Mr. Wright's Drama Class at Morrill Middle School
Monday, March 14, 2011
Prepare to give your speech for tomorrow.
I'll be paying attention to
1. posture
2. diction
3. projection
4. content
5 structure
6. eye contact
Do no end your speech by saying "The end," or "In conclusion."
Do not "eat your final words."
Your speech is to be about you.
Tell us your name, your grade level, what your favorite subject is and why, your least favorite subject and why, what you like to do in your free time, and what your future plans are.
Drama Project
--to be performed on Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Choices:
1. Develop a short, two character play. One character is a pet cat, dog, bird or hamster. The other character is a person. The person has been away on vacation and just returns home. The pet reacts to their master being gone and leaving him/her alone for a long time and now returning. The pet in this play can talk.
2. Take a portion of the script of Romeo and Juliet. Memorize the lines, practice it, and perform it. The portion of the script may have just one character or two or several. Some of the the packets have a 6 page script at the end of them. These are the scripts are you to use. You may not change or eliminate any of the words.
3. Those students in Midnight Shakespeare will perform all of their lines and the lines will be memorized.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
We've been studying Romeo and Juliet.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
New project: "Old and Young"
Two actors. Only two.
One over 80; the other, under 5.
Length: 60-120 seconds.
Setting: Waiting for a bus, waiting for a train, crossing a busy street, sharing a meal, playing a board game, or playing cards.
After the play is performed, the play is performed again with the actors switching parts.
Every group needs an index card filled out with the names of both cast members.
Each cast needs to give me a script.
The script for both plays must be the same.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Period A will start performing their play on Wednesday, January 12.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Next play:
A Teenager's Tragedy
Cast:
Mother
Father
Child
Child's friend or friends
Optional Characters:
Doctor
Paramedics
Police
Neighbors
Plot:
Child, unhappy with home life, turns to drugs.
Child overdoses.
Parents are sorry they were the cause.
December 3, 2010
Today in class we watched a few YouTube videos about pantomime and then we started in our first pantomime project.
Students have two choices.
Choice number one: You open a door and pick up a heavy box and leave. Before you enter the room. You call the person on a cell phone or he calls you. This can be modified for a one person performance.
Choice number two: You open a door, enter a store, shoplift and get caught. This can be a one or two person project. Both mimes have to open a door.
You will have about 15-20 minutes of rehearsal time on Monday befor groups will be called on.
December 2, 2010
Today in class we watched a YouTube video on pantomimes by Jerry Lewis and we worked on our presentations.
December 1, 2010
Today in class we had some presentations.
Most students did well.
One problem that cropped up was "eating your final words."
November 30, 2010
Today we reviewed the areas of the stage and we talked about method acting.
We also talked about common pitfalls of student actors:
breaking character
facing the audience
voice loudness
body control
We started the 12-30 second introductions which we will resume tomorrow.
November 29, 2010
Today in class I talked about grading.
-- Daily participation. ("Waiting" is doing nothing which results in a low grade. Never wait.)
-- Performance.
-- Cooperation/behavior.
Laughing is a sign that a person is not working.
Touching is not allowed during rehearsal--only during performance.
I gave out a media release form and a classroom management plan.
I talked about the parts of the stage. What's up and down. What's right and left.
wings
apron
orchestra pit
Upstaging is a verb. When it's used.
Cross
Counter-cross
breaking character
staying in character
Why people break character.
Take the drama test! (You might pass even if you've never had drama.)
Mr. Wright's
Classroom Management Plan
Drama
2010-2011
Communication
It's important that students, teachers and parents all work together so good communication is essential.
The best way to contact me is via email at mr.wright@roomC6.com. You can also call me at923-1800 ext. 4036.
To stay informed about homework, visit the classroom website at roomC6.com and follow the link to Drama
Homework
Students will have homework from time to time. Homework will always be posted on the classroom website.
Late Work
Late work may be turned in one day late for half credit. After that, late work will not be accepted.
Extra Credit
Students may make an appointment to see me after school to discuss current grade status and extra credit opportunities. Extra credit is an effective way to raise a poor grade but the work will be twice as demanding and it should be undertaken well in advance of the grading cut-off date.
Grading
Grading is based on effort and academic progress toward meeting district standards.
Shyness might be a challenge but it will never be accepted as an excuse.
Though drama is an elective, rigourous effort will still be expected.
Goals
Goals for the class include improving
public speaking
storytelling
poetry and speech declamation
memorization skills
play structure
media analysis
stage technique
stagecraft
acting basics
play writing
group cooperation
creative expression
Discipline
Students are held to a high standard of behavior. They are expected to arrive on time, stay seated, keep their hands to themselves and pay attention. Students are also expected to be courteous and to treat each other with respect. The classroom will be free of bullying and verbal ridicule of any kind. It will be an environment that is both physically safe and emotionally safe.
Students who chew gum or arrive late to class late will serve detention. Students who are out of uniform will be referred to the vice principal.
Only materials required for the lesson will be allowed on the desktop. Backpacks must remain on the floor and students may not access them unless directed to do so.