Drama

Welcome to Drama! This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore many facets of theater. There will be a progression from building trust and focus, to pantomime, to voice activities, to improvisation, and finally, to monologue and one-act play performances. We will also have a Drama Night at the end of the semester on Thursday, January 16th, at 6pm when friends and family can come see the students perform.

Course Activities

The following activities will provide the focal point of the course. Students will:

Establish concentration and focus
Use body language to express mood, time, and place
Experiment with voice intonation and projection
Brainstorm and implement various approaches to performing/expressing particular role playing situations
Create characters, situations, and settings verbally and non-verbally
Act out impromptu situations without a script
Interpret the written word
Memorize lines and perform scenes in a group and individually
Present lip-synchs, readings, monologues, and one-act plays
Participate in Drama Night

Expectations

As performance and participation are key in this course, I expect all students to participate, encourage and respect one another, cooperate, and focus on the task at hand. Being a respectful audience member is a crucial element of this course, just as important as performing. Students are expected to be attentive and affirming audience members and are encouraged to learn as much as possible from their peers. Wearing appropriate clothing to class (clothes that can be easily moved in) and avoiding negative stereotypes, inappropriate subject matter, and sarcasm while working in class are also essential. If these expectations are violated, class participation points will be deducted and/or disciplinary action will be taken.

These are the consequences of violating our class contract and school rules:

First offense – loss of participation point, whole class reminder
Second offense – loss of participation point, student/teacher conference, seat change, call home, or detention
Third offense – loss of participation point, phone call home, referral to office, possible activities/privileges revoked

For chronic or serious problems students will be sent directly to the office.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones are to be off or in airplane mode, and therefore, are not to be used for communication--texting, calling, emailing, or using social media. Cell phones will be placed in the pocket chart on their way into class each day. The use of electronic devices is prohibited during class time unless given permission by the teacher, in which case, cell phones may be used to do research for a skit or project or to provide sound effects for scenes. However, students may not record, video, or take a picture of another student or staff member without prior written consent. If cell phones are used inappropriately, they will be confiscated and sent to the office.

Grading

Grades in this class will be based on participation, listening (audience), effort, and overall performance. The grades are weighted: Performances are worth 40%, participation is worth 40%, and written work, quizzes, and homework are worth 20%. Because this course is largely based on acting, students are expected to put forth maximum effort. Participation points are given each week. These can be lost if a student does not participate, talks during others’ presentations, is off-task during rehearsal time, is inappropriate, or is disrespectful. Specific performance guidelines will be given for each assignment.

I look forward to an exciting and inspiring semester in drama!

Advanced Drama is offered second semester and features a full length play.

2017's production of Hard Luck