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Theatre II MS
Course Syllabus
2016-2017
Ms. Leslie Ousley, Instructor/Director
Room 506A
[email protected]
**best means of communication**
“The theatre is a spiritual and social X-ray of its
time. The theatre was created to tell people the
truth about life and the social situation."
-Stella Adler
Darnell-Cookman Mission Statement:
To prepare students for collegiate success through a rigorous college preparatory
curriculum integrated with professional medical standards emphasizing integrity, the
pursuit of academic excellence, and a passion for life-long learning.
Honor Code:
Students at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School, School of the Medical Arts will be
expected to uphold the four benchmarks of our school and place high value on
intellectual rigor and academic standards.
• Honesty – When students practice honesty, the result is fairness for everyone.
• Respect – Respect is treating others as we would like to be treated. In an environment
of respect, work we call our own, is our own.
• Responsibility – Responsibility is the quality of being accountable for our actions and
accepting the consequences of our actions.
• Integrity – Integrity is a commitment to a value even when others are not present to
witness it.
Enrollment at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School requires a commitment to these
principles. Students are expected to acknowledge fully and in detail the work, thought, or
ideas of another person if incorporated in work submitted for assessment; to submit
separate pieces of work in fulfillment of the requirements of different components (i.e.
research papers); to ensure that the work is their own and is never given to another
student in any version (hard copy or electronic) knowing that it might be submitted for
grading as the work of another student.
In order to prevent a student from gaining an unfair advantage, these behaviors will result
in the following:
1) Grade of zero – all students involved will earn a zero for the work
2) Documentation- the incident will be recorded and a parent conference will be held
Introduction: The DC Theatre II program will be performance-based. Acting will be our
primary focus, in preparation for Theatre performances. Some will be required, some will
be optional.
*If there is a conflict with a required performance date, the parent must call the Drama
office and speak to Ms. Ousley about the reason for the conflict a minimum of four weeks
prior to the scheduled required performance.
* If a student develops a pattern of missing required performances, regardless of the
reason, the student will risk losing field trip and special event privileges.
*Missing a required campus performance will result in the student’s letter grade being
dropped by one letter.
-Remember, a performance is a culmination of many, many weeks of work!
Course Description: Theater students will be exploring careers in theater, and the
different ways theater experience can enhance any career. Students will practice the rules
of audience etiquette. They will learn about theater safety. They will gain a basic
understanding of different jobs found in the theater, and how they relate to the
performance aspect of theater. Basic costume and scenic design will be explored. They
will learn to analyze performances, as well as to receive critiques of their own
work. They will study how the arts connect to trends and history. They will rehearse and
perform monologues and duo scenes, using appropriate vocal and physical techniques,
including blocking and movement. They will perform in an ensemble scene, and take on
a technical role, in addition to their performance role. They will be able to tell why each
character in a given scene is important to that scene. They will develop an original scene,
including character development. They will study theater history, pantomime and they
will do lots and lots of fun improvisation through game activities used by real actors, in
real theaters.
The THREE P’s: Presence, Preparation and Participation are KEY!
Presence: The student must be present to participate and learn.
Preparation: Students must have rehearsed and prepared in order to present an effective
and complete assignment
Participation: If you are paying attention, and participating, you will have no problem
succeeding in this class.
Course Length: Year-long
Course Outline: The content will include, but not be limited to:
• Physicality
• Movement
• Body Language
• Mime and Pantomime
• Masks
• Vocal Production
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Improvisation
Audience Etiquette
Theatre Terminology
Theatre History
Dramatic Literature
Artistic Discipline
Drama Therapy
Drama in Medicine
Careers in Theatre
Artistic Critique
Class Structure: (subject to change based on the needs of the lesson)
Writing/Reflection/ Bell ringer (Theatre quote of the day)
Class Mini Lesson
Physical/Vocal warm-ups
Improv game, Rehearsal or Performance
Educational Materials Needed for Course:
• 2-Composition books and ½ inch three-ring binder with pockets and loose-leaf paper
(to be brought to class daily).
• Pencils and blue or black pens
• One box of tissues
• One bottle of hand sanitizer
• Highlighter
• Index cards (2 packs of 3x5 and 5x8)
Actor Rules:
1. Don't Miss Your Cue. Be on time and in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Bring Your Props. Have all your supplies including homework daily. 3. Know Your Lines. Complete your work and remain on task at all times.
4. No Upstaging Allowed. Be Courteous and Respect others at all times. Work
Together!!!
5. Keep Up the Energy. Be prepared to do your best and take a chance.
6. No Food or Drink in the Theatre (classroom). Only water bottles are allowed!
Consequences:
1. Meet With the Director... Student-Teacher
2. Contact the Producer... Parent-Teacher
3. Go See Your Agent... Admin.-Student
ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL ELIGIBILITY
Each student must maintain a 2.0 GPA to be academically eligible to participate in field
trips or contests of any kind. Each student must also have an acceptable disciplinary
record both in the drama classroom and on campus in order to participate in these events.
