Course Syllabus

Welcome to Introduction to Theatre.  I’m thrilled to be able to work with you this semester in order to expand your theatre knowledge and discover your artistic talents. 

 

Goals of this class:________________________________

• Learn the value of theatre in society
• Gain general knowledge of theatre including terms, the people, and the process
• Learn theatre history
• Understand parts of script/dramatic literature and be able to analyze scripts
• Explore the basics of acting, directing, lighting, sound, costuming, and makeup
• Create original costume, set, light, sound, and prop designs
• Gain real design experience by working on a play
• Gain real acting experience by acting in a play
• Discover different theatre forms, such as masks, mime, puppetry, television, and film
• Gain the ability to critically examine a theatre performance based on conventions, script analysis, design, and acting

 

Topics Covered in this Class:______________________

This class will be addressing the following topics through creative, hands on projects:

• The Production Process
• Theatre Vocabulary
• People in Theatre
• Theatre History, including Greek, Shakespearian, and Japanese Drama
• Modern Theatre Conventions
• Script Analysis
• Theatre Production Analysis
• Types of Theatre, including Masks, Puppetry, Mime, Television, and Film
• Parts of a Play
• Set Design
• Light Design
• Sound Design
• Costume Design
• Stage Management
• Directing
• Acting, including Movement, Stage Combat, Voice, Improvisation, and Character Workshops
• Creating and Designing a Real Play

 

Play Attendance Requirement:______________________

Students cannot be expected to learn about and fully understand theatre if they never watch a production.  Therefore, you are REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE  BEXLEY HIGH SCHOOL FALL MUSICAL and write a review.  I will also let you know about many different opportunities to watch theatre in Columbus and the surrounding communities if you want to see outside plays for extra credit.

The Bexley fall musical is The Drowsy Chaperone and performances are on November 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30PM, and November 21 at 2:00PM in the Schottenstein Theater, so plan ahead.  Students only need to attend one of the four performances.  After attending the musical, each student will fill out a play analysis and take a quiz on the Monday following the performance.  Play analysis forms can be downloaded off of Canvas so you know what to look for while watching the play.  Students participating in the cast and crew for the fall play do not have to fill out a review or take the quiz.

In case students have valid excuses as to why they cannot attend a play, they will be given a makeup assignment due the following week.  You will not be excused from going to plays due to work or other activities, since the play dates are known months in advance.

 

Supplies:________________________________________

You need to bring the following supplies each day in order to succeed. 

• Pencil or pen
• Paper
• A binder or folder for your projects, papers, and handouts
• Whatever script or project we are currently working on
• Please wear clothing appropriate for what we are doing in class (for example, if we are doing movement exercises, you shouldn’t wear a dress)

 

Rules, Expectations, and Discipline:_________________

The dynamics of a theatre class is ever changing with the creativity and attitudes the students bring to the table.  Negativity corrodes creativity, learning, class community, and self-exploration.  The rules of this class are simple.  They are meant to make this class an enjoyable experience for everyone, and without following these rules, our goals are not possible.  In addition to these rules, you are also required to follow Bexley High School Student Code of Conduct.  These rules include no cell phones in class, no CD players/I-Pods in class (unless the project allows them), proper dress code, and the plagiarism policy.  Students should read the Bexley High School Student Code of Conduct handbook in order to better understand these rules, policies, and consequences.

 

1. Be open-minded towards the creative process

2. Allow all those around you to create.  Everyone in this room is safe to explore.

3. Clean up after yourself.  This is OUR space.  Let’s not invite rats.

4. Be school appropriate.  School inappropriate scenes (taking drugs, excessive violence, sex, coarse language) will not receive any points and will earn the student an uncomfortable call home and trip to the principal’s office.

5. Put your time and energy into everything you do.  If you’re putting your name on it, you should do it right!

    

   Failure to follow these rules can result in lower grades, ASRs, parent/teacher conferences, and a much worse class experience for you and your peers.

