Embedded Files
Beginning Drama Syllabus
Mr. Olavarri Room: F132 Email: molavarri@natomasunified.org
This class will look at the four basic elements of any production: Performing, Directing, Practice and Scriptwriting. You will develop an understanding of the dramatic arts and will repeatedly create pieces of theatre that reflect on your own experiences. The purpose of this class is for you to have fun and feel more confident creating art that communicates to an audience.
I will ask you to receive feedback from me and your peers appropriately. I will teach you a system for giving feedback to peers and you will use this to critique the performances of others. You will develop an analytical ability which will help you better understand popular media & culture.
I expect you to have fun. The more energy you can put into this class each day - the more fun you will have. However, the fun will be on my terms - which means safe and appropriate. I expect you to get an A in this class. I expect you to work hard and push yourself. You will see things from yourself and others by the end of this class that will truly inspire you.
Challenge vs. Feeling Safe
To get to that inspiration I will challenge you. Please check in with me at the beginning of any day if you are physically or emotionally having a tough day. (This is something you should do for any class, but you will be more visible in this class.) Expect me to ask that you push yourself and try the warm-ups. When you are practicing, I will ask you to do things that are beyond your current comfort zone. When you perform, I will always have some comment to help improve your performance. Because, every piece of art can always use a little more practice. However, if I push too hard, or you feel uncomfortable you need to let me know. If you do not feel comfortable letting me know, please see an administrator or counselor in the main office and let them know ASAP. It is extremely important that we feel safe. You must speak to me or the office as soon as possible to help us maintain a safe environment in this classroom. . . where I can continue to challenge you to your limit.
This class teaches: 1) how to audition for, rehearse, and perform in a play on stage; 2) how to get a job, keep a job, and get promoted in a job; and 3) how to get more of what you want in life. Seriously.
Our Day
Our Day
Each day will follow a similar structure:
Journal (5mins)
Discuss Journal (5 mins)
Warm-up games (15 mins)
Lecture / Model (7 mins)
Practice (20 mins)
Wrap (3 mins)
Performances will usually be due on Thursdays after Warm-ups.
Fridays are often a reward day where we can learn and perform improvisation games (if the we as a class earned it).
Participation Rules
The following will be the expectations for each day in the class. A grade will be given each week in the grade book. Drama, more than most other arts, requires the active participation between participants - therefore, participation is a heavily weighted element (almost 1/2 of grade) for this course. (Absences count as zeros in participation, but make-up work is available.)
Try. If you are trying, tell me you are trying.
Be prepared to class (journal, pen, student binder)
No phones or Headphones
NEVER during warmups or performances EVER (always lose all participation points for day)
No eating in class ever; no drinking except water; No Gum!
Raise hand to speak; never speak to neighbor during performances
Respond appropriately to feedback
Participate in all movement activities and improvisational games
Practice the day's activities / small group scenes
Zero tolerance for culturally insensitive behavior
THEREFORE, Making fun of other people's culture, language, accents, etc will not be allowed in class even though we see it in movies and online every day. This is a public school, not Tik Tok. We will talk about this a lot.
Starting Class
Come in and chat with people. Not a quiet class.
Start Journal on Schoology. 3-5 mins. Talk with others about it.
Check in with Mr. Olavarri if you are having a day.
Try to manage outside drama. If you can't, just check in with Mr. Olavarri
Warm Ups
Circle up quickly.
Physically prepared. (No phone. No headphones.)
Stay focused.
Be engaged.
Have fun (and recognize everyone has anxiety around this activity).
Saying Sorry
As a part of learning how to succeed in business without really trying, I require that any time a student breaks one of the above rules, they say, "Sorry Mr. O". If the rule interrupted something for your peers, you need to apologize to them. Saying, "I apologize," does not count. You do not need to mean it. But it is important to learn to act like you mean it. (Much more of reasoning behind this will be covered in the Stanislavsky unit.) https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/12004-apologies-around-the-world.html
Calendar
Calendar
Discipline
Verbal Warning
Conference w/ Mr. O
Guardian Contacted
Referral
State Drama Standards
Development of Theatrical Skills
2.1 Make acting choices, using script analysis, character research, reflection, create characters from classical, contemporary, realistic, and nonrealistic dramatic texts.
