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"Sometimes study and thought can help an actor to eliminate the preconceptions that blind him to deeper meanings, but sometimes it is the reverse. To reach an understanding of a difficult role, an actor must go to the limits of his personality and intelligence - but sometimes great actors go farther still if they rehearse the words and at the same time listen acutely to the echoes that arise in them."
Peter Brook, The Empty Space"Sometimes study and thought can help an actor to eliminate the preconceptions that blind him to deeper meanings, but sometimes it is the reverse. To reach an understanding of a difficult role, an actor must go to the limits of his personality and intelligence - but sometimes great actors go farther still if they rehearse the words and at the same time listen acutely to the echoes that arise in them."
"Theatre education teaches the entire human." Art Almquist, former THMS Theatre Teacher
Welcome to Advanced Theatre Arts 5, 6 & 7, 8!
Welcome to Advanced Theatre Arts 5, 6 & 7, 8!
Welcome back to your theater. If you’re here, you’ve mastered your introduction to Beginning Theatre Arts, you've explored theatrical style & theories in intermediate, and have a continued interest in the artform. I'm looking forward to pushing on the boundaries of your talent and prepping you for a possible career in theatre arts.
Advanced theatre is not just any elective: you will be expected to memorize, to perform, to audition for all extra-curriculars. The time commitment to advanced drama will rival your core classes. This year-long course is designed for students ambitious and curious enough to pursue a career either as performer, teacher or practitioner. Theatre isn't just an artform, it's a discipline that provides structure (answers?) for Real Life.
This class is for the sneaker-inners, the theatre kids, the ones that have found their thing, and it's theatre. This class is repeatable: it offers two years' worth of content, but one year doesn't rely on the other.
SCHOOL YEAR 2025 - 2026
SCHOOL YEAR 2025 - 2026
Q2: Theatre of the Absurd
Q2: Theatre of the Absurd
Q3: Meisner
Q3: Meisner
Q4: Advanced Showcase
Q4: Advanced Showcase
There are two components to Advanced Online:
There are two components to Advanced Online:
www.thmstheatreonline.com
www.thmstheatreonline.com
Head to the website for content, assignments, journal prompts, contact info, class news.
Canvas
Canvas
Head to Canvas to turn in assignments (incl. journals).
The journal is a tool- like your cell phone, but much more versatile- you use to solve challenges your life/art puts at your feet. Although not turned in for credit, every successful artist EVER kept a journal. It’s not about grades, it’s about mastery. Advanced Drama requires a journal to be kept throughout the intermediate year.
Click here or click title above for journal prompts.
COURSE GOALS
COURSE GOALS
- Students will elaborate on the duties of designer, director as well as performer
- Students will continue an overview of theatre history
- Students will work individually and in collaboration with their ensemble, refining their collaboration skills and their skills of saying yes
- Students will analyze advanced play structure as well as practice dramaturgical research skills
- Students will add a variety of advanced acting styles to their performance skills
- Students will stage, perform and analyze published and original scripted performances
A $50.00 activity fee paid to the business office is required for this class to pay for props, costumes, playtexts, guest artists, set pieces, art materials, etc. Please direct any questions/concerns to our finance manager.
A $50.00 activity fee paid to the business office is required for this class to pay for props, costumes, playtexts, guest artists, set pieces, art materials, etc. Please direct any questions/concerns to our finance manager.
EXPECTATIONS FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
EXPECTATIONS FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
It's not about compliance anymore.
It is important to be mindful of what it means to be a supportive ensemble member. Here are some mindful practices we will follow in our class:
Actively engage in conversations and activities
Be aware of strong language. Unless it’s in a play and we have consent to do so, there’s no cursing in this classroom.
Don’t post or share (even privately) inappropriate material
Get permission before video recording, audio recording or photographing, and will not post to social media or share without consent
Don't just be mindful of your clothing choices, I insist you wear clothes that don't restrict your movement.
You are responsible for your own belongings. Bags, books, etc. are to be left on the benches against the wall when you enter the theater.
Don't like what I'm teaching? Vote.
