THEATRE ARTS - Junior Varsity
2009 -2010 Syllabus Klein Collins High School
INSTRUCTOR: Jami Hughes OFFICE: 203
OFFICE PHONE: 832.484.5417 Email:
jhughes2@kleinisd.net
INSTRUCTOR’S CONFERENCE PERIOD: BEST TIME TO CALL:
6th period – 12:42 – 1:30 2:30 – 3:30 PM
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1 inch 3 ring binder with dividers and paper
Pens and Pencils
Prop and costumes pieces for acting scenes
TEKS for Course:
Chapter 117.64 to 117.68 of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is a continuation of the skills and practice of performance, production and career drama. All students will continue with acting training as well as the following: relaxation and preparation, voice and diction, stage movement and pantomime and improvisation skills. Students will gain the ability to do the following: analyze and interpret scripts and characters; understand dramatic structure; understand theatre history and acting styles; recognize the interdependence of all theatrical elements, attend live theatre events; analyze and evaluate live theatre performances and practice theater etiquette.
• EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
Each student will be evaluated on his/her achievement of the course objectives by the following means:
The instructor’s observation of successful participation in and contribution to the daily functioning of the learning community
Formal critiques of monologue and scene performances which will be followed by additional performances that will measure the degree of incorporation of said critiques into the student’s work
The content and construction of formally written documents
Grading Guidelines:
Major Grades:
40% Performances and Major Projects
20% Daily Assignments
Minor Grades:
10% Rehearsal and Performance (Hours)
10% Written Work
10% Play Talks
10% Play Attendance and Critique
• Play talks are given every Friday. The class will be divided into two groups and each student will be responsible for presenting a play talk on alternate Fridays. Plays are issued by the play librarian ONLY. Students are not allowed in the play library without teacher permission. The student is responsible for informing the play librarian if they need a play. Scripts must be returned to the play librarian on the day the student presents their play talk. Scripts must be turned in before a new script will be issued. Students must pay for lost or destroyed scripts. BEFORE presenting your play talk, each Student must turn in one of two selections, either a 5 – 10 minute scene for two or three people. Or a monologue between 90 – 180 seconds long. You will be shown the proper way to make a folder.
• Written Work is due any day throughout the six weeks. The deadline for turning in written work is 5:00 pm on the final Wednesday of each six weeks. Material that is placed in written work must be:
Good Quality material
Appropriate Length
Edited or appropriate language and subject matter.
A new selection for the files
***Refer to the academic integrity code regarding: cheating, lying, plagiarism and tampering.
All performances will be averaged together to create 40% of the grade. The number and types of performances will vary from six weeks to six weeks.
• PLAY ATTENDANCE/CRITIQUES:
Each six weeks students must attend a theatrical performance. To receive credit the student must turn in a ticket stub, program and a one page written critique of the production WITHIN TEN CALENDAR DAYS of seeing the production. The grade will be averaged into the six weeks grade at then end of each grading period. In lieu of this assignment students may choose the alternate assignment. The alternate assignment is to collect five current theatre magazine articles and write a one page summary/critique of each article.
• REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE
Students are required to work A MINUMUM OF 20 HOURS every 6-weeks on a production, each 6 weeks of the semester. THESE GRADES WILL BE ENFORCED.
• MOVEMENT MONDAYS
Each Monday the class will explore some area of movement. This may be a dance form, or some stage movement theory or technique. At the end of each 6-weeks, a performance/presentation will be done on the work taught that 6 – weeks. Make sure to wear clothes you can move in on Mondays.
• LATE WORK
Assignments turned in after predetermined due dates are considered “late,” unless there are extenuating circumstances. For each day an assignment is due and not turned in, your grade will be deducted by 11 points for the first day and 10 points each day after.
• ABSENCE POLICY
If a student is absent on a day that a project or scene is due; the student must be ready to turn in the project or assignment on the day that they return. If a scene partner is absent on a performance day, the partner that was not absent will not be penalized. KCHS tardy procedure will be enforced.
• MAKE UP WORK
Students must come to the instructor to get work they missed while absent. Parent contact with the instructor requesting make up work is also acceptable. See student handbook for further make up work procedures.
• RE-TEACH/RE-TEST
Will only be provided after school by appointment – Tuesdays are best. Re-testing will only be allowed following Test Correction and/or tutoring has been competed on major assignments/projects or tests.
• THEATRE ARTS TEST DAYS WILL BE THURSDAYS.
However, many projects/performances may require several days to allow for student’s presentations or reports.
• DRESS REQUIREMENTS:
We will be moving around a lot in this class and lying on the floor. You should wear clothes that are not restrictive in any way.
• PARTICIPATION
You will be expected to participate in all exercises. I MAKE YOU ONE PROMISE- everything we do in here has a reason. Please do not fight it! Everything will be explained to you. Have fun!
HINT: THIS IS A PARTICIPATION CLASS, IF YOU ARE NOT IN CLASS, YOU CAN NOT PARTICIPATE!
This is a studio course and being here is essential. This is fundamental to your own development as an actor and for your classmates, as much of your work will involve partnering.
GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCTION CLASSES
• All performances must be fully memorized and well rehearsed
• No food or drink are allowed the black box or dressing rooms
• Students chewing gum during performances or presentations will automatically receive a zero for that grade.
• Theatre/Shop Lockers are off limits during the school day. Theatre Dressing Rooms will be kept locked. Lockers will only be used during previews and show days by cast and crew members. Lockers will be assigned by your director. You MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN LOCK!
• If you have late arrival – you not allowed to come into the black box before school (during first period). I am having class and it very distracting to me and the students.
• No one is allowed in the costume shop or prop loft unless accompanied by the shop assistant. If you do need to go, please be mindful that the assistant does not have to drop what they are doing to assist you. You may have to make an appointment that will work for both of you.
• Please go in to the drama office only when is necessary. A computer will available in the black box for your use. The class librarian is the only one that really needs to be in the inner sanctum. If you feel like you need to go in there – please ask first.