Creation/Invention in Theatre
2.2 Improvise or write dialogues and scenes, applying basic dramatic structure (exposition,
complication, crises, climax, and resolution) and including complex characters with
unique dialogue that motivates the action.
2.3 Work collaboratively as designer, producer, or actor to meet directorial goals in scenes
and plays from a variety of contemporary and classical playwrights.
Critical Assessment of Theatre
4.1 Use complex evaluation criteria and terminology to compare genres of dramatic literature.
4.2 Draw conclusions about the effectiveness of informal and formal productions, films/ videos, or electronic media on the basis of intent, structure, and quality of the work.
Derivation of Meaning from Works of Theatre
5.0 Develop a thesis based on research as to why people create theatre.
Sample Project Rubric
Sample Project Rubric
The projects for this course will be pieces that will be worked on over time. The following is the checklist and rubric of the final project for this course. All projects will follow a similar system. The total points possible for this project is 42 points.
PROJECT CHECKLIST: (18 RUBRIC POINTS – 2 points for each item)
PROJECT RUBRIC: (24 RUBRIC POINTS)
Grade Weighting
Theatre Etiquette (30%)
Warm-ups
Practice
Audience
Projects (30%)
Afterschool Show (20%)
Final (20%)
Receiving Credit
Receiving Credit
Theatre Etiquette - Part of the class is learning how to participate in theatre in our community
Warm-ups - you will learn a bunch of silly games and activities that are to warm-up your body and get you more comfortable doing strange things onstage. You will earn 10 points per week for warmups. 2 points will be deducted if you are not on task, on your phone, doing other work, or not practicing.
Practice - you will be given 10 pts per week for practicing. 2 points will be deducted if you are not on task, on your phone, doing other work, or not practicing.
Audience - you will be given 10 pts for each time you are an audience for a given performance. You will get 2 points subtracted for not being a good audience member (on your phone, talking, being disruptive, doing homework, etc.)
Journal - You will complete a journal entry in Schoology at the beginning of every class. It should take about 3 minutes. It will be about what we are going to do that day, what we did yesterday, or about a performance you are working on. This grade will go in on a weekly basis into Infinite Campus.
Projects are only those items for which you have received a rubric. Each assignment is of equal weight. These are the performances, scenes and monologues. Almost every unit will have 2 practice performances and a final performance. That means you will perform a minimum of 12 times per semester.
Afterschool Show - every semester, there will be an evening performance in the big theatre where your student will perform something from the class. It could be a monologue, a song, a scene from a play or an improvised scene they created. This will occur once in December and also in May. We will choose the date as a class far in advance. If a student cannot attend for some reason, they must record themselves in advance and it will be projected in the theatre during the performance. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
The final in this class is an assessment of everything we have learned. This will include both the games and activities, the new vocabulary, and the requirements of performing on stage. Part of the final will be written and part will be performance-based. (The written part of the final may be taken orally.)
Turning in Assignments
All projects and performances will be uploaded to Schoology. This also allows you to see other projects and performances as well as material from prior years. All Schoology projects will be graded on the a rubric which is in Schoology. You must click on your grade to see your score for each part of the rubric. The cumulative rubric grade will be posted into Infinite Campus, not each part of the rubric.
Late Work & Make-up Work Policy
Daily participation in classes is essential. Much learning happens through discussion and activities, and assignments are planned to give students opportunities to practice their skills and demonstrate what they have learned. When work is not done in a timely manner, students may fall behind rapidly because we strive to build upon prior knowledge. Teachers appreciate that it can be difficult to remember all the different policies.