    

   Assignments:__________________________________

   I believe that proper communication between teacher, student, and parent can mean all the difference in a student’s education.  Assignments will be posted on Canvas and grades will be posted on Power School.  Both programs can be found by clicking on the Parent/Student Info tab on the Bexley City School district website and then clicking on Parent/Student links.

    

   Availability/Communication:________________________

   I am available for students during lunch and after school in my office, room 4119 in the High School auditorium lobby.  I love for students to come see me, especially if they are having a problem with some of the class work.  If a student wants to set up an appointment with me, he or she needs to approach me the day before or place a note in my mailbox so I will be there to meet them and can properly prepare materials that may help.

   I am also available through e-mail. My contact information is located at the top of the first page.  I prefer e-mails, as my theatre schedule often keeps me after school until late at night when it is too late to call.

    

Grading:________________________________________

I use a point system to determine grades in this class.  Every project we do will be worth a different number of points, based on how much work it takes to complete the project.  Rubrics will be included with each project so students know exactly what to do in order to succeed.  Students will also receive daily points based on participation in the class.  Participation is a very important aspect in this class, and failure to participate will result in a loss of points for that day.  PLEASE NOTE THAT IF STUDENTS FAIL TO PARTICIPATE IT WILL HURT THEIR OVERALL GRADE. 

Students can only get an F by refusing to participate and not doing class work.  Everyone starts with an A, and it is up to the student to keep it.  There will be many extra credit opportunities to raise grades that students can also take advantage of. 

Grades will be posted on Power School and updated as frequently as possible.

Grades will generally fall into the following categories:

 

Participation:

Every student receives 5 points of participation every day.  A student will fail to receive his or her points if he or she refuses to participate in a class activity (acting is a big part of theatre), interrupts the lesson, is rude to other students, or distracts from class time.

 

Projects:

Most of the work we do in class are projects.  These projects give students hands on experience in the topic we are covering in class.  For example, when studying Greek Theatre the students must complete a project based on acting in Greek plays and creating Greek masks.

Every project packet includes a check list of exactly what students need to do in order to receive all of their points, as well as a grading rubric that says exactly what I am looking for.  Each project is worth a different amount of points, based on the detail and time length of the project.

 

Quizzes/Tests:

There will be a few quizzes given periodically so that I can make sure students are paying attention in class and retaining information.  Points will be assigned based on the difficulty and length of the quiz.  Tests will be given at the end of each unit.  These units are:

Theatre 101/Basic Knowledge/Preparation

Movement

Voice

Production Process and Team

Theater Terms and Set Design

Light, Sound, Props, and Costumes

Greek Theatre and Theatre History

 

Homework:

Most of the homework assigned will be finishing projects not completed in class or journaling theatre experiences at home.  Homework and due dates will be posted on Canvas as well as stated on each project.

 

Danger Contracts/Action Plan:_____________________

The Danger Contract/Action Plan is a useful tool for students who are struggling or failing in class or displaying constant behavior issues.  Together, the student, the parent, and I will sit down, identify the problem causing the student to struggle, and come up with solutions.  We will then sign a contract listing what the student, the parent, and I will do to facilitate class success, and we will follow it.  If things do not improve in several weeks, the contract will have to be revisited and revised.  Parents are instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Danger Contract, and parents can also insist that students are given Danger Contracts.

 

Late Work:_______________________________________

Work turned in after the due date will be considered late, unless there is an adequate excuse.  Excuses for turning in work late include school excused absences, illness, family emergencies, college visits, etc.  Ten percent of the total points will be deducted from the final grade for each day unexcused late work is not turned in.  Work turned in more than a week late without an excuse will not be considered.  Students with valid excuses should turn in their work the next day they are at school, unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case a new due date will be assigned.

 

 

Let’s Have a Great Time!!

Depending on you and your classmates’ attitudes, this class can be as positive or negative an experience as you make it.  In this room, we are a community of learners, and it is up to us to work together in order to achieve our overall goal:  exploring the basics of theatre.  Let’s have a great time!!