Download Musical Theatre syllabus 2007

Course Number 1119
Mr. Jim Peerenboom
Lincoln High School
email: [email protected]
Musical Theatre 1-2
Course Description:
Students will explore the many facets of musical theatre through performance and research.
Through viewing, analyzing and critiquing musical theatre productions, the student will have a
greater understanding of what makes an effective musical theatre performance, and how to
improve their own work in theatre.
Units of study will include, but not be limited to:
 Auditioning for musical theatre
 History of the American musical
 Movement
 Viewpoints/acting styles
 Writing your own musical theatre piece
 Voice and vocal health
References/Text books:
There is no textbook for this course. Students will be provided with handouts, packets, and
scripts as needed.
Assessment/evaluation/grading policy:
The grading policy is as follows:
100-90% = A
89-80% = B
79-70% = C
69-60% = D
59-0% = F
Grades are not based on a curve. These percentages are based upon class work, participation,
homework and incentive points.
Student opportunities to meet CIM/CAM/PASS/CRLS/CRLE requirements:
Taking Musical Theatre will meet all requirements of the above-mentioned programs (example:
personal management, problem solving, communication, teamwork, employment foundations et
cetera).
Additional costs/materials:
Students will need to provide a three-ring binder with paper/dividers that can be used as an
actor’s journal during the course of the class. This should be separate from notebooks used in
other classes, as it will be turned in each week. In addition, field trip opportunities may arise to
see local performances at a discounted rate. Some financial assistance is available to those
students who cannot afford to attend these performances. If such an opportunity should arise,
students will be given advance notice.
Behavioral expectations:
 Please sit within the first four rows of seats in the center section of the auditorium.
 Don’t use put-downs—words such as “shut up” are not wanted or accepted. This
includes any sexist, racist or homophobic remarks.
 Take creative risks in your work—challenge yourself, don’t go for what is “safe”.
 Discipline yourself in regards to talking in class. Don’t talk when others are speaking.
 Keep your mind open to new ideas and the ideas of others—at least give it a try.
 Have a goal each day for what you want to accomplish and work to attain that goal.
 Work as an ensemble—add to someone else’s strengths, rather than being divisive. If a
problem occurs, either try to effectively work it out or come to me for intervention.
 Show initiative—don’t wait for a team member to do it for your. Take charge of a
situation and take responsibility before it is forced upon you.
 Come prepared to class—be sure that you have what is needed of you each day in class.
You will lose participation points if you are not prepared with all materials needed.
 Be at class on time every day. Excessive tardiness will result in your need to make up
that time outside of class. In addition, if it is discovered that you skipped a day of class,
you will not be allowed to make up that work.
 Leave electronic equipment (cell phones, Ipods etc.) in lockers or backpacks. If it is seen
by the instructor, it will be collected and sent to rm. 104 until the end of the day. If you
will need music from a media device for a class project, speak with the instructor for
permission to bring it in the room.
 Commit to what you are doing—be physically and mental present at all times.
 Work toward improving your performance. Where you are is not nearly as important to
me as where you have come from in regards to your performance level.
 Don’t pick up/play with things in the classroom that are not yours. Oftentimes there will
be props from other classes or an after-school production in the auditorium—DON’T
TOUCH THEM! This also goes for the piano—it is not to be played during class time.
 Don’t leave things a mess—using the costumes and props from the theatre department is
a privilege, not a right. If you abuse this privilege, you may forfeit your opportunity to
use them in class projects.
 If you should need to leave the room for any reason, check with me first and use the hall
pass.
 No food/drinks/gum in the auditorium other than water, except for special occasions.
Field Trips:
Each student must complete a “Blanket Field Trip Form”, which requires a parent/guardian
signature. This form will be provided by the instructor and will allow the student to leave the
campus during the class period. Separate forms will be used, should the student need to be gone
longer than the class period. Typical field trips might include tours of local theatres, performing
at area elementary schools and day cares, and matinee performances.
Additional:
 Script material for this class is not edited for students. If students/parents find language
or content questionable, another selection will be made upon request.
 There will be a final at the end of each semester. More information regarding the final
will be given at the appropriate time.
 Each student is required to earn 200 “incentive points” per quarter. See the sheet titled
“Incentive Points” for more information, or ask the instructor.
 Accommodations for special needs students and TAG will be made as needed.