Daily participation in classes is essential. Much learning happens through discussion and activities, and assignments are planned to give students opportunities to practice their skills and demonstrate what they have learned. When work is not done in a timely manner, students may fall behind rapidly because we strive to build upon prior knowledge. Teachers appreciate that it can be difficult to remember all the different policies.
Work that has been copied or otherwise results from academic dishonesty will not be accepted for credit at any time. If such work is submitted, it will be handled according to our Inderkum Academic Honesty Policy and/or the rules of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Work that has been copied or otherwise results from academic dishonesty will not be accepted for credit at any time. If such work is submitted, it will be handled according to our Inderkum Academic Honesty Policy and/or the rules of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Short-term work (weekly readings, notes, homework)
If work needs to be made up due to an absence, the student may do so without penalty for up to two days late per day of absence. For example, if student is absent 2 days, work is due by 4th day back, or next school day. After this period, or if late for any other reason, it may be submitted until the end of unit, but only if the student consults with the teacher, and potentially with a penalty.
Assessments will not be rescheduled for students who have not submitted work on time, except as noted in the assessment section below.
Work submitted late may not be returned at the same time as others submitted on time, meaning the student may not have the same opportunity for feedback as those who submitted work by the deadline.
No work will be accepted after the end of the week prior to finals for that semester.
Long-term work (projects, performances, all IAs)
Long-term work (projects, performances, all IAs)
All long term work is due on its due date. You cannot get any extensions for being absent that day or that week.
Performances fall into a different category. If you are absent, your group will need to perform without you. When you return, you need to ask them to perform again. If they are unwilling, you must perform without them. (In practice, most groups are willing to perform again - but the show will always go on - with or without you.) Be accountable, helpful and reliable and your group will support you if you are ever absent!
Good time management is essential. If a student is having difficulty keeping on schedule, s/he should seek help from the teacher, a counselor and/or a program coordinator well in advance of the deadline.
If the work is late for any reason, it may be submitted for up to 80% of the grade up to one week after the original due date.
After the allowance for absences or the first week for other reasons, the student has one more week to submit the work for a (further) reduction of 20% of the grade. After that, the work will not be accepted.
Long-term assignments often are the basis of follow-up assignments, discussions, presentations, etc. on the day that they are due. If the student cannot fully participate in this subsequent assignment because work was not submitted on time, the teacher may give an alternative assignment that may require an additional meeting and/or work.
No work will be accepted after the end of the week prior to finals for that semester.
MAKE UP: Credit for Long-term assignments that are later than a week can be achieved by performing a monologue. The monologue will need to be a new monologue and you will be graded using the same performance rubric as the missed assignment. This performance must occur in front of the class. (This can be made up all semester EXCEPT the final 7 days of the course.) You are responsible for discussing and scheduling this time with the teacher.
In-class assessments (such as tests, quizzes, essays, lab practicals, etc.)
In-class assessments (such as tests, quizzes, essays, lab practicals, etc.)
• If the absence is on/begins on the day of the assessment, the teacher may require the student to do the assessment during class time on his/her first day back in class.
• If the absence is on/begins on the day of the assessment, the teacher may require the student to do the assessment during class time on his/her first day back in class.
• If the student misses the assessment due to an absence, s/he is expected to meet with the teacher on the day s/he returns to class to schedule a make-up date. S/he has one day of extension for each day of absence to complete the assessment. Failing to promptly arrange the date will not extend the period allowed, though a teacher has the discretion to give more time if make-ups are only done at certain times.
• If the student misses the assessment due to an absence, s/he is expected to meet with the teacher on the day s/he returns to class to schedule a make-up date. S/he has one day of extension for each day of absence to complete the assessment. Failing to promptly arrange the date will not extend the period allowed, though a teacher has the discretion to give more time if make-ups are only done at certain times.
• At the teacher’s sole discretion, any assessments given after the original date may be replaced by comparable assessments/assignments.
