My Class Website

Advanced Drama

Instructor: Ms. Shalico Sain

Phone: 949-831-3143

Room: 1003

Website: http://www.anhsdrama.com and http://alisoniguel.com/staff/SLSain/index.html

Course Description:

Throughout the course of this year, students in this class will examine various aspects of Theatre in effort to answer the question of "Why people create theatre?" Students will engage in various methods of study including research, textual analysis, acting, directing, design, and dramaturgy.

Students will receive practical acting experience in the form of theatre games, ensemble work, improvisational exercises and rehearsed monologue and scene work to be presented in class. Additionally, there will be work in class in the following areas: voice and diction, imagination, awareness, listening, improvisation, and defining and developing character objectives, actions, and textual conflicts.

Students will learn historical and cultural context of theatre through their study of the Greeks, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Brecht, Kushner, Artaud, Beckett, Shepard, Boal, Kabuki, Noh, and Balinese Theatre (to name just a few).

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION in exercises and discussion as well as a POSITIVE ATTITUDE & OPEN MIND are crucial for success in this course.

Course Work

Every six weeks, students will perform a scene or monologue based on the current area of study. A typed character, scene, and play analysis, due the first day of each scene presentation, is required for each presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: Rehearsals outside of class time are strongly encouraged. Theatre is a cooperative, collaborative art, and scene partners are responsible to each other. It is imperative that you show up on time, and are well prepared for your rehearsals. Learning lines is considered homework, NOT rehearsal or in-class work.

Character, Scene, Play Analysis:

For each monologue or scene presented formally in class, you are expected to complete a thorough character, scene, and play analysis. Additional instruction and guidelines will be given in class. As a rule, never, ever, perform a scene or monologue without reading the entire play.

Production Analysis: Students are also required to attend all ANHS Theatre productions. A short production analysis and participation in a classroom post production discussion are also required. Should you be cast in these productions, an alternate, performance report will be assigned.

Required Performances:

Fall Play: Rehearsal For Murder , Nov 18, 19, 20, 21, 2008

Spring Musical: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,

April 17, 18, 23, 24, 25.

Production Analysis guidelines:

Overall impressions and opinions of the production. Please comment briefly on how the costumes, sets, lighting & sound helped create the mood and tone of the piece as well as conveyed the plays theme.
Additionally, choose one actor and comment on his/her performance. Was it believable? What contributed to their effectiveness or lack-thereof. Be specific. Focus on the actor's skills & technique (delivery, voice, diction, movement) rather than outside influences (I.E. costumes, set, etc.)
Your paper should be a minimum of one page, typed, 12 pt font.

3 Ring Binder: Since we do not have a textbook for Advanced Drama, students are required to a three ring binder. I will be distributing many handouts and packets. Students are responsible for this material on quizzes, tests, and finals. It is imperative that you stay organized and keep a copy of all handouts received in class.

Quizzes: Scheduled and pop-quizzes will occur intermittently throughout the semester.

Midterm: The midterm will be an in-class written exam.

Final: A written exam and final presentation

Formal Essay: Develop a thesis based on research as to why people create theatre. Throughout the semester, students will take notes and engage in research that provides an in-depth exploration of the role of theatre in past and present cultures. Students will synthesize this information, developing their own theory on the role of purpose of theatre using historical evidence to support their theory.

End of the Year Final: (for students enrolled the entire year)

Student Directed One-Acts: Students will participate in the production of a one-act play, choosing the role of director, designer, dramaturg, or actor. OR Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre.

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance & Punctuality:

IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE TO BE LATE FOR THIS CLASS. Theatre is a discipline and this class is run accordingly. In Theatre, "Being on time means arriving 10 minutes early." Class will start promptly when the bell rings; any late arrivals are a disruption. Please be respectful and courteous to your classmates by arriving on time.

Additionally, as much of our work in class is partner-work, please avoid unnecessary absences, especially on performance days. Your partners are relying on you and your participation and attendance directly affects both your grade and the grades of your partners.

Dress:

You must be in suitable clothing and ready to work when class begins. This class is interactive. Many activities will require floor & partner work. I strongly urge you to avoid tight-fitting clothes, skirts, flip-flops, and heels, which will restrict your movement. Loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes are highly recommended. If necessary, bring an extra set of clothes to change into before class begins. If changing clothes, you must be dressed and ready for class when the bell rings. If a student attends class in clothing that prohibits their participation in class activities they will lose their participation points for that day.

