Dr Charles Best

Dr. Charles Best Drama 9 Course Outline Drama 9 is a studio course designed to expand on basic acting skills and introduce new ones. Explorations of fundamental acting principals, movement, and voice will be our primary focus. The expectations of this course will be that students learn about the theatre, gain an understanding of theatrical language and of themselves. Students will learn to create effective working relationships with senior acting students and fellow ensemble members. All drama students are expected to perform in front of the class, committing to and breathing life into roles that have been built through rehearsal, movement and voice. It is expected that students who elect to take Drama 9 wish to pursue excellence in all aspects of the course.

Topics and Learning Outcomes: Principles of acting class: Trust, ensemble, teamwork, self-confidence and communication skills. a) Philosophy: why are you here? b) Participation/Cooperation: you must work easily and comfortably with all class members, you must participate and cooperate in all class activities, without judgment. c) Control: you must be in control of all actions and words used within the class setting. d) Concentration: to focus on a task and not be distracted: to remain in character. e) Trust: to present ideas and feelings in an open manner: to develop and exhibit concern, in all activities, for the safety and well being of fellow students. f) Imagination: to contribute creatively to all work. g) Movement: to develop a natural ease of movement; to express emotion through movement and extend abilities to control movement. h) Voice and Text: learn the basic principals of the voice for the stage: basic projection, articulation, pitch and pace using text. i) Improvisation: to offer and accept ideas, to develop group improvisations, to improvise alone or in a group, with or without preparation. j) Theatre Background: to be able to understand and use the simple theatre terminology; such as, upstage, downstage, stage right, stage left, blocking, cue, off book line run, cheating out, upstaging, and commitment.

Units Covered: a) Silent Movies/mime d) Scene Work g) Theatre Games b) Readers Theatre e) Melodrama h) Speech and Voice c) Story Telling f) Soap Opera

Additionally, throughout the semester, this class will be viewing a variety of different film/theatre productions to enrich our learning experience. At the end of the semester, students will work with a directing student on a short play for performance.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated regularly in the following manner: Written Work 15% Self Evaluation 15% Work Habits 20% Performance 25% Participation/Co-operation 25% Assessment: Journal – This is your written work and you will be expected to keep a journal designed to enhance, evaluate and analyze all of your personal and performance projects. This journal must be in a duo tang “not a binder”. Please make sure that you complete your journal work neatly and on time. Work Habits - This is a class that operates as an ensemble, and because so much of the content is learned through direct participation, attendance and punctuality are absolutely necessary. We start every class on time. For each time you are late, you will lose one mark. For each time you are absent (excused or unexcused), you will lose two marks. This should encourage you to schedule appointments, etc. outside of class time! If you are here every day, on time and working hard, one sick day will not affect your mark. Eight absences in one reporting period will result in failure for the term. (Extenuating circumstances will be considered.) Performance - Each performance will be marked according to specific criteria which may include concentration, energy, blocking, listening and reacting to others; as well as, projection, articulation, character development and line retention. Self Evaluation - Because an important part of Drama/Acting includes increasing self- awareness, you will need to evaluate yourself after each unit. At the beginning of the term you will be required to decide what mark you want to achieve. At the end of the term you will be asked to re-examine the goals you set and assess yourself based on your actual report card grade. All of your written reflections will be assessed for their insights and observations. Therefore, the content should be thoughtful, and include examples and details. Participation/Cooperation - Cooperation includes: following class rules; bringing materials as needed and cleaning up; doing homework when assigned; demonstrating proper behaviour as audience and during instruction; maintaining a positive and pleasant manner. - Participation includes: participating well in group discussions and rehearsals; giving critical feedback after performances; participating in games and exercises; developing ideas; volunteering to help other groups. No put downs or fowl language!

Expectations of Professionalism (The 3Rs) 1. Respect: For yourself, others, me and all equipment (including props). 2. Responsibility: for yourself, others and the space. "Clean up your mess!" 3. Readiness: Be prepared to work with commitment and energy each and every class.