WHS TECHNICAL THEATRE SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW

Technical Theatre is an introductory course in the fundamentals of theatre technology. The course provides students with an over-view of the backstage elements of the theatrical process. Students are involved in creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to express themselves and their creativity. Technical Theatre holds students to a high standard of respect and participation. Students will:

• Learn how to stage manage a production from rehearsal to performance
• Experiment with designing and constructing a variety of technical elements, including: scenery, lights, sound, costumes, and make-up
• Analyze scripts for technical needs
• Learn to critique technical elements in a production using appropriate terminology and evaluation criteria
• Learn to work with a director and other designers to create technical elements that are aligned to a specific vision

REPORTING

This course’s final grade will be based upon competency demonstrated in seven major skill areas. Some assignments will assess more than one skill set and grades will be broken down into PowerSchool accordingly.

• SKILL 1: Creating – 33%: Students will be able to use a text to conceptualize, justify, and design a variety of technical elements to fit with a production’s style, concept, and limitations.
• SKILL 2: Analyzing – 33%: Students will be able to analyze and justify the appropriateness of technical elements based on story, personal experience, culture, and time period.
• SKILL 3: Producing – 33%: Students will be able to plan and construct a variety of technical elements collaboratively and safely to fit a production concept.

Each assignment will be graded with a rubric that indicates the skills assessed within that assignment; each skill will be given a score using the tier below. This will equate to a traditional letter grade in PowerSchool. Because learning is a process that takes time, please know that your grade for the course may or may not begin where you had hoped at the start of the semester; it is my fervent belief that as you grow and progress in my class, your grade will increasingly become reflective of your skill set. My goal is that your grade ON THE LAST DAY OF CLASS is the one that most reflects your skill set; remember, reteaching and continued learning will result in an increased understanding of skills. Reassessment gives you the chance to display that increased understanding.

• SC – Secure: Student can apply the skill or concept correctly and independently. You can wake me up in the middle of the night and I will still be able to rock this task.
• DV – Developing: Student shows some understanding. Reminders, hints, and suggestions are needed to promote understanding. I can do this with a little bit of help.
• BG – Beginning: Student shows little understanding of the concept. Additional teacher support is needed. I can do this but I need a lot of help or re-teaching to do it better.
• ID – Insufficient Data (overall course grade changes to an ID until satisfactory work is submitted): Student has not provided enough information for the teacher to properly assess my level of understanding of the skill or concept. I don’t know how to do this yet OR I didn’t complete the work in a way that allows you to see that I know how to do this.
• Assignments flagged with an “M” or a gold box in PowerSchool are Missing and have not been submitted. These are also given an “ID” until submitted.
• Students consistently scoring at the “Secure” level will have an opportunity to develop a differentiated plan to move their skills to an “Exceeds” level. The district definition for this tier is defined as follows:
  • EE – Exceeds: Student demonstrates above grade level understanding for the targeted skill or concept. I will absolutely blow you away with my ability to do this skill or apply this concept! (NOTE: Understand that the goal is to get EVERY student to a “Secure”, meaning they correctly understand and use the skills taught in class. An “Exceeds” will be reserved for a demonstration of skills that surpasses Speech I standards.)

Course grades will accurately communicate only academic achievement of the standards. (For more information about our district’s view of this method of reporting grades, please visit this page.) The areas of work completion and timeliness (missing and late work with Power School codes) will be reported through Power School. All assignments should be completed on time and with one’s best effort.

ONGOING PRACTICE

Students will be asked to show their understanding of learning targets on a daily basis and in a number of ways. These tasks will help a teacher determine a student’s progress toward proficiency. The expectation is that students will complete all work as assigned, regardless of whether or not it will be calculated into the course grade. Assignments may be resubmitted to show further understanding, but students must go through the proper process of reflection, practice, and resubmission.

RELEARNING AND ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Relearning and ongoing assessment are an important part of the learning process. Students will be given the opportunity to reassess at any time throughout the semester. In order to reassess, a student must complete the following:

1. Complete all homework assigned during that unit.
2. Communicate with Mr. Jorgensen to get feedback on the initial assignment and select a due date for the redo assignment.

WHAT IF I AM ABSENT?

Communication is key! Reach out and connect with Mr. Jorgensen via email or in person to see what you have missed. Please schedule a time before or after school for reteaching as necessary. If you are absent on the day of your scheduled presentation, be prepared to present the very next day that you return to class. (Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.)

STANDARDS

BENCHMARKS