EXTRA CREDIT: 10 points extra credit may be earned by attending a theatre production outside of ANHS. You may attend up to three (3) different performances for a total of thirty (30) points extra credit. In order to receive credit, you must write a two-page production analysis consisting of:

a description of the theatre space and whether or not it added or detracted from the performance.
a brief synopsis/summary (this should be no longer than 3-4 sentences)
An original ticket stub and program.
Play analysis guidelines.

Additional Class Policies

Students must bring all required materials needed for class each day.
Promptness is required. You must be present and ready to work when the bell rings.
Absolutely no drinks, food, or gum of any kind is allowed in the theatre or classroom.
The theatre and classroom will be left neat and clean after each class and students will take the time before the end of class to ensure this.
Littering or tampering with set, props, decorations, furnishings, costumes, equipment or props in the theatre or storage rooms will not be tolerated.
Stealing and vandalism will not be tolerated. All incidents will be reported to the assistant principals.
Participation in all activities is required.

Grade Policy & Procedures: You will receive a variety of assignments and class activities in which you will be graded on; including but not limited to: daily participation, formal and informal performances/presentations, worksheets, essays, analyses. Each assignment will be designated a point value. I use a total point assessment for determining your grade.

98-100%	A+	74-77%	C
94-97%	A	70-73%	C-
90-93%	A-	68-69%	D+
88-89%	B+	64-67%	D
84-87%	B	60-63%	D-
80-83%	B-	59% & Below	F
78-79%	C+

LATE WORK: All homework is due at the beginning of each class period. Late work is strongly discouraged! Any work not turned in during the class period is considered late and will automatically be reduced to ½ credit. You have two-weeks after an assignment is due in order to submit late work. After two-weeks, you will receive a ZERO on that assignment and you will not be allowed to make it up.

Grading Scale

Daily Class Participation and Warm-Up Rubric

6 pts- Exceptional Achievement

Actor is always silent and focused during warm-up and class activities
Actor completely, physically commits him/herself to the warm-up and acting exercises
Actor willingly works with new partners
Actor productively uses all of the time provided for working on class assignments
Actor never chews gum or eats candy during class time
Actor never talks or is otherwise distracting during class activities

5 pts- Commendable Achievement

Actor is silent and focused most of the time during warm-up
Actor physically commits him/herself to the warm-up and acting exercises
Actor works well with new partners
Actor uses all of the time provided for working on class assignments
Actor rarely chews gum or eats candy during class time
Actor rarely talks or is otherwise distracting during class activities

4 pts- Adequate Achievement

Actor is silent and focused a majority of the time during warm-up
Actor always does the warm-up and acting exercises
Actor tries to work with new partners
Actor uses most of the time provided for working on class assignments
Actor sometimes chews gum or eats candy during class time, but willingly throws it away when reminded.
Actor sometimes talks or is otherwise distracting during class activities, but only needs to be reminded once to be quiet.

3 pts-Some Evidence of Achievement

Actor is silent some of the time during class activities
Actor does the warm-up and acting exercises, most of the time, half-heartedly
Actor shows some reluctance working with new partners
Actor uses some of the time provided for working on class assignments
Actor often chews gum or eats candy during class time
Actor has to be reminded several times not to talk or be otherwise distracting when others are performing or teacher describes activities

2 pts-Little Evidence of Achievement

Actor has great difficulty staying silent during class activities
Actor reluctantly does warm-up and acting exercises
Actor has difficulty working with new partners
Actor wastes most of the time provided for working on class assignments
Actor has to be regularly reminded not to chew gum or eat candy during class time
Actor has to be reminded several times not to talk or be otherwise distracting when others are performing or teacher describes activities.

I look forward to an incredibly engaging, productive year in Advanced Drama. Theatre is a collaborative art that builds community. To have a successful program requires commitment, desire, and responsibility. As a student in Advanced Drama, you will get out as much as you put in. I am dedicated to creating a solid theatre program at ANHS where students are allowed to learn, explore, and grow as artists. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Parents and Students:

I have read and understand the expectations of this course. Education is a partnership between parents, students, and teachers. I understand that if at any time I require extra assistance, or have any questions or concerns, I can contact the teacher for help. Additionally, I will do my part to come to class prepared and keep track of class assignments and my grades via the class website**.

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Student Name (Print) Student Signature

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Parent Name (Print) Parent Signature

**Homework will be updated on the website on a daily basis. Grades and attendance will be updated at least once every two (2) weeks.