If you want different content than what I have planned, as an ensemble I have 40% of the vote, the class has 60%. That means X needs to agree to change what we do.
Food and drink are not allowed in the theater and will result in either being put way or thrown away. Any spills or trash left in the room are the responsibility of the students. There's no gum allowed in ANY THEATER on THMS campus.
If late, please check in with me to correct attendance.
Passes for the bathroom or water are given after the initial 15 minutes of class up to the final 15 minutes of class. One student is allowed to go out at a time unless it’s a special exception. Your ID is your hallpass; be prepared to scan when out.
Defamation of the structure of the theater including but not limited to graffiti, property destruction, stealing, smoking, feet on the chairs or unauthorized access will result in an immediate ban from advanced drama activities; student will be put on a writing-based curricula they can accomplish during class or on their own time.
Cell phones belong in your bag from bell to bell. Students may not keep devices on their person during class.
Students are NOT allowed backstage of the Little Theater without express permission from Mr. Martinez
Parents/Guardians: please do not call your student during class. For any emergencies, you can reach your student through the main office at 225-5000 or 225-5002.
THMS TARDY POLICY
THMS TARDY POLICY
Tucson High Magnet School believes academic success is achieved by students making the most of instructional time and attending class on a regular basis.
Our time is precious, and if you don't know what's going on, you slow us down.
If you're not present- physically or mentally- it kills the work.
by the 3rd tardy:
Dean of students contactParent contactDocumentation in synergyby the 6th tardy:
Parent contactReferralRestorative ConferenceISI (1 day) assigned by dean of students10+ tardies:
ReferralParent ConferenceAppropriate Discipline TBDThe Best. Not just Tucson High Best.
The Best. Not just Tucson High Best.
THMS Theatre Department has not only earned the title of the Best High School Drama Program in the city, but has been nationally recognized as an Excellent Theatre Program. Advanced Students- future Actors, Teachers and Practitioners- owe it to themselves to practice Excellence. The expectations above are the bare minimum. This is YOUR stage. This is YOUR program. In addition to above,
- You will be on time.
- You will practice focus and master In The Moment.
- You will put work first, ego second.
- You will be prepared when expected.
- You will work with beginning and intermediate students and provide a positive influence.
- You will strive to be an excellent, disciplined example of an Artist first, a Badger second.
- You will practice colleagueship through respectful collaboration, practicing consent, and clapping in appreciation of work.
- You are expected to join the THMS Theatre Club.
YOU GET 3.
YOU GET 3.
Any behavior Mr. Martinez deems unbecoming of the THMS Theatre Dept. will earn a strike against the student; upon 3 strikes, the student will be switched to a writing-based curriculum they can accomplish during class or on their own time. (Disrespect/defamation of any theatre space will be an immediate switch to writing-based curriculum.)
Media presented in Advanced Theatre Arts will adhere to an MPAA rating of PG-13; however, art knows no bounds. If I feel your arts education will benefit from an R-rated movie, an equivalent play, book, etc., a rationale will be provided to THMS administration and parents along with a permission slip indicating parental consent. Permission must be granted by an adult regardless of student age.
GRADING POLICY
GRADING POLICY
50% PARTICIPATION, or “WEDO” TIME. Each class period will start with a vocal 2 point quiz when I say ‘Good Morning/Afternoon’ and you respond in a strong, supported voice. If you don’t respond or are not here, you miss those points. Another 2 points are available if you participate in the day’s experience. The basic guidelines: be here, be present, explore theatre!
40% PERFORMANCE/ASSIGNMENT, or “UDO” TIME. You are not assessed by how “good” of an actor you are; rather, you are assessed by the EFFORT you make. Show me your best work, I’ll give you feedback to help you grow as an artist. Minimal effort comes in many forms but it’s all easy to spot.
Quarter Performances will be graded with a rubric specific to the performance style, provided at the top of each quarter.
Assignments will be graded by completion, and you will be provided feedback. This category includes the occasional, low-stress dramaturgy (research) assignment, kahoot! quiz, etc.
