Embedded Files
"Acting is the ability to live truthfully under the given imaginary circumstances."
Sanford Meisner, Meisner on Acting"Acting is the ability to live truthfully under the given imaginary circumstances."
"Theatre education teaches the entire human." Art Almquist, former THMS Theatre Teacher
Welcome to Intermediate Theatre Arts 3 & 4!
Welcome to Intermediate Theatre Arts 3 & 4!
If you’re here, you’ve mastered your introduction to Beginning Theatre Arts, been on stage in the Little Theater or Blackbox and have proved your mastery and desire. Congratulations! But now the real work begins.
Theatre is an experiential artform: to master it, we need to do a lot of it. This year-long course is designed for students not only with prior experience in theatre, but also for the future actor who is driven by inner motivation.
This class is a prerequisite for Musical Theatre, Film Acting and Advanced Theatre.
This year’s experience is going to be an exciting adventure! I’m looking very forward to getting back into the theater with all of you!
SCHOOL YEAR 2025 - 2026
SCHOOL YEAR 2025 - 2026
Q2: Heightened Acting: Building Character through Voice and Body
Q2: Heightened Acting: Building Character through Voice and Body
Q3: Realistic Acting: Building Character through Inner Motivation
Q3: Realistic Acting: Building Character through Inner Motivation
Q4: Brecht
Q4: Brecht
There are two components to Intermediate Online:
There are two components to Intermediate 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.
COURSE GOALS
COURSE GOALS
- Students will carry out the duties of designer, director and performer
- Students will learn a general overview of theatre history
- Students will work individually and in collaboration with their ensemble, practicing collaboration skills and skills of saying yes
- Students will analyze play structure for performance clues and be introduced to dramaturgical research skills
- Students will add a variety of popular acting styles to their performance skills
- Students will stage, perform and analyze the meaning of 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 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 do not post to social media or share without consent
Be mindful of your clothing choices (keep it school appropriate)
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.
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. Research supports students who attend class regularly and punctually, leads to an effective learning environment and increased student achievement. Punctuality is a basic expectation of student responsibility, yet it is important that all stakeholders understand their role in enforcing the following tardy policy so we can make a collaborative effort to ensure students arrive to class on time ready to learn.
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 TBD
Media presented in Intermediate 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. BONUS: journals are never late. Just get them done before I turn in grades at the end of each semester. Advanced Drama requires a journal to be kept throughout the intermediate year.
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.
Sometimes theatre class can be overwhelming. Whatever your reason, you may Opt Out of our lessons for the day.
Just let me know you need a break,
find a quiet place in our theater,
scan/click the QR code and fill it out in place of participation credit.
Take Care of Yourself.
Take Care of Yourself.
MAKE UP POINTS
MAKE UP POINTS
If you miss a performance, it is your responsibility to schedule a make-up. If for any reason you are not able to perform, I offer an essay prompt (specific to class, quarter and grade level; available on the website) which you can complete independently in place of performance, to be turned in on an agreed-upon date.
Make up essays are used in place of end-of-quarter performance finals. If for any reason you've missed a quarter performance final and there's no possibility to perform (we can't replicate the original performance final, for example), EMAIL ME to let me know you'll be completing an essay. Requirements and prompts are to the left; there's two pages.
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)
If you miss a group scene performance in intermediate 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 250-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
Intermediate 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 THREE full, extra-curricular productions throughout the year. THMS Theatre Dept. Productions are not attached to a grade in your class, although you will be encouraged to audition and participate.
If your plan is to move on to Advanced Drama, there are some additional requirements to your letter grade:
If your plan is to move on to Advanced Drama, there are some additional requirements to your letter grade:
BACKSTAGE
Student demonstrates success in keeping up with assignments and deadlines
Student has kept a journal throughout intermediate drama
Student has lines memorized and is confident with them by deadline
Student has participated in all end-of-quarter performance finals and earned a grade equal to/greater than an 80% for each quarter final
Student demonstrates the ability to foster a colleagueship with his/her ensemble/partner(s)
Student demonstrates a strong rehearsal ethic (using independent class time wisely and efficiently)
Student has a solid attendance record with minimal absences
ONSTAGE
Student is able to speak in a strong, supported voice so that he/she can be easily heard by an audience
Student demonstrates an ability to utilize vocal levels and range to help create character and truth in a scene
Student’s analysis/understanding of play, role, character, and theory is effective during performance
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.
"The purpose of technique is to free the unconcious."
David Mamet"The purpose of technique is to free the unconcious."
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