Chestermere High School Drama 10-20-30 Course Outline Mr.Hofbauer Room 1004 (403) 272-8868 ext. 4551 [email protected]

There are five basic areas of Drama/Theatre that will be covered in Drama 10-20-30: Movement, Speech/Vocal Development, Acting/Improvisation, Theatre/Script Studies, and Technical Theatre.

General Objectives: Drama facilitates an environment in which students will: Develop self -confidence, self discipline and a positive self image Create an environment of respect, trust, and safety Strengthen powers of concentration, commitment to role Explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities Further develop the ability to make a decision, act upon it, and accept the results Extend the ability to think creatively, and develop a sense for abstract expression Extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions Develop the ability to initiate, organize, and present a project within a given set of guidelines Extend the ability to understand, accept and respect others – their rights, ideas, abilities and differences Develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism Develop increased communication skills using body and voice as tools of communication Develop belief in, and commitment to a role/character Recognize the need for and demonstrate warm up activities Explore specific techniques demanded by various dramatic forms Become familiar with dramatic terminology and script format Develop an awareness of various conventions of theatre Understand and apply the elements of a story line Develop recognition of and respect for excellence in drama Strengthen one’s ability to analyze character, including inner motivation, directive, and objective.

Course Content

Units will generally be subdivided into the following categories. However, many areas of theatre overlap. Therefore some aspects of these units will be covered concurrently.

ORIENTATION – September (Sem 1) or February (Sem 2) • Introductions, trust exercises and theatre games. MOVEMENT – September/October (Sem 1) or February/March (Sem 2) • Tableau, creative movement, mime and abstract expression.

IMPROVISATION – October (Sem 1) or March (Sem 2) • Planned improvisation, spontaneous improvisation, character/setting/plot establishment

SPEECH/VOCAL DEVELOPMENT – November & December (Sem 1) or March & April (Sem 2) • Vocal technique, oral interpretation, choral speech, reader’s theatre, poetry performance

ACTING – November, December, January (Sem 1) or April, May, June (Sem 2) • Collective, scripted work, open scenes, scene study

THEATRE STUDIES/HISTORY – December & January (Sem 1) or May & June (Sem 2) • The script, the performance, the theatre, historical periods (Greek, Roman, Medieval, Elizabethan, Canadian drama)

DESIGN/TECHNICAL THEATRE – A basic introduction to the concepts of technical theatre and design is offered as students work through the term. Students will receive an introduction to the implementation of costumes, stage lights, audio, props and sets as they progress through the various projects in the term.

DIRECTING (Concepts are learned throughout the semester)

• NOTE: This outline is subject to change and is meant as a general structure only. Student progress and time constraints may affect the extent to which all areas are explored.

Evaluation - The evaluation procedure for Drama 10-20-30 is as follows:

CLASS WORK

• Includes in class work, projects, unit projects, participation, lates, attitude and attendance. • Participation is essential in a drama class, therefore attendance to class and being on time to class will play a significant part in your grade for the term. • As well, the majority of the projects in this class will be group oriented performances. Therefore, late attendance or absence will severely disrupt the progress of the group.

Grade Breakdown Summary % of Final Grade

Daily Exercises 10% Use of Rehearsal Time 10% Performances and Reflections 60% Final Performance and Reflection 20%

Total 100%

NOTE: All grading categories and percentages are subject to change.

Student Expectations (RULES):

We live in a global community, we hope to make it a better place and we also hope to make our classroom community a better place. Treat the members of your community in this classroom with courtesy and respect.

“RESPECT” • Respect other’s feelings, ideas, concerns, opinions, work, space, and individuality. • Respect your teacher’s feelings, ideas, concerns, opinions, work, space, and individuality. • Respect your own feelings, ideas, concerns, opinions, work, space, and individuality. • In the drama classroom we promote an environment of trust and care, and the following reminders (of which you are surely aware), will help us to create and maintain a fun, yet productive class. • Pay full attention when others are speaking or performing • Use appropriate language “BE ON TIME” • Be on time and come prepared. • Drama is a practical course that involves mostly in-class, participatory work, therefore it is essential that you be here on time.

“WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING” • Wear clothing that will allow full freedom of movement. • Drama is an active course that requires much movement.

“SAFETY” • Be aware of others’ work space and tread carefully within it. Although we have a specific theatre space, it may be easy to invade on others’ working space. Be aware of others’ space and respect it,

“NO GUM, FOOD, OR DRINK” • It is necessary for you to be able to participate fully, to the best of your ability at all times, and gum, food, or drink will get in the way. • Also, these things serve as safety factors, not to mention that they will make the theatre filthy if spilled.

“NO CELL PHONES” • DO NOT bring Cell Phones into the classroom. Leave these items in your locker.

“PARTICIPATE TO YOUR FULLEST POTENTIAL” • Drama, although an option, is considered a university entrance level program. Drama 30 can be used to help you get into post secondary school, and therefore, the program is considered an academic option. • Students involved in Drama must recognize that this course is a study in the theory and practice of acting performance, and therefore, students must understand that the level of effort required is significant.

I am always available for any questions, concerns, or comments you may have, or if you just want to stop by and chat. Please do not hesitate to approach me after class, or immediately after school. My email is [email protected] and I can usually be found either in the Drama room or in room 1004.

I am excited about the new semester, and I thank you in advance for your efforts and progression in our class.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is with great excitement that we welcome the new school term. In order to run our programs successfully we need you to read your child’s course outline and this release form and sign where indicated.

• Student work created in Drama may be viewed or screened for various audiences including class presentations, group critiques, exemplars for other classes, public screenings, school TV, the Chestermere High School and Rocky View Schools websites, or for Drama promotional purposes. Should you or your child not consent to the use of a particular performance containing their work, image and/or voice please inform the teacher, otherwise it is understood that consent has been given.

• Most Drama projects can be completed at school, but students have the opportunity to work on the projects at home as well. If you would like your child to be able to bring Drama equipment home and agree to take on the cost of any damage besides normal wear and tear, please sign here (if you do not sign here your child will not be allowed to borrow school equipment outside of class time)

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• Students will be working with audio and visual equipment in this class, if they are negligent, destructive or misplace the equipment it is their/your responsibility to cover the cost of repair or replacement of the equipment. The replacement of a DSLR camera is about $750. The estimated cost of a broken memory card is $50. The estimated cost of a light is $400.

• Students spend portions of class time outside of the classroom working on projects. Students may be unsupervised, but must stay on school property at all times. Students must inform their teacher where on school property they will be working and any deviation from the plan must be shared with their teacher. Students must be respectful to school property and must not disrupt classes or school activities in progress. Failure to do so will mean that students will not be allowed to work outside of the classroom.

STUDENT NAME (PRINT):

I have read this release form and understand and agree to all of its terms.

STUDENT SIGNATURE:

As the parent/guardian of the student named above, I have read this release form and understand and agree to all of its terms.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: