Ms.

Smiths

Theatre III-IV Syllabus

tiffany.smith@jefferson.kyschools.us www.EHSTheatreClass.weebly.com All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That's what makes theatre live. That's why it persists. -Stephen Sondheim
Materials Needed Pen or Pencil (blue or black ink), Bound Notebook, Folder Course Description Theatre III is an advanced study of theatre, specifically in the area of acting, directing, and production. Students will delve into all areas of the play production process as it relates to theatre history, famous playwrights and their plays, writing, acting, directing, lights and sound, and publicity. In addition, students will: Collaborate with directors to develop unified production concepts that convey the metaphorical nature of the drama for informal and formal theatre, film, television, or electronic media productions. 2. Create and reliably implement production schedules, stage management plans, promotional ideas, and business and front-of-house procedures for informal and formal theatre, film, television, or electronic media productions. 3. Write scripts by improvising, writing, and refining scripts based on personal experience and heritage, imagination, literature, and history in a variety of traditional and new forms that include original characters with unique dialogue that motivates action. 4. Act by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisations and informal or formal productions. 5. Demonstrate artistic discipline to achieve an ensemble in rehearsal and performance 6. Create consistent characters from classical, contemporary, realistic, and nonrealistic dramatic texts in informal and formal theatre, film, television, or electronic media productions. 7. Design and producing by conceptualizing and realizing artistic interpretations for informal or formal productions. 8. Directing by interpreting dramatic texts and organizing and conducting rehearsals for informal or formal productions. 9. Understand the interrelated responsibilities of the various personnel involved in theatre, film, television, and electronic media productions. 10. Collaborate with designers and actors to develop aesthetically unified production concepts for informal and formal theatre, film, television, or electronic media productions. 11. Direct scenes and conduct production meetings to achieve production goals. 12. Comparing and integrating art forms by analyzing traditional theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, and new art forms. 13. Compare the interpretive and expressive natures of several art forms in specific culture or historical period. 14. Analyze, critique, and construct meanings from informal and formal theatre, film, television, and electronic media productions. 15. Construct personal meanings from nontraditional dramatic performances. 16. Analyze and evaluate critical comments about personal dramatic work, explaining which points are most appropriate to inform further development of the work. 17. Analyze the social and aesthetic impact of underrepresented theatre and film artists. 18. Analyze the relationships among cultural values, freedom of artistic expression, ethics, and artistic choices in various cultures and historical periods. Grading Policy Daily Assignments/Rehearsal/Discussions 30% Projects/Presentations/Performances 35% Written and Performance based assessments 25% Final Exams 10% 1.

Important Requirements 1. IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE: Specific in-class performances will be necessary for a portion of the students grade. You will be given three five days notice before the performance will take place. 2. Students are expected to perform on the date assigned to them. If a student is absent the day of performance, then he or she will be expected to make-up that performance upon his or her return. There will be no exceptions. 3. **If a student, for various reasons, chooses not to perform a specific unit, then an alternate written assignment MUST be completed for credit. You will only be allowed one alternative assignment to be approved IN ADVANCE. 4. During each performance unit you will be given several sessions of rehearsal time and you must be on task for each session. Your rehearsal grade will be used to determine your final performance unit grade. 5. Students may be quizzed at any time and are responsible for all material covered. 6. Your notebook is an extremely important aspect of your grade and learning. It will be collected when asked for and will be graded for neatness, completeness, and organization. Entries that are improperly headed will not receive credit. Students who fail to bring their materials on the days notebooks are collected will receive a 0%. 7. Extra credit is available. Students may see additional performances of productions in the area. To receive this credit, you must complete an additional critique with proof of attendance to the performance. The critique must be turned in within two weeks of the performance date on the ticket stub or program. The critique must be 3-5 pages typed in Times New Roman 12 point font. Also, a minimum of 10 hours participation in any production here or in the community, (church drama, community theatre, etc.) can be used for extra credit. If participation occurs outside of school, proof must be provided of participation in the production. Extra credit cannot replace a missed performance. 8. Strong attendance and participation are demanded in this class and is of the highest priority. 9. Hall passes: You will have 3 hall passes total per semester to use in this class and you may use the pass only in emergencies. No passes will be given during the first or last ten minutes of class. 10. Bring all materials to class each day! 11. Work must be written in pencil, or blue or black ink. No exceptions. 12. Work that is messy or is improperly headed will not be accepted. 13. Late work is not accepted under any circumstances. 14. When you are in this classroom, it is your time to learn about drama. You are not allowed to work on assignments for other classes while we are having class. 15. Make-up work for written assignments is permitted and will be graded for full credit, provided that the guidelines established in the Student Handbook are followed. 16. No food or beverages of any kind are allowed in the auditorium. 17. You must have permission from Ms. Smith to enter the prop room or backstage area. If you are not in a designated area at a given time, you will be given a disciplinary referral and your parents will be contacted. 18. ABSOLUTELY NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS about other students performances will be allowed. This is a cardinal sin during this class. 19. Always know your part. A large majority of your performance projects will be group projects and the other members of your group are counting on you to complete the project to the best of your ability. 20. All projects/performances must be approved by Ms. Smith prior to performance. No exceptions will be made to this rule. If they are not approved, you will not receive a grade for that unit. 21. Talking while others are performing is inconsiderate and will not occur. 22. Points will be deducted from a performance when a speaker has gum or candy in his/her mouth. 23. Adhere to all rules set aside in the school handbook Field Trips We will be taking two field trips to Actors Theatre during the course of this year. Students must be in good class standing to attend and are expected to dress appropriately for the theatre.

Name_____________________ Students I have read and understand the guidelines in the Theatre III and IV syllabus. Student Signature______________________________ Date___________ Note to Parents It is my hope that Theatre II I and IV will be an educational, interesting, and enjoyable class. I believe that the rules and concepts contained in this syllabus will promote a classroom environment conducive to learning. These rules and concepts are designed to ensure fairness and success for all of the students in this classroom. If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to call me at school, or e-mail me. Please look over this syllabus, so that you can become familiar with the policies, rules, concepts and responsibilities. I look forward to working with your child and meeting you during the school year. Parent Signature ________________________________ Date____________ An Additional Note There may be the occasion when students will be asked to help build sets. This would include possible work with power drills, paints, wood, hammers, and nails. If your child has permission to work with these materials, please sign below.

Parent Signature________________________________ Date______________