CLASS SyllabUS

Common Course Syllabus for WHHS Theatre Program

2017-18

THEATRE 1 452101CW

Course Description In this course students will develop basic skills and techniques of acting and directing and will participate in multiple aspects of a production. Intense study of a variety of plays and dramatic forms will be included. Students may be required to attend plays as assigned by the teacher/director. This class is available for any student grades 9 thru 12.

TECHNICAL THEATRE 452500CW

Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to aspects of technical theatre, including design (computer-aided design in set, lighting, and sound) construction techniques (recognizing and using tools safely), production elements (including stage management and production management), scene painting, costuming, and make-up. PREREQUISITE: Instructor approval

PLAY PRODUCTION 459977CW

Course Description In this course students will develop basic design skills and techniques for the stage. Areas such as makeup, costume, set design and construction, lighting, sound publicity, and stage management will be studied. Student activities will include support of Drama department productions. Attendance at performances may be mandatory.

This course is divided into two sections- not necessarily by grading periods. The first component will be a production directed by the instructor with students developing original works to be presented in a production that will run for a long term. Students will have five to six weeks to develop scripts, sets, costumes, sound and light designs for short skits. Students will also develop skills in stage management and box office management. Students will then mount the production for five to six weeks or the equivalent of 10 to 14 performances. The second section of the course is an independent study that will have the students working in small groups to create a full production that includes published and original works. Students will take on full responsibility of the entire production. This will include designing sets, lights, and sound, as well as acting, directing, stage management, and box office.

DRAMA 3H 452303HW

This course will provide advanced study in technical theatre techniques – such as make up, lighting set costume design and acting techniques. Literature from American and continental playwrights is studied, analyzed, and produced. Students in this course will be required to work with more intensity, at a deeper level, and perform/produce a range of more difficult material.

This course is divided into two sections- not necessarily by grading periods. The first component will be a production directed by the instructor with students developing a full length children’s theatre production that will run for a long term. Students will also have to contribute to the technical aspects of the production as well. Time outside of class will have to be devoted to both acting and technical pursuits. Students will have five to six weeks to develop believable and sustained characters for a major production. Students will then mount the production for five to six weeks or the equivalent of 10 to 14 performances. The second section of the course is an independent study that will have the students working in small groups to create a full production that includes published and original works. Students will take on full responsibility of the entire production. This will include designing sets, lights, and sound, as well as acting, directing, stage management, and box office. Expectations of a more difficult or a deeper level of performance from the students will be expected in a Honors level course.

DRAMA 4H 452403HW

In this course the student will study and analyze plays of representative playwrights from Shakespeare through twentieth century writers. Contemporary plays will be studied and produced. Advanced acting and technical techniques will be studied and applied in a production. Each participant will work as actor, director, and technician. Students in this course will be required to work with more intensity, at a deeper level, and produce/perform a range of more difficult material.

This course is divided into two sections- not necessarily by grading periods. The first component will be a production directed by the instructor with students developing a full length children’s theatre production that will run for a long term. Students will also have to contribute to the technical aspects of the production as well. Time outside of class will have to be devoted to both acting and technical pursuits. Students will have five to six weeks to develop believable and sustained characters for a major production. Students will then mount the production for five to six weeks or the equivalent of 10 to 14 performances. The second section of the course is an independent study that will have the students working in small groups to create a full production that includes published and original works. Students will take on full responsibility of the entire production. This will include designing sets, lights, and sound, as well as acting, directing, stage management, and box office. Expectations of a more difficult or a deeper level of performance from the students will be expected in a Honors level course. Also, those who are taking Honors 4 are expected to take on a larger leadership role in the production.

THE REST OF THE SYLLABUS APPLIES TO ALL THEATRE CLASSES

Instructional Philosophy

Theatre classes are a hands-on laboratory class with an emphasis on individual participation in the activities and exercises to develop skills necessary in a theatre student. The expectation is that every student will commit to a quality performance by willingly participating in the theatre production process. Each student will have a variety of responsibilities and possibly varying roles from other students, but all will contribute their energy and skills for the best possible production for the audience. While the production may be done by high school students, the performance will meet professional standards. “We don’t do high school plays. We do professional shows with high school students.”

Goals and Standards

Within the theatre class, the nine anchor standards will be addressed in a variety of experiences, most of which will involve some type of theatre production- either in a formal or informal setting. Indicators are set to show mastery of the skills within each standard. Activities and performances- both formal and informal are created to give students the opportunity to showcase their skills in the standards. Because the anchor standards are lengthy. the standards are listed below.

Major Assignments & Projects Students will work in groups to develop and perform original and published works. At each step in the performance process- writing, rehearsing, developing technical elements, students will be evaluated. Each of the processes will be assessed as minor assessments until mastery should be completed. At that point, there will be a mastery skill test that will be weighed as a major grade. Each dress rehearsals and performance will be assessed as a major assignment.

Assessment and Grading Plan Assessment will be done by formal written assessments, classroom observations, oral quizzes, self-evaluation, peer-evaluation, and teacher assessment of the individual’s progress through the process as well as performance of acting, directing, and/or designing skills. During the earlier part of the course, more performances will be available for assessment. The end of course assessment will be weighed as the exam (20% of the grade).

Communication Expectations for the students will be given in class through oral instructions, posted guides, and individual study sessions. Communication of expectations to the parents will be given through electronic posted guides, email updates, and individual phone calls as needed. The teacher website as well as the Google Classroom will be the main source of communication for both students and parents.

GRADING POLICY and CLASS RULES are posted on separate sub-webpages

ANCHOR STANDARDS