• At the teacher’s sole discretion, any assessments given after the original date may be replaced by comparable assessments/assignments.
• No late assessments may be done after the end of the week prior to finals for that semester.
• No late assessments may be done after the end of the week prior to finals for that semester.
Some assignments, by their nature, cannot be made up at another time. If that is the case, the teacher will provide an alternative assignment with a reasonable due date.
Some assignments, by their nature, cannot be made up at another time. If that is the case, the teacher will provide an alternative assignment with a reasonable due date.
Teachers understand that sometimes things happen which are unexpected or out of the ordinary. It wouldn’t be possible to write a policy which covers every possible circumstance, and we know that there are times when students need extra help or more time. TALK to someone if that is the case. Teachers may be willing to grant further extensions or modify assignments, but they will only be able to do so if you tell them what is going on. Your counselor and program coordinator can assist, too.
Teachers understand that sometimes things happen which are unexpected or out of the ordinary. It wouldn’t be possible to write a policy which covers every possible circumstance, and we know that there are times when students need extra help or more time. TALK to someone if that is the case. Teachers may be willing to grant further extensions or modify assignments, but they will only be able to do so if you tell them what is going on. Your counselor and program coordinator can assist, too.
LATE WORK OVERVIEW
Short-term Assignments Homework & Classwork
Short-term Assignments Homework & Classwork
If absent, work must be submitted within 2 days for each day of absence in order to get full credit.
If work is late for other reasons or if the absence grace period is missed, it will be accepted until the end of the unit if student consults with teacher about it, plus there may be a penalty.
No work will be accepted after the Friday prior to that semester’s finals.
Long-term Assignments
Long-term Assignments
Assignments are due on their due date.
Work may be submitted up to one week late for 80% of the grade or up to two weeks late for 60% of the grade.
No work will be accepted after the Friday prior to that semester’s finals.
MONOLOGUE MAKEUP: For missed performance grades.
In-class Assessments
In-class Assessments
Teacher may require that assessment be done during class on first day back.
Student must meet with teacher upon return to schedule make-up date. Limited time is allowed for completion.
Teacher may give alternate version or comparable assignment.
Turning this page in, fully signed, is the first assignment in the gradebook
Turning this page in, fully signed, is the first assignment in the gradebook
(10 POINTS) DUE: Wednesday, August 12th
(10 POINTS) DUE: Wednesday, August 12th
Drama is a Visual and Performing Arts ("VAPA") graduation requirement. However, there are several options - from Sculpture to Photography. Please see that you (and your student) choose a class that interests them. This particular class requires that they are physically participating every single day.
Getting up in front of a class is challenging, but it also is great practice for those times in life for when you are required to present yourself in front of a group (like a job interview).
Drama Period
Student Name (please print)
Attendance is imperative. Nothing impacts your understanding of the material and your subsequent grade more than daily attendance.
Students: Your signature below acknowledges you have read, understood and have discussed the Class Syllabus with your parents/guardians.
Parents: Your signature below acknowledges that you have read the information contained on the class syllabus - especially the section, "Saying Sorry". Please have your student return this page with both of your signatures. Copy of the syllabus and rubrics are available on my school website.
Student Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: __________
Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone: ____________________ Parent/Guardian Email: __________________________________
Check one of the following boxes:
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _____________________________
Risk taking and self-efficacy
Those students that take risks in class will be the most successful. Taking risks in learning is an important way to learn and retain more because you are engaged in the learning. Because taking risks can produce anxiety; taking risks takes emotional bravery and grit. Both volunteering and making educated guesses takes this type of bravery and are ways to better the odds that you will come out with greater learning and understanding. The belief in yourself impacts your ability to take risks and succeed. My goal in teaching this class is to set you up for success, not failure. So taking risks in your learning and assessments will lead you to success. Success means that you excel and are one step closer to graduation!!!
Believe in yourself! Work hard! You are a success because you do your best!
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