This means that each student’s tardies, absences, respectful Theatre classroom effort,
participation and behavior, and over-all campus disciplinary record will be taken into
account when planning social events, off-campus field trips, festivals, contests and other
activities. Final decisions will be made by the director. The general rule of thumb is if the
child struggles academically and/or behaviorally on campus, then the child will not be
permitted to travel off campus.
Student Evaluation:
Class Engagement: Class participation, cooperation with group activities, engagement in
class activities and learning, performing within class guidelines and expectations, eagerly
being involved in activities, completing classwork and homework assignments, being
prepared, having supplies, and no use electronic devices, etc. 25%
Theatre Audience Etiquette: Listening when others speak and perform, sitting quietly to
observe other student's efforts, being attentive when watching other student's work, no
use of electronic devices, observe talking requirements, sitting attentively, acceptable
theatre behavior during performances, etc.
25%
TH68.S.1.1-Describe the responsibilities of audience members, to the actors and each
other at live and recorded performances and demonstrate appropriate behavior.
Students may earn up to 25 points based on the following rubric:
I. ACTIVE LISTENING DURING PERFORMANCE AND CLASS
INSTRUCTION
WORTH 10 POINTS
II. AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE
WORTH 10 POINTS
• NO TALKING
• NO GETTING OUT OF SEAT (DURING PERFORMANCES, LECTURES AND
ORAL CRITIQUES)
• NO FOOD/GUM ETC.
• NO BEVERAGES (BOTTLE WATER ONLY)
• NO USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES (DURING CLASS PERIOD)
• NO BACK PACKS AT SEAT (MUST BE PUT UP IN SHELVES/CUBBIES, NOT
ON THE FLOOR)
III. CRITIQUE (ORAL AND WRITTEN) OF PERFORMANCE
WORTH 5 POINTS
STUDENTS WILL HAVE A MINIMUM OF 2 AND A MAXIMUM OF 10 THEATRE
ETIQUETTE GRADES PER QUARTER
Performance: Performances in class, school performances (required productions), tests,
script and character analysis and quizzes (Refer to Performance
Rubric)
25%
Students who are careful to show up, work hard, and follow directions with respect will
find that their grades will be high. Failure to do any of these things will result in lowered
grades.
Theatre Journal & Notes (Cornell) & Journal (Daily Quotes) Lecture, character,
scene, production and research notes, vocabulary, and daily quote
25%
Homework/Late Work Policy:
Part of being responsible in the work place is completing assignments on time. Late
written work will be accepted for 70% credit for 2 class periods from missed due date.
Late performance work will be accepted. However, you will lose 10% for every day that
the assignment is late.
Make-up Work Policy:
Regular attendance in each forty-five day grading period is necessary for a student to be
successful in school. Missing work shall be made-up for all absences, including
suspension. Make-up work shall be allowed for each day of absence. Your child may earn
up to full credit for such work submitted within 2 class meetings of absence(s).
Parent/Teacher Conference Information:
If you have a question about your son's/daughter's grade, please check the Grade Portal to
see if the teacher has left any notes about specific assignments. If you still have
questions, feel free to email the teacher directly. If you have more general questions
about your son/daughter’s overall academic progress, you can contact their school
counselor or you can call Mrs. Bennett in the counselors’ office to schedule an
appointment for a parent/teacher conference. Please remember that parent/teacher
conferences are only available on a limited basis and may not include all your child's
teachers. Please be specific when scheduling a conference to just those teachers that you
need to meet face-to-face.
Tutoring Schedule:
Tutoring will be available before school on an appointment basis. Every effort will be
made to ensure that each student develops artistically and is successful in Theatre.
Out of Class Performances and Rehearsals:
Students will have the opportunity to perform out of class if they choose to attend
performance field trips and be a part of performances held at Darnell-Cookman in the
evening that are sponsored by DC Thespians Drama Club (not class required
performances). These performances will provide an enriching experience for the student
and an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills that they have learned. There will
be ample notice given for students and parents as to the dates of the performances. These
dates will not conflict with other school calendar dates or testing (FSA, etc).
Photographs/Video:
Throughout the year, your child may be photographed or videoed at our events. The
photos/videos would be for our class purposes only. Some photos may go on my class
website to share. Check the signature page for the appropriate box that will allow your
child to be photographed.
Parent Involvement:
A high quality drama program hinges on parent involvement!! There will be needs of
chaperones, decorators, fund raising assistance, performance apparel assistance, etc.
***All chaperones must have completed the district volunteer forms AND be
cleared with DCPS to supervise on ANY field trip!!!
Fund Raising Fund raising is necessary to purchase plays, and for sets, costumes, and
props, and to bring in guest artists. Fund raising is optional, but highly encouraged.