10% JOURNAL ENTRY, or “UDO” TIME. The journal is a tool- like your cell phone, but much more versatile- you use to solve challenges your life/art puts at your feet. Every successful artist EVER kept a journal. I’ll be sharing a weekly prompt and I accept ANY medium of response (typing, voice recording, youtube, flipgrid, etc). Journals will be graded by completion. Journals are due a week after they're assigned.
PARENT VUE/STUDENT VUE
PARENT VUE/STUDENT VUE
Grades are updated weekly to ParentVue/StudentVue. I use the “public comments” box to provide modest feedback on grades. If you’d like more detailed notes or there’s a discrepancy please contact me to resolve the issue.
COLLEAGUESHIP and CONSENT
COLLEAGUESHIP and CONSENT
Our artform relies on a student actor’s commitment to honoring the facts of the script. For actors, that sometimes means pretending to be mortal enemies, or pretending to be in love. As actors, we must have an understanding of respect for each other and being a professional. In theater, for instance, you may be in a scene where you will need to touch, hug, kiss, tickle, etc. another person. Your work on-stage doesn’t mean you have consent off-stage to touch hug, kiss, tickle, etc. that person. Consent from your fellow human beings is required. As a part of your ensemble, you agree that you will respect the boundaries of each person in our class. “I was just joking” does not rectify overstepping a boundary with a fellow human being.
When community agreements have not been followed, harm has occurred, and/or a student's boundaries have been crossed, the students involved will be referred to their counselor and/or the Dean of Students to rectify the issue, and an immediate ban from Advanced Drama activities.
Unlike Beginning or Intermediate, you get...
ONE opt-out day during Q1,
TWO opt-out days during Q2,
THREE during Q3, and
FOUR during Q4.
If you don't use it, you lose it. Any additional opt-outs will result in banishment from group activities. Students will get an alternate, writing-based curricula they can accomplish during class or on their own time.
Take Care of Yourself.
Take Care of Yourself.
Sup, Essay: EOQ ESSAYS LINK
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSAYS:
typed, double-spaced, 12pt., TNL font
name, period and class in upper left corner of first page
page numbers
email me a PDF (no .doc, .pages, no google links)
To be clear, if you miss a performance - onstage or in the audience - you only get 3. I don't expect to have to receive make-up work in an advanced class. If you miss a group scene performance in advanced drama, there's two options:
Convince your group to perform again; if your group is willing, I'll decide whether or not your make-up is worth the rest of the ensemble's time (due to scheduling this may not work).
Write a 300-word analysis of another group's performance and how their performance satisfied the assignment. Due a week from original performance date.
Quarter Performances: If you miss our final performances at the ends of the quarters, the link to the end-of-the-quarter essays to the left provides an essay prompt and requirements for submission. In addition to the requirements to the left, EOQ essays have more stipulations. READ REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY: if you don't meet them, I won't read it.
Participation Points - awarded for your participation with and support for your ensemble - can be earned back at your discretion through working with or supporting your ensemble.
PERFORMANCES
PERFORMANCES
Advanced Drama has formal performances at the end of each quarter, to which I'll invite guests to enjoy your work. These performances will be during the day, in full costume, fully memorized, and with a marked set.
In addition, THMS Theatre Dept. traditionally performs ONE full, extra-curricular production each semester. THMS Theatre Dept. Productions are not attached to a grade in your class, although you will be encouraged to audition and participate.
After you've reviewed the syllabus, please fill out the Syllabus Acknowledgement for credit. QR code link here ---->
If you require a hardcopy please download from the following link.
DUE AUGUST 20, 2025.
suggested_reading.pdfPlays You Should Know
Plays You Should Know
Attached is a valuable document I received from Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department under the direction of the late Sheldon Patinkin. Colleagues and I had competed to read all the plays on the list: it was pretty easy in Chicago due to the Harold Washington Library and its ENTIRE 8th floor dedicated to playtexts.
Amazon has gotten better over the years but you can't beat Samuel French and Dramatists' Play Service for cheap copies of ANY play. Happy Reading, Schooled Actors.
"The purpose of technique is to free the unconcious."
David Mamet"The purpose of technique is to free the unconcious."
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