me (I don’t text —sorry!)
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Parent/Guardian Email (for information/updates) ______