Theatre 1

2014 / 2015

Mr. Daniels

Materials Needed Daily:

  • Notebook for taking notes and/or quizzes
  • Any assignment due that day
  • pen/pencil
  • Positive Attitude

Classroom expectations:

  • Punctually attending class
  • Respecting the rights of classmates
  • Listening and following the directions of the instructor
  • Bringing “all” needed materials to class
  • Going to the restroom between class periods
  • Displaying a positive attitude
  • Maintaining honesty and integrity in all of your dealings
  • Strictly observing the school dress code
  • Dressing appropriately for class– wearing clothing that easily allows movement
  • Following all class rules

Punctuality is defined as being in the appropriate place at the conclusion of the tardy bell with all required materials ready to begin work. Compliance with the above expectations will lead to a successful experience for everyone in the classroom. Failure to meet the expectations will affect the students grade, citizenship and possible result in removal from class.

Course Description:

This course is designed as an introduction to the theatre. We will discuss several aspects of the theatre including theatre etiquette, acting, and dramatic structure. We will discover, through our study of theatre, how to better present ourselves and to improve our communication with our peers.

The following requirements need to be met to successfully complete this course:

  • Successful completion of all in class assignments.
  • See or read two plays a quarter
  • Participation in daily class activities
  • 1st quarter–Successful knowledge of essential theater vocabulary and etiquette
  • 2nd quarter–Demonstration of basic performance techniques

Quarterly Play Reports:

Each student is to see or read two plays a quarter, these do not include the plays we see or read as a class.

In order to due a proper report on a performance, this report must be turned in within a week of the performance. If the report is not turned in by the deadline, it will be worth ½ credit. The report must follow the below requirements:

  • typed
  • your name, class period, play, playwright, producing organization
  • plot summary
  • 1-2 paragraph character analysis

­pick one of the pivotal characters in the production

­discuss their use of body, voice, believability, objectives/tactics

  • 1 paragraph personal reaction
  • 1 paragraph audience etiquette

One play will be included on the midterm grade (due the Friday before midterm) and the second will be added for the final quarter grade (due the Friday before the quarter ends). I will inform the class of any new productions being performed in our area and all the show details.

Grading:

Daily participation points are given, 10 points per day. 5 of those points are awarded to students who are on time with their required materials for the day. When a student is absent, there is no way to make up the activities, discussions and interactions that took place: therefore, those participation points cannot be made up. In addition to participation points, grades will be given for assignments, quizzes, tests and performances. All assignments are due at the beginning of the period the day specified.

Grading Scale:

The following is the grading scale for this class. Points will be given for participation, assignments, quizzes and tests. The points will be converted to percentages and the percentages will be assigned a letter grade.

A100-94 B- 82-80 D+ 69-67

A- 93-90C+79-77D66-63

B+89-86 C 76-73 D- 62-60

B85-83 C- 72-70 F 59 or below

Grades will be posted to the Internet at the conclusion of each week. If you have any other questions please contact me.

Earning Credit

In order to earn the credit and academic grade for each quarter, students must demonstrate competency on identified skills. Proficiency assessments will be given throughout the quarter, and students must earn a score of 90% or better on each one.

Quarter oneSuccessful knowledge of essential theater vocabulary and etiquette

Quarter twoDemonstration of basic performance technique

Attendance and Citizenship:

Attendance and citizenship are done according to WHS policy and they are separate from you letter grade. However since theater is participation class, naturally daily attendance is important. Assignments are done in class each day and several of these can not be made up. I strongly encourage you to be in class each day. If you know you are going to be absent, please let me know ahead of time so arrangements can be made. The usual citizenship grade for students in my class is an S, which means the student demonstrates acceptable behavior. The H citizenship grade will only be given when a student exhibits exemplary behavior. Citizenship grades will be based on teacher observation of the following behaviors: sitting in your assigned seat when the bell rings with the necessary materials, raising your hand to ask questions or make appropriate comments, not disturbing others, paying attention to and taking notes, working on assignments in class when time is given, not bringing food or drink into the classroom, not defacing books, desks, chairs or any other property belonging to other people, using appropriate classroom language, behaving respectfully toward other students, the teacher or substitute teachers.

Make up work:

Make-up work is permitted under certain conditions.

  • Green slipped activities
  • Serious illness excused by a note from the parent
  • Additional conditions at the discretion of Mr. Daniels

Missed work must be made up within two class days. Each student is responsible to find out what was missed. If the student misses a group presentation that cannot be made up then an alternative assignment will be given. The same 2 day rule applies to missed tests.

Extra Credit:

Each quarter the student may earn extra credit in two ways.

  • Complete one extra play report
  • Participate in performances, ushering, working on publicity, etc.

Extra credit projects must be approved by Mr. Daniels

  • There is a $15 district participation fee for this class. This fee must be paid to the school bookkeeper before midterms.

Questions and Problems:

If a question or problem arises please get in touch with me as soon as possible. I can not attempt to fix a problem or answer a question if I do not know that one exists. Also, I need to know about the problem while there is still time to do something about it. Calling the last day of the quarter is not going to help you. I am available 7:15-7:35, and always during EO. After school is a difficult time to reach me due to rehearsals for productions. E-mail is a great form of communication!!! Please email me with any questions If you need to speak to me, please call the school and leave your name, the student’s name, and the numbers where you can be reached. I will do my best to return your calls and email as soon as possible. An open line of communication is very important!!

I am very excited to begin a new year! I can’t wait to get started.

Mr. Daniels

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN

Student’s Name (Printed)______Date______

I have thoroughly reviewed the disclosure statement for the Mr. Daniels’ class. I am aware of and will support the academic grading standards, citizenship grading standards, and classroom policies and expectations as described. I am keeping the descriptive portion of the statement for future reference.

Student’s Signature______Date______

Parent’s Signature______Date______